Lots of things can happen in a job interview, but nothing will get you more in trouble than yourself. Think about it - if you had said that or not said the other thing, how differently would something have been?
For argument sake, I would like to brush past a few things that even common sense should rule but probably won't. It seems like in some cases, the mouth is fully engaged while the common sense part of the brain is on vacation. Here are a few examples of things I don't believe should be in a job interview.
It's a pretty poor idea to bad mouth the place you were working before, unless you don't want the interview in the first place. You have to remember that the interviewer will probably be checking your references and past job history. I'm not saying to lie about the situation, but be honest with your answer. You either quit or was released for the following reasons --- be clear but stick to the facts. Don't embellish anything.
Involving your family or outside problems is in very poor taste. You aren't being interviewed about anything other than the job you are applying for. This interview is owned by the person interviewing you, not the other way around. While we are on this subject, that desk is very personal very private property. NEVER put anything of yours on the desk unless you have been asked to do so. I would NEVER accept anything, a drink or whatever in an interview. If you get a drink, what are you gonna do with it? Hold it?? You sure better NOT put it on the corner of the desk.
Leave the "slang words" at home. "Dude" or "bro" are close and personal slang for your friends. This person that's interviewing is NOT your friend, no matter how it comes across to you. Use better English. Show the interviewer that you have some education and intelligence and know how to us it. Also -- no jokes -- ever. Just don't do it.
Turn off your cell phone. Better yet, leave it at home.
Do your research! Look into the company you will be interviewing for and find out what they do, what they manufacture (if anything) and how they fit in the business world. Imagine your success of applying to the Boeing Company (makes airplanes) and your application is for a bus driver, a position that was NOT even advertised. What will your success rate be? Think about it. It might be a good idea to ask the interviewer about the long term plans of the company as that information isn't usually available and you want to prove to the interviewer that you are interested in a long term commitment.
Have you been in a fight with your girlfriend (spouse etc), in anger management training, maybe wanting to flirt with the interviewer or flirting with the admin assistant? All of these are pretty dumb - no - just plain OUTRAGEOUS! If you try it, you're on the freeway to failure. You are in that interview for one reason - get the job, and nothing else.
Maybe you're on some kind of medication - not a good idea to continue with the interview unless it is a med that is permanent - such as something for diabetes but NEVER for a cold or other type illness. Ask for a later interview before you get there, and explain why. Your respect quotient will be much higher if you're honest. Hot flashes ladies? Well, that's nature, so admit it - BUT - wear layered clothing so you can ease your discomfort but modesty does rule - remember it!
Family with bad karma - skeletons in the closet so to speak? Why talk about something that has absolutely nothing to do with your goal? If the interviewer insists, pass it off as "no big deal". Keep your focus on your goal - the interview. You must put the best image in front and keep it there.
Personal gain questions should probably be delayed until the second interview unless the interviewer brings it up. Asking about vacation time or off time holidays, pay matters, all the questions about your gain, not the company gains could be considered in poor taste. Just wait until either the second interview or when the interviewer brings the subject up.
You DO want to have questions for the interviewer, but they should be geared more to where the company plans are, not your personal gain comments. You want them to talk about the company - give them a chance to brag if that's what comes, but show interest in their needs, their ideas, their opinions.
Finally, RELAX, and be yourself (but with reservations). No smoking, no gum chewing, no crossed legs but feet flat on the floor, be neat and clean with clean clothes. Dress accordingly. You wouldn't wear a 3-piece suit for a truck driving job, but jeans and a tee shirt with a lot of printed crap won't do for a retail sales job either. Match yourself to what you are applying for.
There is no substitute for common sense, so think about what you're doing. If it doesn't feel right - it ISN'T!
For argument sake, I would like to brush past a few things that even common sense should rule but probably won't. It seems like in some cases, the mouth is fully engaged while the common sense part of the brain is on vacation. Here are a few examples of things I don't believe should be in a job interview.
It's a pretty poor idea to bad mouth the place you were working before, unless you don't want the interview in the first place. You have to remember that the interviewer will probably be checking your references and past job history. I'm not saying to lie about the situation, but be honest with your answer. You either quit or was released for the following reasons --- be clear but stick to the facts. Don't embellish anything.
Involving your family or outside problems is in very poor taste. You aren't being interviewed about anything other than the job you are applying for. This interview is owned by the person interviewing you, not the other way around. While we are on this subject, that desk is very personal very private property. NEVER put anything of yours on the desk unless you have been asked to do so. I would NEVER accept anything, a drink or whatever in an interview. If you get a drink, what are you gonna do with it? Hold it?? You sure better NOT put it on the corner of the desk.
Leave the "slang words" at home. "Dude" or "bro" are close and personal slang for your friends. This person that's interviewing is NOT your friend, no matter how it comes across to you. Use better English. Show the interviewer that you have some education and intelligence and know how to us it. Also -- no jokes -- ever. Just don't do it.
Turn off your cell phone. Better yet, leave it at home.
Do your research! Look into the company you will be interviewing for and find out what they do, what they manufacture (if anything) and how they fit in the business world. Imagine your success of applying to the Boeing Company (makes airplanes) and your application is for a bus driver, a position that was NOT even advertised. What will your success rate be? Think about it. It might be a good idea to ask the interviewer about the long term plans of the company as that information isn't usually available and you want to prove to the interviewer that you are interested in a long term commitment.
Have you been in a fight with your girlfriend (spouse etc), in anger management training, maybe wanting to flirt with the interviewer or flirting with the admin assistant? All of these are pretty dumb - no - just plain OUTRAGEOUS! If you try it, you're on the freeway to failure. You are in that interview for one reason - get the job, and nothing else.
Maybe you're on some kind of medication - not a good idea to continue with the interview unless it is a med that is permanent - such as something for diabetes but NEVER for a cold or other type illness. Ask for a later interview before you get there, and explain why. Your respect quotient will be much higher if you're honest. Hot flashes ladies? Well, that's nature, so admit it - BUT - wear layered clothing so you can ease your discomfort but modesty does rule - remember it!
Family with bad karma - skeletons in the closet so to speak? Why talk about something that has absolutely nothing to do with your goal? If the interviewer insists, pass it off as "no big deal". Keep your focus on your goal - the interview. You must put the best image in front and keep it there.
Personal gain questions should probably be delayed until the second interview unless the interviewer brings it up. Asking about vacation time or off time holidays, pay matters, all the questions about your gain, not the company gains could be considered in poor taste. Just wait until either the second interview or when the interviewer brings the subject up.
You DO want to have questions for the interviewer, but they should be geared more to where the company plans are, not your personal gain comments. You want them to talk about the company - give them a chance to brag if that's what comes, but show interest in their needs, their ideas, their opinions.
Finally, RELAX, and be yourself (but with reservations). No smoking, no gum chewing, no crossed legs but feet flat on the floor, be neat and clean with clean clothes. Dress accordingly. You wouldn't wear a 3-piece suit for a truck driving job, but jeans and a tee shirt with a lot of printed crap won't do for a retail sales job either. Match yourself to what you are applying for.
There is no substitute for common sense, so think about what you're doing. If it doesn't feel right - it ISN'T!
Roy is retired military as a radar controller, both Airborne and Ground. Spent 9 years as a Radio Announcer and retired from the corporate world after 14 years as an information analyst, working with classified information for a computer chip manufacturer. Roy is a commercial pilot (ASEL) and has a degree in Interstate Commerce Commission law. Ezine Articles Expert Author.
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