You’ve found the perfect job opening. It’s one you’re really passionate about, and you want everything to go well in the interview. Still, you’re nervous that it will end up just like all the others…disappointing. You don’t get the job even though you were convinced you had all the necessary qualifications and skills. So, what’s going wrong?
There are some fatal mistakes that job interviewers commonly make without realizing it:
- Bragging too much, going overboard about how perfect you are for the job
- Not asking questions
- Making up answers to questions you don’t know
- Answering with just a “yes” or “no”
Remember, there are no second chances or second impressions in a job interview so you need to brush up on your interview skills. Interviewing doesn’t come naturally; it’s a learned skill.
There are steps you can take to get past the nervousness:
Show confidence in your body language
Interviewers only need four minutes or less to decide whether or not they will hire you, so you must show confidence from the moment you step in the door.
Showing confidence is not about talking too much about yourself but through your smile, making eye contact, sitting up straight and understanding body language. Don’t play with your pen or constantly touch your face or hair. When an interviewer asks a question, use your body language to engage by leaning in and showing your interest.
Give answers with specifics
Simply stating “I’m good at solving crisis situations,” makes it hard for an interviewer to understand whether you’re a good fit or not. Always draw on your personal work experience and give examples of specific situations.
Avoid any negative expressions
Have you ever used these expressions in an interview: “I can’t,” “I didn’t,” or “I haven’t?” These negative responses will stay in an interviewer’s mind long after you’re gone so always try to use positive language. Instead of saying “I’ve never,” say “I’ve performed similar tasks…”
Show interest by asking specific questions
You’re missing out on a great opportunity to find out valuable information about the company when you don’t ask questions, and it could signal to the interviewer that you’re not really interested in the job.
You should try to be specific with your questions i.e. “For the position I’m applying to, are there any short-term and/or long-term goals that you can share with me?”
Know what’s in your resume
Many job applicants make one major mistake, they pull out an old resume and throw in a few new work experiences without going through it entirely. Then they get to the interview, and when the interviewer asks about something from their resume, they don’t know the answer because they can’t remember what was on it. Look over your resume carefully before the interview and make sure you know everything on it.
When you’re going into an interview, never depend on the interviewer to have copies of your resume. It’s always a good idea to carry a few extra copies with you and make sure you can find them easily instead of fumbling through your things. You risk looking unprofessional, which could cost you a job opportunity.
Your work experience will always help you on job interviews but practicing these skills will help you land the job!