What Not to Say During a Job
Job interviews are difficult conversations, for both the interviewee and interviewer, but the bonus is on the former to present the best possible image. There is no doubt but that interviews are less than organic and natural conversations, but there are some things you can do to promote your ability to get the job nonetheless.
First of all, dress the part. Make sure that your attire is neat, clean, and appropriate to the job and company for which you are interviewing. The wrong wardrobe can kill any chance you have of even being heard.
Be prepared to speak about the company. Take the time to research the company and come to the interview with questions relevant to the company and position. Don’t forget to bring any required application materials, including copies of your resume.
As much as the interview is an opportunity to discuss what you can bring to the company, make sure you listen as well. Avoid going in all-guns-blazing about what you want and when you want it.
Appreciate the fact that there is very little that you can know about the company and its people before you start working there, so you have little opportunity tailor your conversation for any given interviewer. Therefore, make sure you are not coming across as too aggressive about your intents once you get the job.
When asked about areas in which you think you could stand improvement, pick a non-crucial area and talk about how you are improving it. Avoid over-disclosure in cases like this; it can easily make you look like you are clueless. Similarly, avoid down-talking your previous employer, even if it sounds like you have an opening or invitation to do so.
Make an honest effort to answer all the questions you are asked; avoid evading or changing the questions around to suit your needs.
Project a positive attitude and come prepared to talk about what you can do for the company. While it is important to know about the benefits of the company, it is not necessary to go over them first, or even within the first interview with the company.
Make sure you are clear about your interest in the company; however, avoid going overboard and looking too gratuitous.
Job interviews are always tricky, but there are some basic steps you can take to make them more successful conversations. Most of them involve spending a little bit of time to gain an understanding of the company, preparing yourself for standards questions, and making sure that you are projecting the appropriate, positive image.