4 Things That Sink Interviews

Since interviewing and landing a job four years ago, my position at the interviewing table has changed. Now, whenever a position is open in my department, I get to interview candidates along with the rest of the team.

During that time, I've noticed many things people do that sink their chances of landing a job.

The CEO's Daughter

We all come from different backgrounds. Ideally, we should treat everyone equally, but it doesn't always work out that way.

One day, we interviewed someone who seemed like a very nice person. In passing, she said, 'My Dad's a CEO.'

I didn't think anything of it, however, when the team got together to discuss the candidate, a co-worker immediately said, 'It must be nice to have a Dad who is a CEO. I bet her college was paid for.'

In a recent post, Raj Daniels, captured what my co-worker was thinking,

Must be nice usually comes with the perception that something has come easy to an individual.

The phrase also conveys hints of envy and resentment towards another’s good fortune.[1]

I'm not saying it is right or fair for someone to react this way, I'm saying, some people will resent you if they believe you've had it easier than they had it. This is something to keep in mind before you open your mouth in your next interview.

The Buzzword Applicant

Not too long ago, we interviewed someone and afterwards I asked my boss what she thought of him.

She said, 'I was not impressed. All he did was spout buzzwords throughout the whole interview.'

In retrospect, I remember very little about the interview. All he did was talk about himself and as my boss noted, spout buzzwords. Needless to say, he didn't have a second interview.

The Woman In Search Of Friendly Coworkers

After interviewing one applicant, I didn't remember much of anything except for the fact that she made a point of asking twice if the people here are friendly.

We all want to work with friendly people, however, when you ask this question twice during the 30 minutes it take for an interview, people start thinking...

Does she work at a place where people are not nice?

Is there something about this person that makes people treat her poorly?

Asking the question once is normal. Asking the question twice leaves people wondering.

The Smoker

Okay, I've never participated in an interview where the applicant was obviously a smoker, however I have worked in places where a sizable number of folks went outside to smoke.

While I'm glad they had to go outside to smoke, when they came into the building they reeked of cigarette smoke.

So if you're a smoker and you need a smoke before the interview, consider smoking before you shower, brush and put on your interview clothes.

Keep In Mind -

If the hiring manager discovers you're a smoker, he'll be less likely to hire you. That's because smokers can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour away from their desk smoking.

What Will People Remember About You, After Your Interview?

In these stories applicants were remembered because,

• Their Father is a CEO.
• They used a tremendous amount of buzzwords.
• They oddly asked twice if the people were friendly.
• They smoked.

How To Be Remembered For All Of The Right Reasons

In Job Hunting Secrets (from someone who's been there), I share, among many other secrets,

The Hiring Manager's Secrets,

namely,

The Three Tests Every Applicant Must Pass To Be Considered A Candidate

and once you've become a candidate in the hiring manager's eyes,

The Four Ways You Can Stand Out From All Other Candidates.

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Clark Finnical is the author of Job Hunting Secrets (from someone who's been there), the first job hunting book written by a veteran job seeker.

Job hunting books were solely written by HR managers and recruiters in the past. Their books told you, ‘How to succeed in their world.'

"Job Hunting Secrets" was written by a five-time job seeker who has walked in your shoes.

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Have you read these articles?

[1] Raj Daniels. It must be nice. https://www.rajdaniels.com/it-must-be-nice/