Job Seekers Are Still Sabotaging Interviews

A job interview is a high-stakes competition that you can’t always win, but when your losses start piling up, it might be time to look for the flaws in your technique. Successful job interviews rarely have a dull, uncomfortable or abrupt ending, so stay alert to signs that an interviewer is turned off by your comments or behavior. Follow these tips to prevent avoidable mistakes from sabotaging your chances of landing the job.

1. Be on Time

Job hunting is time-consuming, especially if you’re already employed, but that does not give you permission to waste an interviewer’s time. Always aim to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the job interview, and use GPS as a backup when navigating unfamiliar areas. Interviewers may downplay the lateness, but in reality, they’re making mental notes about your lack of reliability. Bring the same mentality to your digital communications, making sure you respond to phone calls and emails promptly.

2. Open Up to Your Interviewer

Save the brevity for your application, and use the job interview to share engaging details hiring managers can only get from you. Avoid terse “yes” or “no” answers that force your interviewer to dig for information. The hiring manager may simply decide to cut your session short and move on to a candidate who knows how to demonstrate communication skills. If your interviewers frequently repeat or rephrase questions, you need to put more effort into preparing your thoughts beforehand and listening closely to what others are saying.

3. Be on Your Best Behavior

Poor etiquette is a fast way to sink a job interview before it even starts. Everyone you encounter while waiting has the potential to share favorable or damaging information about you with the hiring manager. Avoid behaving rudely or impatiently toward the receptionist, and do not take phone calls before or during the interview. Make sure your appearance is professional, and avoid overly casual speech or behavior, such as making inappropriate jokes.

4. Always Have an Elevator Pitch

Your audition is not over when the formal job interview ends. Career coach Ashley Stahl recalls an occasion when she had a successful interview and the hiring manager enthusiastically introduced her to a senior manager in the elevator. When the senior manager casually asked why Stahl wanted to work for the company, she nervously rattled off a mediocre answer and noticed the disappointed look on the man’s face. When you’re handed an extra opportunity to make a memorable impression, don’t leave hiring managers questioning why they were initially impressed by you.

5. Follow Up

If you’re lucky enough to reach the job interview stage, show your gratitude by sending a personalized thank-you note. Follow-up notes let interviewers know you’re excited about the opportunity and keep your name fresh on their minds.

Job hunting is often a hit-or-miss experience, even when your skills are well-honed. Improve your odds by eliminating red flags that undermine your qualifications. Find a career coach, mentor or friend to help you practice mock job interviews so you can gain an unbiased perspective of potential weaknesses.

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