Interview Mistakes To Avoid - Jobs/Vacancies - Nairaland
Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Jobs/Vacancies › Interview Mistakes To Avoid (873 Views)
1 Reply
| Interview Mistakes To Avoid by Recognise(op): 4:37pm On Jul 20, 2009 |
All the best . . . Job hunting has become a whole business in itself. There are yards of books about it, endless websites and even courses to help master interview technique. Most employers really just want to see the basics - punctual, groomed, articulate candidates - rather than scented CVs with full-colour photos (unless requested) and a lot of rambling from someone who clearly has no clue about the job or company. Now, we know you have got your act together, but just in case there are any lingering doubts about what could blow your chances of employment, here are 15 things to avoid . . . 1. Turning up late is a no-no. Even if you have a really good excuse. To be honest, unless you got run over by a bus on the way there and are in A&E then there is nothing else that will cut much ice. Aim to leave earlier than you need to and then leave half an hour ahead of that. You'll also look far less sweaty when you do arrive. 2. Not knowing anything about the market/company/job that your applying for is lame. It's insulting to your interviewer, will be spotted immediately and make you look like a time waster. There is no excuse now that almost every organisation or industry has a website or trade magazine. Do as much research as you can and be prepared to answer questions about why you want the job. * Ten things to do if you lose your job * Finding a job in a recession 3. Looking unprofessional, scruffy or - horror of horrors - grubby, is going to get you noticed for all the wrong reasons. Unless the dress code is specified then play it safe and go for smart. You don't have to splash out on new togs, just make sure that what you do have is clean, well-pressed and tidy, that your hair and nails are clean and jewellery and make-up are kept to a minimum. And that's just the boys. Shoes come in for scrutiny too so get the polish out the night before. 4. You may be nervous but if you don't listen carefully to the questions being asked then you won't come across well, so try to relax and focus. If you talk too much when you're nervous, practice with a friend to slow down and take breaths so your delivery is more balanced. 5. Have something to say and something to ask. Even taking shyness into account, interviewers have nothing to go on if you have nothing to say. So make sure you speak up and show that you know your stuff. Equally, have at least one - preferably two or three - questions to ask them at the end. It shows you're interested and have thought carefully about the role. Simple questions such as 'What do you think are the best things about working here?' will be better than nothing. 6. Pay and perks is a difficult subject and let's face it, it's the reason we all go to work. Wait until the end of the interview and if it has not been mentioned then I think it's perfectly acceptable to ask about 'the package'. You may be asked to give your current salary. This is a tough one. Some recruitment experts say never disclose this as it may cause the new company to offer you less. Others say you need to be grown up and open about it. If you want more money, make sure you know what the market - and company - will bear and then stick to your guns. 7. Know your weaknesses. I don't mean champagne truffles and X Factor. One popular question which seems harmless at first is the old classic 'What would you say your strengths and weaknesses are'. Hopefully you can rattle off a concise but impressive range of strengths but many people I have interviewed were stumped by weaknesses. It's tricky because you know you're not perfect, you just don't want to 'fess up to something that will blow your chances such as "I'm always late for everything" or "I'm always in debt". The solution is to find something that is not a turn-off but shows you're only human. I like to say something about 'being too enthusiastic at times' or 'finding it hard to switch off at weekends'. But be prepared for them to follow up with 'Why do you think that is a weakness?' * The 10 safest jobs * Is unemployment insurance for you? 8. Don't lie. Just don't. A candidate I interviewed who was then offered the job accepted it but then asked me for an urgent meeting where she revealed she had lied on her CV. Her fib was a strange one - she changed the class of degree she had to one higher. It was odd because the degree was not related to the job and not even a prerequisite. But when HR had asked for copies of her exam certificates she panicked. In the end, after much thought, I gave her the benefit of the doubt but she turned out to be hopeless so was let go after the probation period. The moral of this story is that if you lie you'll almost certainly get found out. 9. Resist any urges to bitch about your current or former employers, even if the interviewer makes negative comments or encourages you to do so. Chances are that you don't want to work for a firm with staff that behave so unprofessionally in interviews anyway. 10. Your family and friends may find your jokes and impressions hilarious at parties but don't be tempted to entertain at your interview. Forget the fact the last year's winner of The Apprentice did a 'reverse pterodactyl' in his. Just think 'David Brent' and move on. 11. Avoid too much personal detail. If the interviewer makes small talk for the first few minutes, tell them your journey was fine and perhaps mention the weather. Don't regale them with details of the packed train, point out your snagged tights and slump into a chair with a Venti latte saying you're hungover. 12. Presumably they have a copy of your CV in front of them but don't count on it. Bring several copies in case there is more than one person interviewing you. Make sure you know it inside out and have checked it at least 57 times for spelling, grammar and accuracy. Keep it short - to one page if possible. Personally, I'd ditch the 'hobbies' section too. If they really want to know, they will ask. 13. Turn your mobile phone off before you enter the building. 14. Don't swear. Even journalists don't swear at job interviews. 15. No one wants their knuckles crunched in a handshake but I'd rather have that than the 'wet fish' version which inspires no confidence. Make sure you have a firm, meaningful handshake and look the interviewer in the eye when you meet them and when you say goodbye. So many people don't. for SOURCE: Click here |
| Re: Interview Mistakes To Avoid by Boladave: 7:10pm On Jul 20, 2009 |
tanx so much 4 dat orientation. God bless u |
5 Mistakes To Avoid When Compiling Your CV • 10 Interview Mistakes And How To Avoid Them • Avoid These Oral Interview Mistakes • 2 • 3 • 4
On Zenithbank • Free Us Certifications To Boost Your Cv • Job Vacancy!