When you enter an interview room you should stand up straight, introduce yourself to everyone present and shake their hands (firmly, but not too tightly!). Give everyone your name and be sure to ask for theirs in return. Every person you interact with while in the office, from the people you interview with to the person who greets you on reception, will have a chance to give input on your potential as a new hire so avoid the mistake of making a bad impression in your first few seconds.
Not knowing your own resume
Companies today are on the lookout for people who have embellished on their resume. With this in mind, many companies will test your knowledge of your own resume! It might sound a little crazy, but if you don’t have a good handle on what you’ve written down, you’re definitely going to trigger some red flags. Exployers expect you to speak intelligently about your job history and any other information on your resume. Remember that the resume is the road map for the interview, so be ready to answer questions based on its content.
Not knowing what the company does
The time to research the company you’re interviewing with is before the interview, rather than after. If you appear to lack knowledge of what the company does, they will take notice. No one expects you to have a full understanding of the company’s proprietary business model, but they will expect you to have knowledge of major products, important clients and the company’s main values. On this note, you should be prepared to sell how you fit in with that company’s overall plan.
Asking the same old questions
Some interviewers believe that the ability to ask questions is paramount. Not asking thoughtful questions, or worse, not asking any questions at all, can give them a reason to cross you off their list. Throughout your interview, focus on what the interviewer is saying so you don’t ask him or her to repeat something they’ve already covered. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of questions that you should have found the answer to in your pre-interview research. Additionally, Avoid asking about salary or taking time off and instead focus on the company’s approach to professional development or how they measure success. The more you can engage with the interviewer through thoughtful questions, the better your chance of making an impression and being offered the job.
Interviews can be stressful and there are plenty of opportunities to make mistakes. No one expects you to be perfect, but you should avoid the big pitfalls listed here.
Preparing for your next job interview? Make sure you get there with an outstanding CV. Watch our recent video 7 tips to perfect your CV. For additional tips and advice visit www.est10.com.au/tips-and-advice and www.est10.com.au/blog