How to Avoid Common Interview Slips?!

In the job-search process getting invited to an interview is a big deal, especially when it entails going in front of interviewers at the target company and exchanging topics that allow you to explore the mutual fit. My own anecdotal data shows that about 50% of the well-targeted résumés (not the shot-gunned ones or the “spray-and-pray” types) typically get the first screening call. In almost all cases this is from someone in the HR, or occasionally, from the hiring manger, depending on a variety of factors. From that screening only about 10%-20% get invited for a face-to-face interview to decide if the candidate is worth their salt.

So, despite this abysmal statistics (5%-10%) who are invited for an in-person interview I am often surprised how ill prepared many are to deal with the most commonly expected behaviors that can be show-stoppers and that can set you back to square one; such a waste! I’m not talking about giving the wrong answer or fumbling a technical question; rather, I am talking about your own behaviors that can scuttle your chances for going ahead to the offer stage with how you manage this stage. In this blog I plan to list some Dos and Don’ts in interviews when they are face-to-face.

1.    You're on Camera: Be aware that as soon as you enter the premises you may be “on camera,” watched by someone who may report to the decision makers your objectionable behaviors. So, from the guard at the entrance to the parking lot to how you park your car to how you deal with the person in the lobby are places where you must be on your best behavior. Remember, being jobless or looking for another job does not qualify you as a handicapped or disabled person, especially when YOU are running late! Do not ask someone at the reception desk to get you coffee or be rude to them. Many companies ask these employees to report how you impress them as a part of the interview “score.”

2.    Be Cool: Do not pace up and down or show your impatience at the desk person if your appointment is delayed. People often get stuck in important meetings. So, at the appointed hour ask the desk person to announce you and wait for their response. If they do not get back to you—even when you are sitting across from them—do not pace up and down, impatiently looking at your watch. Remember, the person at the desk has a job to do, so they may be on the phone, while your appointed hour is up. So, do not breathe down their neck as you stand by the desk and keep looking at your watch impatiently as the receptionist is on the phone doing their business. Thank the receptionist for giving you an update on your meeting and give them a smile.

3.    Learn to Small-talk: As the interviewer escorts you to the interview room, have a pleasant chat about something that is not controversial: Weather, last night’s ball game, or a movie. Do not complain about how hard it was to find parking, or how cold the coffee was. Never say, I was running late, so I parked in the Disabled Parking space. Is that OK? They do not have that authority, even if they said yes! Besides, it's bad form!

4.  Get yourself a Business Card: When you shake hands or as you enter the interview room hand over your résumé (especially if you have updated it since your original submittal) and your personal business card. This way you can ask for their business card. Having their business card helps you email them a Thank-you message after the interview directly.

5.    Take Notes: During the interview take notes using a notebook and pen, NOT your laptop or a tablet. These devices give the impression that you are hiding something as you write. An open notebook can be a visual assurance to the interviewer of what you are noting down. First, ask if it is OK to take notes during the interview. If they object then write down as soon as you can about the discussion, while it is still fresh. These notes will help you during subsequent rounds. Do NOT use recording devices even if they allow it. Livescribe is a pen/notebook system that allows you to write on a special pad (but a regular-looking notebook) with the actual searchable notes appearing on your tablet or computer, in addition to providing a written record on paper.

Recently, one of my clients went for an executive-level interview and cleared three rounds with senior executives. The final round was with the CEO. One of the first questions the CEO asked him was: Whom did you meet and what is your opinion of their views of how we should grow? My client had not taken any notes during the previous rounds, nor did he remember the names of the executives he had met. As you can imagine that interview was over in about 10 mins. (it was scheduled for one hour).

6.    Don't Lie: It is virtually impossible to have all the answers to the questions you are asked. The instinctive response is to wing it and hope that you do not get caught. In such cases it is best to be honest and say, I do not know, but here is how I’d approach it or here is my best guess of what that might be (based on the context of the discussion). Saying, I don’t know does not diminish your ability to impress the interviewer, but it certainly does when you get caught in a lie.

Saying, I don’t know does not diminish your ability to impress the interviewer, but it certainly does when you get caught in a lie.

Yet another client during a recent interview faced a question about a particular software application commonly used in the work that was his forte'. My client had not used that app, but thought he could get away with a lie. As soon as he said that he had, the next question was from the interviewer, who wanted to know the biggest flaw in that app. My client fumbled and could not continue that lie. That interview ended abruptly, too!

7.    Be Confident: Do not ask how the interview went. This shows insecurity. If you must know ask what the next steps are and their timeline. The way they respond to the question speaks volumes. If their response is: Oh, we have many other candidates and you are the first one we interviewed, then you know you better continue looking. The converse can also happen: The interviewer may ask: How am I doing? In response do not be critical of the interview or of them. In one recent case my client had not interviewed for nearly 10 years, so he blurted out: Oh, it is hard for me to tell how you are doing as I’ve not interviewed for 10 years. Bad response!

Most of these tips are common sense, but somehow during interviews commonsense goes out the window for many. So, read through these tips and see how you can improve your chances of clearing the interviews and getting that offer you want.

Good luck!