9 top interview tips (part 1 of 3)
You have several years of work experience and you’re applying for jobs every day. Your CV is up to date, yet you are still unemployed. What is wrong with employers these days? How is this possible?
Of course, there are multiple reasons why you might not be getting hired. The manager might be concerned you will eventually take their job, or they are looking for EXACT copy of a person that left. Perhaps unrealistic job requirements have been written by a person who has no idea about the job, or you don’t have anyone at the company who can vouch for you (and the person who gets hired does). While all of these reasons might be valid, unfortunately, many job seekers don’t stop to consider that the problem might not be employers but themselves.
It’s a hard concept that most job seekers have trouble wrapping their heads around, but applicants frequently (and inadvertently) display signs that tell an employer that they’re not the best fit for the job.
Yes, it is true that there are fewer jobs and there is more competition, but ask yourself: are you doing everything you can?
There are number of reasons why employers might have passed you by. Margaret Buj, interview coach provides her top 9 reasons why you are not getting hired.
Let’s look at the first 3 reasons today: (parts 2 and 3 to follow over the next couple of days).
1. You are dishonest
Any lies you tell in your job search, whether on your CV or in an interview, will come back to haunt you. Everything you tell an employer can be discovered, so it is best to be honest from the get-go. If you’re concerned about something in your past, invention is not the answer. Use your cover letter to tell your story, focusing on your strengths and accomplishments and explaining any areas of concern if needed.
In my 6 years of working as a professional recruiter, I have certainly noticed that whatever is written on a candidate’s CV is sometimes heavily embellished. When I start asking probing questions about some specific aspects of the candidate’s experience, it sometimes turns out what they claim to be an expert in, was only a very small part of what they have actually done.
2. You are not prepared.
Coming to the interview with no knowledge of the company will certainly be detrimental to your chances. Make sure you do your homework before an interview. Not asking good questions at an interview can also cost you a job offer. I do remember speaking to one of the Managers I was recruiting for who was very unimpressed with a candidate for a senior position, as she did not ask any questions at the end of the interview! This candidate might have known everything about the company, but he did not know anything about this Manager’s expectations on a day to day basis. This made him think she was not motivated to do the job. Needless to say, this person did not get hired.
Explore the company online, read some recent press releases and most importantly, prepare answers to the most common interview questions and have someone give you a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more employers will take you seriously.
3. You act disinterested / not enthusiastic enough
Be enthusiastic and positive – especially when it comes to a potential new job. Appearing disinterested and not motivated enough is really one of the biggest mistakes candidates can make in the interview.
I can’t tell you how many times in my recruitment career I’ve seen highly qualified candidates rejected after interview, because they did not seem passionate about the company or acted like if they just wanted to check out what other opportunities are out there (instead of demonstrating they really want the job they were interviewing for). I can also remember a number of occasions when 2 equally experienced candidates got through to the final interview stage, and the one who got the job was always the one who was the most enthusiastic and the most prepared.
Every business wants to put their most enthusiastic people forward with important clients and customers, so acting the opposite will get you nowhere.
Parts 2 -3 of this article to follow over the next couple of days!
@thecvstore
Latest posts by Lee Tonge - The CV Store (see all)
- Headings, Titles and Straplines In A CV - May 7, 2013
- Self-Employed And Now Need A CV - May 6, 2013
- Dumbing Down A CV - May 6, 2013