Six Interview Mistakes

Six Interview Mistakes

by Michael Neece, founder of Interview MasteryMonster Contributing Writer

It's tough to avoid typical interview traps if you're unsure whatthey are. Here are a half dozen to watch out for.

1. Confusing an Interview with an Interrogation.

Most candidates expect to be interrogated. An interrogation occurswhen one person asks all the questions and the other gives theanswers. An interview is a business conversation in which bothpeople ask and respond to questions. Candidates who expect to beinterrogated avoid asking questions, leaving the interviewer in therole of reluctant interrogator.

2. Making a So-Called Weakness Seem Positive.

Interviewers frequently ask candidates, "What are your weaknesses?"Conventional interview wisdom dictates that you highlight a weaknesslike "I'm a perfectionist," and turn it into a positive.Interviewers are not impressed, because they've probably heard thesame answer a hundred times. If you are asked this question,highlight a skill that you wish to improve upon and describe whatyou are doing to enhance your skill in this area. Interviewers don'tcare what your weaknesses are. They want to see how you handle thequestion and what your answer indicates about you.

3. Failing to Ask Questions.

Every interview concludes with the interviewer asking if you haveany questions. The worst thing to say is that you have no questions.Having no questions prepared indicates you are not interested andnot prepared. Interviewers are more impressed by the questions youask than the selling points you try to make. Before each interview,make a list of five questions you will ask. "I think a good questionis, `Can you tell me about your career?'" says Kent Kirch, directorof global recruiting at Deloitte. "Everybody likes to talk aboutthemselves, so you're probably pretty safe asking that question."

4. Researching the Company But Not Yourself.

Candidates intellectually prepare by researching the company. Mostjob seekers do not research themselves by taking inventory of theirexperience, knowledge and skills. Formulating a talent inventoryprepares you to immediately respond to any question about yourexperience. You must be prepared to discuss any part of yourbackground. Creating your talent inventory refreshes your memory andhelps you immediately remember experiences you would otherwise haveforgotten during the interview.

5. Leaving Your Cell Phone On.

We may live in a wired, always-available society, but a ringing cellphone is not appropriate for an interview. Turn it off before youenter the company.

6. Waiting for a Call.

Time is your enemy after the interview. After you send a thank-youemail and note to every interviewer, follow up a couple of dayslater with either a question or additional information. Try tocontact the person who can hire you, and assume that everyone youmet with has some say in the process. Additional information can bedetails about your talents, a recent competitor's press release orindustry trends. Your intention is to keep everyone's memory of youfresh.

Source : www.monster.com