“When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges.”
- Jack Handy
10. Dressing Down
Just because your
interview may be scheduled for Casual Friday, it doesn’t mean that you
can show up in jeans and an untucked shirt. Regardless of the job you’re
applying for, it’s important to dress for success by wearing a subdued
suit and tie with a minimal amount of bodacious bling. Conversely, it’s
also important not to overdress. Waltzing into your interview looking
like the Monopoly Man may make your prospective employer think that
you’re failing to take the process seriously. Play it safe and leave
your top hat and tails at home.
In today’s digital
age, it’s nearly impossible to get away with lies and embellishments on
your resume, so don’t even bother trying to pump yourself with
fabricated claims. After all, it’s only a matter of time before a new
employer discovers that you didn’t actually win eight gold medals at the
2008 Summer Olympic Games or that you didn’t personally broker a
Mid-East cease fire agreement during your summer vacation. Lying during
your interview can be grounds for dismissal later on -- and that’s no
lie.
No one wants to
hire a malcontent, so be prepared to bite your tongue when the
interviewer invariably asks you about your previous employer. Speaking
negatively about your last job -- even if it involved sorting monkey
feces or taste-testing expired dairy products -- will give the
interviewer the impression that you’re a difficult person to get along
with.
Everyone wants to
make a good first impression, but there’s a fine line between developing
a good rapport with your interviewer and becoming too familiar. Always
address your interviewer by their last name, unless directed otherwise,
and treat them in a courteous manner. Bear in mind that a job interview
also isn’t the place to try out your stand-up routine, so ditch your
opening line about the best thing about a redneck family fight (it’s the
make-up sex, of course), and concentrate instead on coming across as a
serious and responsible employee. There will be plenty of time to make
jokes in the lunch room once you actually land the job.
06. Saying too much
Contrary to popular
belief, a job interview isn’t all about you. It’s also a chance to
learn about the ins and outs of the company you’re hoping to join. Be
prepared to zip your lips for minutes at a time or otherwise you may
come across as domineering and needy. It’s also important to be careful
about the subjects you discuss. Although your interviewer will be
interested in hearing about your past accomplishments and aspirations,
they probably don’t need to hear about your bearded lady fetish or the
fact that you experience a burning sensation every time you pee.
05. Not knowing enough about the employer
Chances are you’ll
have several days to prepare for your interview, so make the most of
your time by learning about the company. If it's publicly traded, read
the most recent 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. If the company is privately held, start with its website.
The time before your interview is also the perfect occasion to update
your resume, so take the time to weed out all of those references who
are currently serving time in a federal correctional institution.
04. Discussing benefits too soon
Just as you should
never ask a woman her age, it’s also considered to be in bad taste to
discuss salary and benefits until you’ve been offered the job. Bringing
up the topic too soon will convince the interviewer that you have little
interest in the job beyond a monthly paycheck and your standard two
weeks of vacation time.
03. Rushing the Interview
Only a small
percentage of candidates ever make it to the interview stage, so try to
relax and enjoy the ride. Be prepared to be grilled for up to an hour
and avoid glancing at your watch or asking how long the interview will
last, since it gives the impression that you're late for a far more
important date.
02. Being overly Modest
Modesty may be a
virtue, but it won’t help you land a job. Your interview is the chance
for you to shine, so shelve your humility and highlight your strengths
and accomplishments -- just make sure to focus on those accomplishments
that are most relevant to the position for which you’re applying. After
all, the interviewer probably doesn’t have to know about your ability to
shotgun a dozen beers or the fact that you’re the state’s largest owner
of Michael Bolton memorabilia.
01. Arriving Late
A job interview
isn’t a party, so arriving casually late won’t score you any points.
Make sure to show up 10-15 minutes in advance and notify a receptionist
upon your arrival. Getting to your interview early will allow you to
familiarize yourself with a foreign environment, and if you’re lucky,
the waiting room may even have magazines from this decade.
Via — Link
Photos — © iStockPhoto.com
Via — Link
Photos — © iStockPhoto.com
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