Being Aware is always better …

Seeing the perfect job at the right time isn’t enough.

Having a “kick-ass” resume and cover letter isn’t enough.

Those are important, but getting an interview, performing well, and following up make all the difference.

Too often, with the job in sight, many people stumble with the interview or fail to follow up. Just like an overconfident race car driver, we crash in the final corner of our job search race because we disqualify ourselves, and often, we don’t ever know why.

I know the reason for many people. It’s not that they are not qualified, it’s not that they aren’t good people; it’s because they make self-inflicted mistakes when doing their interview.

Having done hundreds of interviews each year and now coaching others, I’ve seen critical, repeated mistakes that cause people to stumble at the end of their job search.

You need to stand out. Interviewers commonly select a number of qualified applicants for their interviews. Congratulations if you have gotten an interview, because many people will not. Your cover letter and resume have done their jobs; now it is your turn. For example, if an interviewer has selected five people to be interviewed, likely any one of you could do the job; however, you have to demonstrate that you are the best candidate. You can do this by being better prepared than everyone else, and this is easier than you might believe because most people do not practice their interview skills.

Not using an employer-centric perspective when answering questions. When being interviewed, answer each question asked with the intention of solving the employer’s problem (from the job description). Yes, the interview wants to know about you, but your job is to show them you have the skills, attitude, and behavior to solve their employment needs. For example, “Tell me about yourself” is a common question; don’t provide a mini history of your life to this point, tell them about the 4-6 key points from their advertisement and how you have those skills. Most interviewers care more about how and why you answer than the answer itself. Handling nerves and thinking on your feet helps you stand out. Practice improves your answers. Aim for at least four points per question.

Not bringing notes to the interview. Bringing a small notebook to an interview is allowed. Use it when an interviewer asks if you have any questions for them. For example, prior to the interview, prepare 6-8 questions for the interviewer, and based on the questions and answers to that point, when they ask if you have questions, open your book to the correct page and ask 2-3 of your questions. Few people do this, and you will stand out.

Not realizing some questions are the same … on purpose. The interview questions “Tell me about yourself” and “Why should we hire you?” have essentially the same answer, and they are usually the first and last interview questions. This is not an accident or a mistake; both questions reflect your need to standout and demonstrate that you know and understand what they are looking for in an applicant and that you show them you have those skills.

What are your preferred hours? This is a trap interview question. Remember, the interview is created to find the best person to fill the employer’s needs, not necessarily your needs. Employers often want maximum flexibility in their new hires, and any applicant who limits their availability does so at their peril. For example, many retailers will not hire people who are not available to work any of the hours they are staffed because of the problems that would create with their existing team; so, anyone who writes down Monday to Friday day shift will not get the job because everyone wants those hours.

Going to the wrong place –How can this ever happen? It does. For example, many years ago, I managed a retail business with a competitor located next door. A person arrived one day and announced they were here for their interview. They became quite indignant that we did not remember scheduling their interview, to the point of almost accusing us of fraud. It wasn’t until the applicant yelled at me, “I was supposed to be at (NAME OF THE COMPETITOR) at 2 pm for an interview.” I asked the person if they had happened to notice the name on the building, and they got a sick look of realization on their face. Not only had they gone to the wrong place, but they were also now late. I don’t think they got the job. Sometimes an organization will have more than one location; double-check the one you are supposed to be at; if you go to the wrong place, your chances of being hired decline dramatically.

Going at the wrong time. Arriving at the wrong time or being late can also kill your chances to stand out. For example, for in-person interviews, try to arrive at least 15 minutes early, which gives you a “buffer” in case traffic delays you, it gives you time to get organized, and most importantly, it gives you time to relax. If the interview is online, allow at least 5 minutes to deal with any technical issues.

Not dressing appropriately. The clothes you wear should be appropriate for the position; with social media, it is quite easy to see what is appropriate for that organization. For example, once, I had an interview for a position as the manager of a pet store, I wore a suit … very inappropriate for that business, and everyone who worked there knew I wasn’t going to get the job before I even got asked the first question.

Not looking like you are interested. In an interview, it is important to be interested and to look interested. There are many ways to do this, for example, sit up straight, lean forward slightly, get a good night’s sleep the night before so you are not yawning, smile, and be expressive. I have interviewed people who had all the skills we wanted, but they looked like they would rather be anywhere else but in my office, and we did not hire them.

Not treating our staff with respect. Chemistry is really important to good organizations, and chemistry’s foundation is respect. For example, if your interview is in-person, take the time to treat the receptionist and any other associate of the organization well, be polite, smile, and don’t underestimate the importance of this point.

Not preparing (1) – not knowing how much to answer a question. Typically, each question should generate a two to four-minute response. Always try to frame your answers to present yourself positively and to stand out. As a note, replying with a simple “yes or no” answer in an interview is never a good thing.

