Four mistakes stand out as the ones most commonly made by candidates
interviewing for a position. In order of importance, they are:
A. Losing sight of the interview objective.
The objective is to get the job offer. This can't be over emphasized.
If you lose sight of this objective, be prepared for the unpleasant
consequences because the offer will likely go to someone else. Don't
let your preliminary judgment of the company affect your interviewing
technique and strategy.
B. Being too modest.
Candidates, especially for key technical positions, tend to understate
their capabilities. This doesn't mean you should overstate your
qualifications; it merely means that you should make the most of
what you have. Do not forget that knowledge of how to solve a particular
problem can be a strong qualification, even though that knowledge
may not have been applied directly in your job experience. Don't
let the fear of misrepresenting yourself prevent you from relating
the full scope of your experience and knowledge. A little modesty
is a good thing, but don't overdo it.
C. Asking too many "Me" questions.
Remember, your objective is to GET THE JOB OFFER. Chances are that
most of your questions in this area will be answered either by the
personnel department or the interviewers. Don't pursue questions
about what the company can do for your during the interview. Emphasize
your ability to contribute to the company's goals. There will be
a time to ask "me" questions after you get the offer –
not during the interview. If you leave the impression that salary
and related perks are your number one goal, be prepared to accept
the inevitable consequence of having the offer go elsewhere.
D. Failure to "sell" your abilities throughout
the interview sequence.
There is no such thing as a token interview. It may be true that
some people you interview have no power to hire you, but they certainly
have the power to keep you from getting the offer. You should treat
every interviewer as the person responsible for you getting the
job. Do not treat anyone you meet as unimportant. Do no even allow
yourself to think an interviewer to be less important than others.
Never depend on someone else to sell your abilities to others. Make
the strong and positive pitch yourself.
Preparing for the Interview
What are Employers Really
Looking For in the Job Interview?
Common Interviewing Mistakes
Typical Tough Questions
The Anatomy Of The Interview
Post Interview Tips