Don't Be an Interview "Fail"

I've been talking about interviewing with my Job Search Preparation and Self Awareness classes, and I think it's a good idea to share some of that discussion here.  In an article we read in those classes ("10 Unusual Interview Mistakes, and 6 That Are All Too Common"), Kaitlin Madden shares some very unusual interview mistakes--and some of the more common ones--that interviewees make when they are nervous.  For example, some of the more unusual mistakes included the following:

1. a candidate who brought an Interviewing for Dummies book along to the interview
2. a candidate who asked, "What company is this again?"
3. a candidate who asked for a sip of the interviewer's coffee
4. a candidate who, on the way to the interview, passed, cut off, and then flipped the middle finger to another driver who just happened to be the interviewer

While you probably won't make these egregious mistakes, you could find yourself, in your nervousness, making one of these more subtle--but nonetheless damaging--mistakes with an interviewer:

1. answering a cell phone or texting during the interview (or even beforehand, for that matter)
2. appearing disinterested
3. dressing inappropriately (too casually or with too much skin revealed)
4. chewing gum
5. appearing arrogant
6. talking negatively about current or previous employers

The important thing is to avoid letting your nervousness "set your mouth (or brain) free."  Remember that you are in the interview to sell yourself as "the candidate," so focus on the positive traits, skills, and experiences that you possess.  It's normal to be nervous, too, but try to channel that nervousness into motivation.  Remember, while every interview does present the opportunity to mess up, it also, more importantly, presents the opportunity to succeed!  So don't let that opportunity escape.  Go and grasp what should be yours!

And oh yeah, it might be a good idea to avoid driving like a maniac (and flipping off people) on the way to the interview, just to be on the safe side.

• contract support specialist--Check it out, CAM's!
• administrative assistant
• customer service
• front desk clerk
• customer service
• customer support associate
• general clerk--Manor Care
• imaging assistant--Wellspan
• another imaging assistant at Wellspan
• development assistant
• coordinator, licensing for Rite Aid (essentially an administrative assistant position)
• customer service, Rite Aid
• medical clerical
• accounts payable position

Now get out there and put the sell the best "you" for those jobs!

Have a great day!

Tim Barshinger