Mastering the Interview – Part 5: Additional Tips: Interview Ending Moves
There are certain interview moves that will spoil your chances of success. Some are serious enough to end the interview. Employers want to hire employees who can perform well in the job and get along with others. Work can be stressful, so interviewers sometimes try to induce stress or throw a curve ball to bring out potentially inappropriate behavior or comments. Be on your toes and avoid these interview-ending moves!
Nix the negative comments about your current or past employers, manager, clients, and co-workers.
You will not earn brownie points by saying anything negative. An interviewer may bait you to say something. Don’t fall into that trap. You will fail the interview if you do.
There’s no crying (or complaining) in interviews.
Whining about the traffic, personal problems, or even the weather is a turn-off. Present yourself as a positive and effective person – someone who takes things in stride.
Just like your grandmother told you, cut slang and expletives from your vocabulary.
Absolutely avoid any derogatory remarks about a particular gender, race, or nationality. Even attempts at humor in this regard are inappropriate. Even if the interviewer uses foul language you SHOULD NOT do so.
Don’t be disagreeable or point out errors.
The main goal of the interview is to prove that you can fit in. The interview is not the time to argue or share opinions that otherwise be misconstrued as facts (because you are so opinionated). Pointing out errors is out of place. Making suggestions should only be done in the framework of how you would address challenges that the interviewer has presented to you.
Show your interest.
Demonstrating a lack of interest can knock you out of the running. When a potential employer asks, “What drew you to our company?” The answer should not be, “I am curious so I thought I’d check you guys out.” Yes, people actually say this! That does not present an enthusiastic approach or one that is in any way thoughtful. To say that is an interview ending move is an understatement.
Don’t ask about the paid time policy and don’t spout off a list of things that you won’t do.
You’ve seen bits in sitcoms in which a candidate is interviewed and before the interviewer gets very far, the candidate is stating that she does not do windows and does not work past 4:00 pm. That happens in real life, too. You know the saying that reality is stranger than fiction, right? Well, I am here to tell you that people say very strange things at interviews. Don’t be “that guy.” The goal is to add value to the potential employer, not provide them with a litany of what your needs are.
Wait until the time is right to discuss salary.
Let the prospective employer initiate salary discussions. Timing is crucial for two reasons. First, it will appear that you are rushing the subject and that is your only concern. Second, it can weaken your position to negotiate effectively on your own behalf.
Avoiding these interview-ending moves will not guarantee that you get the job. However, taking measures to ensure that you are positive, proactive, and focused will certainly put you in the running. Take the time to research, prepare, and rehearse before your interview. You will feel good and put yourself on a path to a new role or even a new career!
Mastering the Interview
Additional Tips: Practice Interviewing Questions
There are dozens of possibilities for interview questions. These are examples of very common questions. Compose your answers and practice with a friend until you feel confident and comfortable
with your answers. The answers should be genuine and underscore the value you bring to the company.
Tell me about yourself.
What are your weaknesses?
Tell me about your worst client and how you dealt with her.
Describe your toughest challenge and how you managed it.
If you were unable to meet a commitment, what would you do?
Tell me about your management style.
Tell me about a time when you had to give difficult feedback.
What excites or motivates you in your career?
Share an example of when you disagreed with management at your current or recent position? How did you deal with this?
Describe a project that you managed. Was the project completed on time and on/under budget?
In your last position, if you could do one thing differently, what would that be? What would you have done differently?
How would your current manager describe you?
Why do you want this job?
What makes you the best candidate?
We hope you enjoyed part 5 of our Mastering the Interview Series. Please take a look at the rest of the series.
Part 1: Crafting & Delivering Your Message