Is there anything worse during job hunting than interviewing and feeling as though you knocked it out of the park only to find out the company is not interested? It is even more frustrating when you know you are qualified. In many cases, the problem is often not about experience.
The First Impression
The saying “you only get one chance to make a first impression” has never been truer. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, how you look and your professionalism impacts whether or not you make it to the next step.
Knowing this, you should be well-rested before the interview, not recovering from a late night. While you don’t need a new suit or dress, the clothing you wear should not be worn, frayed, or stained.
Political Views?
Social media is exploding with political discussion these days, and we’ve all heard about employees being fired for something they posted on their personal social media accounts. Are you putting your future job at risk by sharing political posts?
The short answer is yes. Especially on platforms like LinkedIn where politics are taboo. Aside from politics, it’s best to also avoid posting negative content on your employer, criticizing clients, and complaints. Politics, in particular, can be alienating and hiring managers will alternative views may decide to not pick up the phone based on your online persona.
Don’t Stress Out
Being nervous during an interview can be a real red flag for hiring managers, at least for executives.
If you struggle during interviews, practice with friends or family until you get it right. Go on interviews for jobs you don’t want to get over the fear of interviewing. It might sound like a waste of time, but you can sit down in a situation such as that with zero pressure since you really don’t want the job anyway.
Watch What You Say
You may get a question asking you why you want to leave your job or least favorite part of the place you are working. While you don’t need to make everything out to be perfect, you cannot talk negatively about your boss, hotel, or old employer in any way.
This can be quite challenging, especially if you are in a situation where you are not getting along with your boss or working for owners with tight purse strings. Focus on why you are looking for a better opportunity or advancement that is not available rather than trashing your current or former property.
This is your time to show that you are a team player, period. Get used to using terms like “my team” and “we” when discussing accomplishments during an interview. You want to have a mix of ideas you came up with along with how the team was able to carry them out or work in conjunction with another department towards success.