“We found someone more qualified for the position.”
“You were our second choice, we’ll certainly hold your resume on file if something else comes up.”
“You interviewed really well, but we decided to go with someone else.”
These are a few of the nice ways you are being told your interview didn’t go well.
Hiring managers don’t have to offer you constructive feedback about your interview.
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As a result, candidates may be missing out on opportunities over and over again; interview after interview without realizing there is a problem.
As individuals, we each present differently. Here are 15 fixes to common interview mistakes.
15 ways you can interview like a pro.
Be confident. The company chose to invite you. You have earned the right to be there.
Pause and collect your thoughts before you answer. It is not about how fast you answer but how articulate, focused and poised you are in presenting a well-crafted response.
Breathe. Control your heart rate and keep oxygen flowing to the brain. Passing out during an interview sends the wrong message about your ability to deal with stress.
Assume the interviewer knows nothing about you.
Organize your answer before you speak.
Use the formula Situation. Action. Result.
Smile. Connect with your interviewer. A genuine smile and eye contact are signs of confidence.
Share stories that end happily.
Remember the question. Stay focused.
Kill the up talk. Who me? Making statements sound like questions indicates a lack of confidence in your responses; as if you are asking the interviewer to validate your answer.
Remove filler words like, umh, so, hmm, ah…they transmit the message that you are struggling to come up with an answer versus accessing your knowledge of a subject. Use pauses instead.
Strike “I think I can…” and replace with “I can…”. You are not a little train.
Talk nicely about your colleagues and work experiences. Speaking negatively in an interview, to a total stranger, about former workmates and workplaces sends the message that maybe you were the problem. Even if it’s not true.
Prepare yourself days ahead of time. Has cramming for an exam ever worked?
Practice. Then practice again.
Do you have other tips or advice to share with job seekers? Share it in the comments. What are your best interview tips to share?
Related Categories: Career Clarity, Interview Strategy
About The Author
Maureen McCann is an award-winning career coach, master resume writer, and master certified interview, employment, and career strategist whose clients include C-level executives, managers, and professionals in all industries including the Canadian banking, oil and gas, healthcare, IT, and government sectors.