THE DOS AND DON’TS AT THE JOB INTERVIEW

AT THE JOB INTERVIEW

Many people have been rejected by interview panels for reasons which they were not told. They however, unknowingly continue to repeat the same mistakes over and over again at other interviews until they finally give up. At this point, depression and anger sets in and only God knows what fate awaits such unlucky ones. I have on a few occasions had the opportunity to council a few young ones on this subject, which I must say went a long way to help them achieve their goals. If this worked for them, why not you?

This article is meant to throw more light into some of the reasons why some people have been rejected and those who keep on getting rejected at these job interviews and the measures they could adopt to overcome them in future. The following steps will teach you most of the tips, tricks and techniques to overcome a future job interview rejection. Now please read on.

First of all, if you have been rejected by an organization from a job interview, I would recommend that you take some to go over all the details of the interview process. You may do this by recollecting everything you did and said at that job interview. Ask your self whether you were too assertive, too timid or perhaps even arrogant. You might also consider asking your self whether you were perhaps even too polite at all times.

Most job interview rejections are due to a combination of several factors which may have gone against you on that particular day. Some of these factors may have been brought about as a result of how you may have presented your self at that interview, how you dressed to that interview, how you comported your self, and perhaps what you may or may not have said at that job interview.

Here is a short list of interviewing DOS and DON'TS which you should find useful before your next interview or as a review tool to use after an interview rejection.

THE DOS.

1. ALWAYS ARRIVE EARLY.

Know the exact place and time of the interview. Most people seeking job interviews will not bother to take time off to visit the venue in advance to make sure that it is the right place. Make it a point to call the place and ask for the right directions and exact time of the interview and make it a point to try to get there one hour before time.

2. HAVE YOUR APPLICATION COMPLETELY FILLED OUT (IF AVAILABLE) BEFORE THE INTERVIEW.

Most people will wait until the very last minute before doing this. It is better to fill out all application forms as early as possible and where there are questions to be asked, do so and acquaint your self with all the relevant details before the interview date.

3. REMEMBER TO GREET YOUR INTERVIEWER BY LAST NAME
USING PROPER PRONUNCIATION.

Listen carefully to the name and title of your interviewer and make a mental or written note of it. Most interviewers are very particular about the pronunciation of their names so make sure you ask for the proper pronunciations before addressing them by their last names.

4. SHOW ENTHUSIASM BY EXTENDING A FIRM HANDSHAKE.

Most people will just enter the room and stand there until they are offered a handshake in greeting. Be assertive and make the first move in confidence and boldness. Most interviewers will be impressed with such an attitude.

5. BE AWARE OF YOUR POSTURE AT ALL TIMES.

Show confidence in your body language. Smile! Show that bright smile on your face to possibly charm the interviewers. It often pays very much to have a smile on your face than a frown.

6. BE A GOOD LISTENER.

Listen more and talk less at that interview. By paying more attention to what is being asked, it will give you more time to think properly about what to say in reply. Most people tend to talk too much and this attitude tends to irritate most interviewers. Always go straight to the point and do not beat about the bush.

7. MAKE COMFORTABLE EYE CONTACT THROUGHOUT THE INTERVIEW.

Most people look away from the interviewer while answering questions and this is not a good attitude at all. Infact this kind of attitude rather shows signs of disrespect to the interview panel so try to avoid doing that.

8. BE FACTUAL AND SINCERE IN ALL OF YOUR RESPONSES.

Do not try to impress your interviewer by giving answers directed at making him or her happy. An interview panel consists of very experienced people and they will surely see through your mask. Even if the answer is discouraging, be sincere and be yourself.

9. BRING ALONG ENOUGH COPIES OF YOUR RESUME TO THE INTERVIEW.

Yes, send along at least two extra copies of all your documents so that the interview panel will not have to waste too much time glancing through one set of copy. It helps to save time!

10. ASK INTELLIGENT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THE POSITION.

Prepare these questions before the interview. People who show much interest in a companies profile at an interview tend to score more marks so do a little research about the company so that you can ask very intelligent questions when you are given the opportunity to do so. The bottom line is that you have to make it a point to impress the interview panel.

11. DRESS SMARTLY AND DECENTLY.

You must dress smartly to leave a lasting impression on your interviewer. If you are a man, preferably, you must don a neatly pressed plain shirt with a matching neck tie, a black pair of trousers, black socks and shoes to match. You may also want to put on a jacket to match so that you look smart and formal for the occasion. If you are a woman, wear a skirt that is below the knee and a blouse to match. You may also want to put on a jacket to match so that you look smart and formal for the occasion. Avoid wearing trousers for such an occasion.

12. REMEMBER TO SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE TO YOUR INTERVIEWER.

It always pays to be nice to someone who has given you an opportunity to prove yourself. Send that “Thank You” note. It works wonders!

THE DON’TS

1. DON’T SIT UNTIL ASKED.

Always wait until you are asked to sit down and when you do, say thank you in return. It shows a sign of courtesy and respect to your interviewer.

2. DON'T CHEW GUM OR SMOKE, WHILE WAITING FOR THE INTERVIEW.

Try to avoid these things before your interview. It is not courteous to appear before an interview panel chewing gum or talking with your breath full of tobacco or alcohol for that matter. Avoid it at all cost.

3. DON'T RESPOND TO QUESTIONS WITH "YES," "NO,"
OR ONE WORD ANSWERS.

In order words do not be too direct with your answers. Answer the questions as reasonable as possible and avoid talking too much and beating about bush.

4. DON'T MAKE DEROGATORY COMMENTS ABOUT PREVIOUS
EMPLOYERS, COWORKERS OR PROJECTS.

You might be tricked into doing just that, so be careful not to fall for it. Your interviewer may want to test you for loyalty and making derogatory comments about your former employer will definitely give you away. No employer would hire a person who will one day do the same thing to them elsewhere, so watch out.

5. DON'T TRY TO MAKE THE INTERVIEWER YOUR "BEST FRIEND."

Even if you know a member of the panel, do not show it. You are there to prove yourself worthy of the job and not to make friends. It does not show a sign of seriousness on your part to try to get over friendly and this could make you loose marks at the interview.

6. DON'T MEMORIZE SCRIPTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

Remember that you are not sitting an exam which requires specific answers. You are being interviewed for a job position so just relax and answer the questions as truthful and as sincere as you can.

7. DON'T DISCUSS SALARY, BENEFITS, ETC. UNLESS ASKED TO DO SO.

Most interview panels will intentionally avoid talking about the benefits simply to see what your reaction will be. Don’t fall for it. All interview panels will definitely discuss this with you so just be patient until the subject is brought up.

8. DON'T LET DISCOURAGEMENT SHOW IF THE INTERVIEW
IS NOT GOING TOO WELL.

Simply relax and take things easy. After all you are not expected to get everything going perfect in your favour. It is the ability to comport yourself when the going gets tough which will see you come out with your shoulders high.

9. DON'T USE TOO MANY HAND GESTURES.

Stay calm during the interview and try to keep your hands settled down on your knees whilst maintaining a straight sitting posture. This way, you would be able to remain calm at all times during the interview.

10. DON'T DISCUSS POLITICS OR OTHER CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECTS.

You may be tricked into doing so, but remember that you are there to discuss a job placement and not politics or other controversial subjects. Try as much as possible to avoid being drawn into such topics which you know may have no bearing on the job at hand, and be very tactful at that.

11. DON'T FOLD YOUR ARMS AND CROSS YOUR LEGS.

It is a sign of arrogance and disrespect. It is not courteous to fold your arms or cross your legs when taking to an interview panel. They might fail you for that even if you manage to answer all your questions correctly.