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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.

I know that it can be frustrating searching for a job and it’s hard to understand why you have done everything you are supposed to.  You updated your resume, you have applied for many jobs and continue to do so every day, you have gotten hip to social networking, and you network as often as you can.  So why are you still unemployed?  It’s easy to think it’s the employers and it possibly could be, but what if it’s you?

I review resumes and conduct interviews every day and most often I rarely meet the perfect candidates.  I wish that I could explain to candidates why they aren’t getting hired but I can’t.  I can share with you what I see every day and maybe it can help you.

Here are a few reasons that I myself have passed on applicants; think about your job search and if you are guilty of any of these.

1. I’ve said this before- DO NOT LIE!
Any lies no matter how big or small that you tell on your résumé or in an interview, will come back to haunt you.  Everything you tell an employer can be discovered , so be smart and be honest from the beginning.  If you’re concerned about something in your past, lying about it is not going to help you.

2. You have a potty mouth
It’s certainly tempting to tell anyone who will listen how big of a (insert expletive here) your current or previous boss is, but a hiring manager is not that person. Talking negatively about current or previous employers is one of the biggest mistakes a candidate can make. Instead find a way to turn those negative things job into positives. If you can’t get along with your co-workers, for example, tell the prospective employer that you’re looking for a work environment where you feel like you’re part of a team and your current position doesn’t allow for that kind of atmosphere. Keep in mind that if like to work independently and you are interested in a position that requires team participation and collaboration, consider that this position might not be right for you.

3. You are not in for the long haul
Employers want people in their organization to be dedicated, commited and there for the long run.  It’s best to show that you want to and can grow with the company. I had an applicant answer this question like this.  “Where do you see yourself in five years?  I hope to get my foot in the door and then hopefully move into a marketing or creative position.”  She was interviewing for an Accounts Receivable position.  The Hiring Manager and team were completely turned off and as you guessed it, the candidate was declined.  I cringe when I hear the words “I just want to get my foot in the door.”  Instead turn it around and ask the employer “what do you envision my career path would be?”

4. You have serious digital dirt
Social networking sites and online searches are the newest way that many employers are checking up on prospective hires. Remember to keep your online presence clean and professional.

5. You haven’t done your homework
I find it very irritating when a candidate comes to the interivew with no knowledge of the company or the position he/she is applying for.   Another pet peeve,  not asking questions.  It makes a candidate sound uninterested.  Do your homework before an interview. Explore the company online, prepare answers to questions and have someone give you a mock interview.  Prepare questions for your interviewer as well.  The more prepared you are, the more employers will take you seriously.

6. You were a little too personal
Hiring Managers don’t need to know about your activities out of work or the church you attend, and definitely don’t share your medical history or financial problems.  Not only does personal information offend some people, but anytime you talk about topics such as your hobbies, race, age or religion, you’re setting yourself up for bias. Though it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against applicants because of any of these factors, some will do so, regardless.

8. You were more interested in the $$$
As a general rule of thumb, you should never bring up salary before the employer does. Doing so is tacky and makes the employer think that you care about the money involved, not about helping the employer succeed. If the topic does arise, however, be honest about your salary history. Employers can verify your salary in a matter of minutes these days, so lying only makes you look bad.

9. You didn’t give examples
Hiring managers want people who can prove that they will increase the organization’s revenues, decrease its costs or help it succeed in some way. It’s important to demonstrate to an employer that you are going to help the company. Always have examples and share the specific results of that situation to allow an employer to see that you truly have abilities and skills that will be a benefit to them.

10. You don’t have enough experience
I seriously wonder if candidates read job postings and descriptions fully.  As a Recruiter I realize that our managers don’t have as much time as they used to to train and mentor new employees. So, the more experience you have, the more likely you are to hit the ground running without a lot of hand-holding.  The best way to show that you know what you’re doing is to give the employer concrete examples of your experience and how it relates to the position.

I do understand how hard it is to find a job these days but remember that it’s up to you to present the best of your skills and abilities so that you can show that employer you are the right person for the job.

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.

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?”.