Looking for a job can be tough. You’re being judged and evaluated by strangers, and there’s money (your salary!) on the line to boot. That’s one of the reasons that hope rises so high during the interview process. If only they hire you, not only will you have a great new job and a boost in salary, but you can stop interviewing.
So it can be terribly disappointing to be rejected.
Now, all job-seekers are rejected from most jobs. Not getting jobs is part of a job search. You only need one to say yes.
But you also need to know if you are doing anything to make those interviews go south. It could be other candidates were more qualified. But it could also be the #1 reason interviews don’t go well.
Lack of Preparation Is the #1 Interview Killer
Roughly 50% of employers say that they know within the first few minutes of an interview if there is a fit between the job and the interviewee. How do they know so fast?
Preparation. A surprising number of people comes to an interview unprepared. Preparation applies to several different aspects of the interview process. Let’s go over them.
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Be prepared for the interview itself
You need to prepare for the simple fact of an interview. You need your materials with you. You need to dress in appropriate attire. You need to be on time and pleasant to everyone. If you’re not, the vast majority of employers will figure that your lateness and unpleasantness will extend into your working life.
Bring five copies of your resume with you. Yes, we know most things are done electronically. This is considered a sign of preparation. You need to have one available if someone walks in during the interview. You need to wear a suit, even if everyday attire at the organization is casual. If you walk in wearing casual clothes, you have killed the interview in many cases. You need to be 15 minutes early. Even 2 minutes late will kill the interview.
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Be prepared about the company
It’s crucial to research both the company and your interviewer(s). You need to know about the company. How many offices does it have? What does it do? What were its results for the last several years? Most of this information can be found on the company’s website. Work up some questions to ask during the interview about the company from this information. It shows engagement.
You also need to know about your interviewers. How long have they been in the position? What was their career path? Where did they go to school? Do you know any people in common? Pointing that out can help you land the job.
A great deal of information can be found on LinkedIn. Make sure you access it.
Ready to start your next job search?
At Expert Staffing, we focus on matching talented professionals with jobs that will allow them to grow while they hone their skills and succeed. To find out more about promising positions in your field, contact us today.