Six Interview Mistakes
By Michael Neece
It's tough to avoid typical interview traps if you're unsure what they are. Here are a half
dozen to watch out for.
1. Confusing an Interview with an Interrogation.
Most candidates expect to be interrogated. An interrogation occurs when one person asks all
the questions and the other gives the answers. An interview is a business conversation in which
both people ask and respond to questions. Candidates who expect to be interrogated avoid asking
questions, leaving the interviewer in the role of reluctant interrogator.
2. Making a So-Called Weakness Seem Positive.
Interviewers frequently ask candidates, "What are your weaknesses?" Conventional interview
wisdom dictates that you highlight a weakness like "I'm a perfectionist," and turn it into a
positive. Interviewers are not impressed, because they've probably heard the same answer a hundred
times. If you are asked this question, highlight a skill that you wish to improve upon and describe
what you are doing to enhance your skill in this area. Interviewers don't care what your weaknesses
are. They want to see how you handle the question and what your answer indicates about you.
3. Failing to Ask Questions.
Every interview concludes with the interviewer asking if you have any questions . The worst
thing to say is that you have no questions. Having no questions prepared indicates you are not
interested and not prepared. Interviewers are more impressed by the questions you ask than the
selling points you try to make. Before each interview, make a list of five questions you will ask. “
I think a good question is, ‘Can you tell me about your career?'” says Kent Kirch, director of
global recruiting at Deloitte. “Everybody likes to talk about themselves, so you're probably pretty
safe asking that question.”
4. Researching the Company But Not Yourself.
Candidates intellectually prepare by researching the company. Most job seekers do not
research themselves by taking inventory of their experience, knowledge and skills. Formulating a
talent inventory prepares you to immediately respond to any question about your experience. You
must be prepared to discuss any part of your background. Creating your talent inventory refreshes
your memory and helps you immediately remember experiences you would otherwise have forgotten
during the interview.
5. Leaving Your Cell Phone On.
We may live in a wired, always-available society, but a ringing cell phone is not appropriate
for an interview. Turn it off before you enter the company.
6. Waiting for a Call.
Time is your enemy after the interview. After you send a thank-you email and note to every
interviewer, follow up a couple of days later with either a question or additional information.
Contact the person who can hire you -- not the HR department. Additional information can be details
about your talents, a recent competitor's press release or industry trends. Your intention is to
keep everyone's memory of you fresh.
