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I just thought I’d write a short post about an article that a fellow blogger who writes Work Shouldn’t Suck shared with me this morning.  The article is called 50 Worst of the Worst (And Most Common) Job Interview Mistakes.

Karen Burns hits the nail on the head with her list of the worst, here are a few of my favorites from this list.

• Arriving late.
• Lighting up a cigarette, or smelling like a cigarette.
• Bad-mouthing your last boss.
• Forgetting the name of the person you’re interviewing with.
• Wearing a Bluetooth earpiece.
• Failing to research the employer in advance.
• Talking about salary requirements too soon.
• Being unable to explain how your strengths and abilities apply to the job in question.
• Asking no questions at all.
• Failing to listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying.
• Chewing gum, tobacco, your pen, your hair.
• Speaking rudely to the receptionist.
• Being too familiar and jokey.
• Sounding desperate.
• Oversharing.

These are just a few from Karen’s list, check the article out yourself.  It’s always good to prepare for an interview so take the time to do your research and ask a friend or peer if they can assist with a mock interview.  You’ll have a better chance of landing that position you really want and will be a success at standing out from other candidates.

Have a great day and good luck with your job search!

I’m an HR Generalist by day and blogger, well whenever I get the chance. I am not a strong writer, I truly just write from my heart and what I know. I participated in an interesting interview yesterday. We are hiring folks for our Distribution Center; shipping, receiving, putaway and pulling. These positions do not require a great deal of experience but you have to be willing to walk, stand, bend, lift heavy items and do quite a bit of repetitive work. The candidate we were interviewing listed the warehouse as her preference but when we got into the interview she never once talked about the position. She talked about getting into the company and hopefully moving into a role that would best utilize her talents and abilities.

What were her talents and abilities you ask? She had a varied background and her past jobs were in volunteer work, marketing and administrative work. She went on throughout the interview about her marketing experience, was vague about her past roles and responsibilities, her reasons for leaving and her accomplishments. She tried to wow us with large words, and went on about her existing relationship with past clients. I guess I don’t have to say we didn’t hire her. We might have considered her for a marketing position if she had wowed us but her interview didn’t give us what we needed to determine if she was worth pursuing.

I truly wish that I could tell each candidate what they do right and wrong. The thing is I can’t and even when I call them and let them know we are not moving forward they don’t ask. It’s like they don’t care. I’d hate to think that our economy has turned our pool of candidates into a dark, dreary pool. I know there are lots of folks in need of work and a pay check, but it’s still important to consider that you have to be truly interested and passionate about your work.

Your hard work sending out all those cover letters and résumés has finally paid off — you’ve been called in for a face-to-face job interview.

Congratulations!  But now is not the time to sit back and think about how you’re going to spend your new salary; you’ve got work to do. Keep in mind that in the competitive business world, there are sure to be dozens of other highly qualified candidates going after the same job. It’s important to make yourself stand out.  Now is the time to practice exactly how you will sell yourself to a prospective employer during that crucial first meeting.

Preparing for an interview is probably the most important phase of securing a new position. Everyone thinks it is easy until they enter a  room in front of a panel who are judging your every move and every word. Then, your nerves start working overtime.

An interview panel might include the hiring Manager, department managers and other team members.  It’s important to address your answers to all involved in the interview.

The more you prepare for an interview, the better your odds of securing a job offer will be.

Do your homework. Research the company beforehand so that you can showcase that knowledge during the interview. This will boost your credibility with the interviewer and will help you to formulate intelligent questions to ask your interviewer later.

Know where you’re going. Make sure to find out where the office is and how to get there. Do you know how long the trip will take? Do you have the name and phone number of the person you’ll be meeting with? Do you know how easy it is to park? Save yourself time and unnecessary stress by knowing these things before heading to the interview. You don’t want to make a bad impression so plan for traffic, and any other “challenges” that may come up.

Look the part. Your clothing should be neat, pressed, and professional looking. As it can be difficult to know the culture of the office environment beforehand, err on the side of conservative. Even if everyone’s wearing jeans when you arrive, you’re still probably better off having shown up in a suit.  Make sure to have a fresh haircut and clean, manicured nails. And Ladies watch the perfume and make up; remember less is more.

Rehearse beforehand. Prior to your interview, prepare answers to common questions the interviewer is likely to ask such as What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why do you want to work here? Why should we hire you? and the ever popular Tell me about yourself. Conduct a mock interview with a trusted friend or in the mirror as practice.

Secure your references. Find at least three key people — former supervisors, colleagues, or instructors — who are willing to serve as your professional references. Be sure to secure their permission beforehand, and be certain that they will speak highly of you if contacted by a potential employer.

Arrive early. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview. Visit the restroom and check your appearance in the mirror. Announce yourself to the receptionist to let him or her know that you have arrived and that you have an appointment. Turn your cell phone off so it doesn’t ring during your meeting. (I’m not kidding I had an applicant wear his Bluetooth into the interview)

Bring necessary documentation. Make a checklist of documents that you will need for the interview, and make sure that you have them in your briefcase before leaving home. These documents may include extra copies of your résumé, portfolio of writing samples or other professional work. If you are a recent graduate, you should also bring along your college transcripts.

Sell yourself. The interview is your chance to shine, so now is not the time to be humble. Develop a 25-second sales pitch or what some call an “elevator speech,” a compelling overview of why you? that can be recited in the time it takes to ride the elevator. It should include your strengths, your abilities, and what sets you uniquely apart from other applicants.

