Interview Blunders

If you’re looking for a new job, have been out of work for a while or have been on dozens of interviews – all to no avail, then here are a few reasons why you might not have been hired.  Applying a few ground rules will hopefully stack the odds in your favor next time.  So don’t make these mistakes…

Being late

Being late is a really bad sign.  Always time your journey and then add 10 minutes.

Nobody likes a wet fish! 

If you take nothing else away from this article – go and practice shaking hands.  A firm, genuine grip works best. 

The Resume From Hell

A badly written, scruffy resume which goes on for ages will never be read, and will never get you an interview. 

-       Print it on pristine clean paper, keep it short and to the point. 

-       Add all the relevant information so that an employer knows how to get in touch with you. 

-       Print it on white paper, with a regular font (i.e. Ariel, Verdana or Times New Roman). 

-       Include bullet points to save space. 

-       Include key areas where you have demonstrated expertise or a success. 

-       Try to keep it under 2 pages.

A Bad Attitude

Remember to be polite and courteous at all times.  When asked about your past experiences or why you left your previous job – don’t go on and on about how bad your last boss was or how badly you were treated. 

Is that your phone ringing?

I think the worst nightmare is your phone ringing during an interview, worse than that is having a ring tone that sounds like Lady Gaga, but the fatal mistake would be actually answering it, OR carrying on a lengthy conversation. 

Don’t be a smart a#@

Don’t spend the whole interview sitting with your hands behind your head, leaning back in your chair as if to say “yeah, I could do this job standing on my head”.  Of course you need to look confident, but don’t over do it.  Sit leaning forward, make eye contact, smile, be yourself and look interested.