Not preparing (2) – not knowing how to use the STAR technique for situational/behavioral interview questions. These types of questions usually begin with “Tell me about a time when … or What would you do if …” and they are asked because your past behavior is usually a good indicator of your future behavior. The acronym means Situation, Task, Action, Result, and keeps your answer focused and concise.

Not preparing (3) – not knowing the job advertisement. Few things will discredit you faster than asking questions that you should already know. The job advertisement should be the basis for your cover letter, resume, and how you prepare for the interview; not knowing the employer’s needs is a guarantee to failure. For example, recently, an applicant I was interviewing asked about the wage rate, which was on the second or third line of the job advertisement and they hadn’t noticed. While not fatal, they ultimately hurt their chances because we knew they had not read the job description.

Not preparing (4) – failing to research the organization prior to an interview. An extremely easy way to stand out is to research the organization interviewing you. Learn about the organization, what their mission is, what they are proud of, and what makes them unique. Social media and a Google search make it easier than ever to gain a competitive edge over other applicants. For example, I coach job seekers to do 20-30 minutes of research prior to a 20–30-minute interview to prepare.

Not listening to what the interviewer is saying. Active listening is a great skill, especially in an interview. Often in stressful situations, we can be guilty of anticipating what someone is going to say and miss important nuances. Listen until the interviewer is finished asking a question, pause for a moment or two, collect your thoughts, and then answer their question. For example, I have seen many good applicants lose a job that was virtually theirs because they weren’t listening properly and did not actually answer the question they were asked or failed to stay focused and went off on an ill-advised tangent.

Not Preparing (5) – What are you missing? Interviewers are searching for the “perfect” candidate. In reality, it is rare for someone to apply that is “perfect.” As a result, organizations interview to find the “best available” candidate. For example, to succeed in an interview, a successful applicant needs to acknowledge any shortcomings prior to the interview and prepare ways to compensate for any of their missing skills. Unfortunately, few applicants are this prepared, and subsequently, they fail to stand out in comparison to other candidates.

Not acknowledging and/or addressing each interviewer. If more than one person is interviewing you, address each person with your responses. Additionally, never make assumptions about who is “in charge.” For example, making an assumption based on age or on the sex of an interviewer can unknowingly ruin your ability to stand out (positively) and reduce your chances of being hired.

Being dumb. At the risk of being flippant, this is one of the most common mistakes that applicants make. For example, some people have criticized our organization, commented on how poor our website was, and complained about how messy or unorganized my office might be. Each of these applicants had forgotten that this criticism isn’t helpful and, in fact, makes them stand out for the wrong reasons. There is a time to make criticisms; an interview isn’t one of them. Additional examples include chewing gum during an interview, bringing a coffee, wearing a toque, and wearing too much cologne or perfume.

Being too nervous. Interviews are high-stress situations, and everyone understands that. Never assume that the interviewer isn’t nervous as well, particularly when attending an interview in a small or medium-sized organization. A good strategy is to prepare, be early, and try to answer each question. For example, if you notice your hands shaking, keep them on your lap and take deep breaths. Prior to the interview, practice mock interviews and on your list of questions for them, write down a reminder to yourself to highlight what you can do for their organization. Too many times, applicants forget this easy way to stand out.

Not having a list of references or using references without their knowledge. Not every organization checks references, but enough do that not appreciating the importance of references can be a fatal error for your interview success. For example, your references should know you are looking for work, they should be prepared and willing to help you, and they should never be related to you.

Failing to self-correct. Having good interview skills is a learned behavior; you will make mistakes. Few people take the time to develop their skills. For example, after each interview, ask yourself: (1) What did I do well or right? (2) What did I do wrong or what could I improve? and (3) What would I do differently next time?

Not getting help. Not getting an interview can be crushing, but failing to improve will only perpetuate more failure. Help is available. For example, career advisors like me are available in most communities. Attend free workshops to develop your resume, cover letters, job searches, and most importantly, practice mock interviews before you have an interview. Nobody is perfect the first time, or even the tenth time. Just keep trying, keep improving, and never give up.

Failing to follow up. I always found waiting for a call back after an interview to be the worst part of my job search. As an interviewer, I appreciate those feelings. Ask in the interview what their time frame for making a decision is. For example, follow-up with a “thank-you” email within 24 hours, thank the interviewers, and emphasize your excitement for the position. If the time indicated passes, follow up with a call. If they have hired someone else, be polite and stay positive. Tell the interviewer that you appreciate their time and to keep you in mind if the situation changes and ask for their opinion on anything that you might do better in a future interview.

Remember, interviews are how organizations find the right “fit.” Getting an interview is a sign that people value your skills, experience, and behavior.

Prepare, be organized, and be calm (as much as you can). Interviewers are looking for reasons to hire and/or not hire you; make sure that you don’t accidentally give them a reason for the latter. Just like the racing car driver in the opening analogy, winning races isn’t about how fast you can go in a straight line; winning is about how well you get through the corners, and it is about how prepared you are.

Good luck,

Paul