Three mistakes people make in job interviews

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140603001358-12308251-three-mistakes-people-make-in-job-interviews?trk=tod-posts-post1-ptlt

Job interviews require high levels of skill in both emotional intelligence and communication. Sadly, many people make some fundamental mistakes when preparing for a job interview and career limiting mistakes during the interview itself. Don't be one of them. Know the mistakes to avoid.

Job interviews mistake 1: They think their CVs are enough.

Many people I see have spent an enormous amount of time writing their CVs, resumes and job applications. These CVs and resumes get them the job interview. They do not get them the job.

The mistake they make is to sit in a job interview and not explain what is on their CV.

They think the job interview panel have read their CV and know everything on it. This may not be true.

• The panel may not have read your CV.
• The panel may not have remembered your CV even if they have read it.
• Even if they have read your CV and application they want you to tell them about it.

Do not feel shy about repeating what is on your CV. It is essential that you do.

Most interviews go a step BEYOND your CV. In many job interviews the decision is primarily based on what you say and do during the interview. In other words if you have something valuable to say, whether it is on your CV or not, say it.

Job interviews mistake 2: They think the spotlight is on them.

Are you nervous when you go to a job interview? If so, why? What are you thinking about when you go to the interview?

• Are you feeling that the spotlight is on you?
• Do you think you are about to be interrogated?
• Do you imagine that you will go blank and stumble and not know what to say?

If this sounds familiar you are making an important mistake; you are thinking the job interview is all about you. It's not. The spotlight is on the job interview panel. The pressure of making a wrong or right decision falls on the job interview panel. They are concerned in case they ruin someone's career. They worry in case they select the wrong person. They are concerned in case they don't follow the correct procedures.

How do you stop your job interview nerves? One way is by feeling sorry for the job interview panel and understanding what a difficult task they have. This is being emotionally intelligent.

Your job is to HELP the panel. Make it easy for the panel to pick you. Make it obvious to the panel that you are clearly the best person for the job. Your job in the interview is to make yourself stand out from the other applicants so the panel is left with no doubt that you are the person to select.

Make it easy for the job interview panel. When you take the focus off yourself your nerves can lessen.

Job interviews mistake 3: They don't relate to the specific job.

What do you talk about in your job interview? Do you cover all the experiences you have had? I know that many people focus their time on doing this. This is not sufficient. It ignores much of what interests the panel.

Imagine a CEO of a company or the Principal of a school looking for new staff. What is the MAJOR question they want answered? Is it what the candidate has done for the previous company or school? No, they want to know the benefit that their company or school will get from employing the candidate.

The CEO and Principal are wearing the hat of their organisation or school, thinking

• "What's the benefit to us?
• "What will she or he bring to the company or school?"
• "How will she or he help us?"

In your job interview, therefore, you need to weave into your answers information on what you will do for them. You need to explain how you can help them. You need to demonstrate your understanding of their problems and situation and how you can provide the solutions. This means you need to have researched their organisation in advance.

If you want to manage your anxiety in a job interview learn about the organisation.

Link your answers to the specific organisation you are being interviewed for and explain the benefit to them of employing you. You are putting your panel at ease and making it easy for them to pick you.