Don’t neglect to ask questions. Based on your earlier research, ask how the responsibilities of the open position relate to the company’s goals and plans for the future. Interviewers are often favorably impressed by candidates who show that they are knowledgeable about the organization.

Follow up. After the interview, don’t forget to send a handwritten note or friendly email thanking the interviewer for his or her time and consideration, as well as restating your interest and commitment to the position. If you don’t hear anything after one week, call to politely inquire when they will be making a final decision.

There is one thing you must remember that applies to everyone who interviews — don’t lie!

Remember to keep this in mind: Every interview is a valuable learning experience. Even if you don’t get this particular job, when the next interview rolls around, you’ll be much better prepared and more at ease with the whole process. All of which can go a long way to boosting your confidence and improving your chances of being offered the next job.

Lately, I’ve been encountering a lot of disgruntled, discouraged and downright negative job seekers. I understand that there are many folks out there seeking employment during one of the toughest economic climates in mine or for that matter anyone’s memory. I understand their frustration, they are spending many hours attending networking events and job fairs, sending resumes and applying on line and off for what seems like a small number of positions. Eventually that’s going to wear on anyone.

It’s truly not hard to understand why so many unemployed people have negative attitudes right now. I’m sure I wouldn’t enjoy being out of work or being rejected ( as it is I hate being the person to reject folks). It’s also tough being ignored or treated disrespectfully by hiring managers, HR people and flaky recruiters (I can say that cause I’m a Recruiter).

This is the problem; projecting a negative attitude will get you nowhere! Look at this way, every interview, every networking conversation, every email or online comment (Facebook, LinkedIn) transmits a message to the recipient that says I’m a whiny unhappy person and in turn is an indication as to what type of employee you’d be.

I often wonder if candidates just don’t know that you should never speak ill or negatively of a former employer during an interview. The reasons for this should be obvious. However, I do understand it’s probably very difficult to suppress those negative feelings. Unfortunately negativity can affect your entire outlook on life. The bottom line: no one wants to hire or work with a negative person! There is a principle I was taught by my current employer, “Maintain your power to succeed by choosing not to believe you are a victim. People with chips on their shoulders, who blame others for their plight and project negative vibes almost never get hired. This rejection then feeds their negativism, and the cycle repeats itself.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the interview process, it’s this: the number one factor that determines who gets hired and who doesn’t is NOT who is best qualified, who has the most experience or skills, or who has the best resume. It’s attitude! A majority of those that are hired are hired because people hire people they like and would like to be around. I wouldn’t want to work with someone who was cranky and negative all day, it makes for a very tough work life. Having enthusiasm for a position or a company, true passion for your work, a sense of humor, and a positive and optimistic outlook are the qualities that make a person attractive to others. You may try but it’s very hard to fake those qualities.

“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Abraham Lincoln

Now that you have started to actively market yourself to potential employers by utilizing tips contained in this bog, it’s time to learn more about interviews.
The biggest mistake in interviewing is not being fully prepared. Although your resume lands you the interview, it is ultimately the interview that will get you the job. So, being well prepared for an interviewer is crucial.

Here are a few simple tips that you can use to effectively interview:

1. Conduct Research – It’s important to be confident and prepared.  Conduct research on the company you have an interest in before applying to a job or showing up for an interview. By understanding and showing interest in the company, you can present the right skill sets based on the position details and also demonstrate the value you will bring to the organization.
2. Practice Makes Perfect.  I know this is cliche’ but it’s true. -  Practice interviewing.  Prepare for an interview by running through commonly asked questions.
3. This one is very important! Dress Professionally –When you are on an interview, you are marketing yourself as the best candidate for the job, so it’s important to dress professionally. Appropriate attire and good personal hygiene demonstrates that you are not only willing to take that extra step to look your best but also do your best.
4. Make a Positive First Impression – First impressions are critical. Arrive early, give a firm handshake and make eye contact throughout the interview. It is important to be confident, but most importantly, be yourself!
5. Really think about your responses – Behavioral interviewing is an ever-growing interview technique. Rather than merely telling the interviewer what you would do in a situation, demonstrate your knowledge skills and abilities by giving specific examples.  (BAR- Background, Action, Result)
6. Don’t answer to fast! As a Recruiter I’d rather hear a well thought out answer than a hurried, unspecific, sketchy one.   It’s ok to think about what you’re going to say before you answer (don’t worry about a little awkward silence).
7. Ask Questions – Express interest and willingness to learn about the company by asking questions and listening to details about the organization. This portion of the interview is your chance to shine. Not having any questions for the interviewer can show that you are uninterested and unprepared.
8. Follow Up – Reinforce to the Recruiter or Hiring Manager that you bring value to their organization by developing a well-written thank you note. A thank you note is an easy and surefire way to show your appreciation, reiterate you are the best candidate and demonstrate your initiative and follow-through. It is also appropriate to make a follow up call, unless instructed otherwise by the employer.

If you follow these tips you should have a better experience through the interview process and set yourself apart from other candidates.

Remember a while back I talked about asking your interviewer questions.  Ask A Manager has a post that I thought I’d share.  Here’s the questions her candidate asked her.

Thinking back to people who have been in this position previously, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great?

Just like she was beaming, I’d have to say if a candidate asked me this I’d do the same.

It’s rare to have an interview leave you speechless.  Most times I’m thinking “did they really say that?”.