We've all heard tales of job candidates who looked great on paper but who were absolute disasters in person. With fewer and fewer interview opportunities obtainable in this competitive market, it is essential to make the best feasible first impression. You can learn from the mistakes of others and avoid the top 10 worst interview blunders.
Poor handshake: The three-second handshake that starts the interview is your first opportunity to generate a great impression. But all often an interview is blown from the outset by an ineffective handshake. One time you have delivered a poor handshake, it is impossible to recover your efforts to build rapport. Here are some examples:
* The Limp Hand (or "dead fish"): Gives the impression of disinterest or weakness
* The Tips of the Fingers: Shows lack of ability to engage.
* The Arm Pump: Sincerity is open to doubt, much like a aggressive salesman.
Even if you are a seasoned professional, don't assume you have avoided these pitfalls. Your handshake may be telling more about you than you know. Ask for honest critiques from several friends who are not afraid to tell you the truth.
Speaking much: In my recruiting days, I abhorred over-talkative candidates. So did most of my client employers. Over-talking takes a couple of forms:
* Taking long to answer direct questions. The impression: This candidate cannot get to the point.
* Nervous talkers. The impression: This candidate is covering up something or is outright lying.
To keep away from either of these forms of over-talking, practice answering questions in a direct manner. Avoid nervous speaking by preparing for your interview with role-play
Speaking negatively about current or past employers/managers: The quickest way to speak yourself out of a brand spanking new job is to say negative things. Even if your last boss was Attila the Hun, never, never state your ill feelings about him/her. No matter how reasonable your complaints, you will come out the loser in the event you show that you disrespect your boss because the interviewer will assume that you would similarly trash him or her. When faced with the challenge of speaking about former employers, make positive you are prepared with a positive spin on your experiences.
Showing up late or early: One of the first lessons in job-search etiquette is to show up on time for interviews. Lots of job-seekers don't recognize, however, that showing up early often creates a poor first impression as well. Arriving over 10 minutes early for an interview is a dead giveaway that the job seeker has much time on his or her hands, much like the last one picked for the softball team. Don't diminish your candidate desirability by appearing desperate. Act as if your time were as valuable as the interviewer's. Always arrive on time, but never over 10 minutes early.
Treating the receptionist rudely: Since the first person you meet on an interview is usually a receptionist, this encounter represents the first impression you'll make. Don't mistake low rank for low input. Often that receptionist's job is to usher you in to your interview. The receptionist has the power to pave your way positively or negatively before you even set eyes on the interviewer. The interviewer may also solicit the receptionist's opinion of you after you leave.
Asking about benefits, holiday time or wage: What if a automobile salesman asked to see your credit document before allowing you to check drive the cars? That would be ridiculous, and you'd walk away in disgust. The effect is about the same when a job-seeker asks about benefits or other worker perks in the work of the first interview. Wait until you have won the employer over before beginning that discussion.
Not preparing for the interview: Nothing communicates disinterest like a candidate who has not bothered to do pre-interview research. On the flip side, the quickest way to a nice impression is to demonstrate your interest with a few well thought out questions that reflect your knowledge of their organization. [Editor's note: To make positive that you are prepared, see our article, The Final Guide to Job Interview Preparation.]
Verbal ticks: An ill-at-ease candidate never makes a nice impression. The first signs of nervousness are verbal ticks. All of us have them from time to time -- "umm," "like," "you know." Ignore the butterflies in your stomach and put up a front of calm confidence by avoiding verbal ticks. You can also sometimes avoid verbal ticks by pausing for a few seconds to collect your thoughts before each response.
One of the best ways to reduce or eliminate them is through role-play. Practice sharing your best success tales ahead of time, and you'll feel more relaxed in the work of the actual interview.
Not enough/too much eye contact: Either situation can generate a negative effect. Avoid eye contact and you'll appear shifty, untruthful, or disnterested; offer much eye contact, and you'll wear the interviewer out. In the event you sometimes have trouble with eye-contact balance, work this issue out ahead of time in an interview rehearsal with a mate.
Failure to match communication styles: It is impossible to make a nice first impression in the event you cannot communicate effectively with an interviewer. But you can basically change that situation by mirroring the way the interviewer treats you. For example:
* If the interviewer seems all business, don't try to loosen him/her up with a joke or story. Be succinct and businesslike
* If the interviewer is personable, try discussing his/her interests. Often the items on display in the office can offer a clue.
* If asked a direct query, answer directly. Then follow up by asking if more information is necessary.
Allowing the interviewer to set the tone of conversation can vastly improve your chances of making a favorable impression. You can put the interviewer at ease -- and make yourself appear more like him or her -- by mirroring his or her communication style.
Final Thoughts
as a powerful resume wins you a chance to interview, strong interview skills will win you consideration for the job. You already know that you won't earn an interview unless your resume sets you apart as a candidate of choice. Similarly, you ought to know that polishing your interview skills can mean the difference between getting the job offer -- and being a runner-up.
Start your job search with a resume that creates a stellar first impression, then back those facts up together with your strange interview skills. You will have made yourself a better candidate by avoiding these ten interview pitfalls. And no one will must speak about you as the candidate who "almost" got the job.
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