Interviewing can be very similar to studying and passing a test in the sense that it helps to study the topic first and understand the principles. At least that’s what it seems when you are invited for an interview with a potential employer. When you fail to pass an exam there is usually feedback as to what answers were missed and how you could have answered them better.
An interview with a potential employer who is deciding whether to hire you is not as forgiving as a class project and will rarely offer feedback as to what you could have done better. It’s no secret that candidates who study the company and their products beforehand will generally outshine those who are unprepared and you could be missing out on the real feedback that employers will probably not tell you.
Here are some ways that you can fail an interview and while some actions might seem blatant, others are unintentional, yet these are real areas of concern from hiring managers.
Brief answers to interview questions. If you answer by giving brief responses it leaves the interviewer wanting to know more about you. Their job is not one of interrogation rather one of decision making, and in order to feel comfortable about you they need to know more.
Answering your phone during an interview. Interviewers are often bewildered when candidates bring cell phones and text during the interview process. When an applicant is texting their answer instead of talking it says volumes about his or her communication skills and judgment. Leave your phone on silence and out of sight unless you are expecting an emergency call; in that case, consider rescheduling the interview or letting the interviewer know up front.
Dressing inappropriately. Appearing in clothes that are tight or too loose suggests a lack of awareness. Never forget that you represent your employer and the first obvious signs will be how you dress. Flip-flops are great for the beach but not so much for an interview. A good rule of thumb is to inquire about dress attire before the interview — your job is to look as though you belong there rather than stand out for your individuality.
Using jargon to communicate. Save talking in short soundbites with your friends who understand what you are conveying rather than taking a chance with an employer who might be confused. Your job is to build rapport with the interviewer.
Being a know-it- all. You were invited to an interview for a good reason — the employer saw something in your background that interested them. A sure way to fail an interview is to send a perception that you are smarter than the interviewer.
Talking about benefits and pay. When candidates talk about their expectations before an offer has been made it sounds as though your focus is on your needs rather than the employer’s. Even though benefits and pay is important, bringing it up is a sign of your priorities.
Using humor. Humor is a powerful way to connect with people but the timing is crucial when meeting a potential employer. Using humor to deflect real issues such as, “Tell me about your last job,” can come across as evasive or a bad attitude, and does the opposite of connecting with the interviewer.
Every interview is an opportunity to learn, but it’s difficult to grow if you never discover the reason why you didn’t land the job. The underlying goal of an interview is to connect with the employer, communicate your skills and value and understand how you can help them solve their problems.
When you make mistakes like those listed, you create doubt with employers. You will have a much better chance of passing an interview to the offer stage when you are aware of your actions.
What have you learned about interviewing? Did the interviewer take the time to give you feedback?
