Are You Making These Common Job Interview Mistakes?

Going to an interview without a plan of action is like going out on a football field without a game plan. Total disaster! Suppose I were to ask you right now.

"What are your skills or attributes?" Could you give a good answer?

Suppose I were to ask you the question that's in every interviewer's mind.

"Why should I hire you?" What would you say?

All of the interviewer's questions that you will see in this section have a purpose, and that is to put solid meaning into your interview preparation. So, do study them, all of them. Interviewers have different styles, some you will like better than others. The keys to any successful interview are the four B's.

Be likable
Be able to give complete answers
Be on time
Be yourself

Never forget, that first impressions are very important. They help the interviewer decide whether he or she wants to hire you or not. Please make sure that you take advantage of this tremendous information that is so powerful, that I am convinced, it will catapult your efforts. As you read the reasons for rejection given below, ask yourself how you would rate in relation to each. There are 5 areas that you as a job seeker must be aware. One high level interviewer says MOST of the applicants she sees are rejected for not attending to the items listed below.

YOUR APPEARANCE

Dress in clothes you would wear on the job. Wear conservative colors and avoid flashy fashions. Avoid too much jewelry or strong scents.

YOUR MANNERS

When you meet the interviewer, stand up, offer a strong handshake, and thank the interviewer for taking time to see you. In the interviewer's office, don't sit down until invited to do so. Address the interviewer as "Mr." Or "Ms." Unless they tell you otherwise. Accept a cup of coffee or a soft drink, if offered, but decline a cigarette or telephone, use a pay phone. If the telephone rings, don't appear to listen in to the conversation. Review your resume. If someone walks in during the interview, stand up to greet him or her. In concluding the interview, shake hands with the interviewer and again thank them for taking the time to see you.

YOUR BODY LANGUAGE

Stand up very straight. Do not exhibit nervous gestures by tapping your feet, drumming your fingers, twisting your hair, rocking in your chair, crossing and re-crossing your legs, etc. Take pride in who you are what you offer.

YOUR ATTITUDE

Attitude is the most important attribute for being hired. Through body language, facial expressions and gestures, you'll show that you are motivated to work. Look alive. Know the points you want to make and make them. Have an honest smile. Use your hands to illustrate points. Ask questions! Don't tell jokes, but do show humor.

REMAIN CALM

Some interviewers may seem to dislike you. Usually this isn't true. Their questions may seem personal or insulting. Don't get upset. Their job and the job you want may involve pressure. Before some interviewers offer a job, they want to see how well applicants can "take the heat". If you are offended, you may not get this job. When the interview is full of pressure, stay calm, cool, and polite. You may be tested by a "stress interview". If a question or other interviewer action truly is out of line, remind the interviewer in a polite but firm manner.

Brian Stephenson is the author of, "Job Search Boot Camp", the most hard-hitting, step-by-step job search course that takes each student by the hand and shows them how to create powerful resumes that get results, stunning cover letters that command interviews, and winning interview thank you letters that get you hired? Imagine for a moment what is possible for you if you had access to these forbidden secrets. For more information on the Job Search Boot Camp course, visit http://www.JobSearchBootCamp.com



Top 10 Super Job Interview Tips

Use these interview tips for job hunting success!It's a tough... Read More

Career Searching: A Vision Without A Plan is a Hallucination

Success is not always something you necessarily find when you... Read More

What is a Career Anyway?

A career is the sum total of all of your... Read More

Fuzzy Headed Job Goals Lead to a Fuzzy Headed Life!

May I clarify in this article what I believe to... Read More

What To Do When HR Calls...

Generally, when you present yourself as a prospective candidate for... Read More

Layoff Survival Guide - Do You Have The Career Management Horsepower It Will Take To Survive?

In a recent survey of over 662 career seekers, some... Read More

Surviving The Technical Interview

Ah, the technical interview. Nothing like it. Not only does... Read More

Reinvent Yourself in a New Career

Some people reserve the word "vocation" for religious calling. Contemporary... Read More

Business & Career: Know Your Ruling Star!

"Know your Ruling Star. One man is better received by... Read More

Are Your Intentions Clear in Your Job Search?

1. Do you REALLY know what you want?2. Do you... Read More

Online Resume Tips and Secrets

I manage a website for corporate flight attendants that features... Read More

Creating Your Own Luck

Losing my job in the last recession of... Read More

When Should You Update Your Job Skills?

With the U.S. economy still slumping and unemployment numbers barely... Read More

Preparing For An Interview

When preparing for an interview, you need to know your... Read More

How to Get Paid More Without Being Pretty or Good Looking

Guess what. The results are out they are ugly. Pretty... Read More

5 Tips for Customizing your Resume

Gone are the days of the bland, generic one-page resume.... Read More

How To Power Negotiate Your Next Bonus

A raise in your base salary is a permanent source... Read More

How to Answer The Most Difficult Interview Questions

The following 'difficult' questions are common to most tricky or... Read More

What Do Employees Wish for Most (And How To Get It)

What do many employees wish for at work? A bonus... Read More

Can Nurses Be Entrepreneurs?

Yes, Nurses can be entrepreneurs. In today's market place nursing... Read More

Using Recruiters: How To Get A Step Ahead Of The Crowd

When there is an opening to fill, a company has... Read More

Resume Success Factors--What Exactly Is A Resume Anyway?

You know you're good...real good. The problem, though, is that... Read More

Back to School for a Career Change

Q. I hate my job as a computer consultant. I... Read More

Free Resume Examples: More Is Better

If you ever studied any probability theory in high school... Read More

Corporate World: Jungle Or Paradise?

The road to the top is not easy, it is... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language: