Top 5 dumbest things to do in an interview

February 2nd, 2011

Kevin Renwick, CHRP and President of Okanagan Staffing, shares with you his best advice on how not to crash and burn in an interview.

 

Top 5 tips on what NOT to do:

1) Answering your cellphone!  An interviewer expects your undivided attention for the time you have together.  You have 30 to 45 minutes to convey in a concise manner how well suited you are for the position at hand.  Don’t waste that time or portray an indifferent attitude by answering your cellphone, unless of course you somehow know it is a life-or-death call.

2) Being dishonest.  Some people call it creative salesmanship.  Human Resource surveys have identified as high as 35% of employment interviewees have not been totally truthful during their interview and/or on their resumes.  This may involve education credentials, prior employment successes, technical skills knowledge through to prior employment compensation and benefits packages.  No positive hiring decision can be made for either party based on dishonest or embellished information.

3) Dressing inappropriately.  If you’re not sure how to dress, professional business attire is your safest bet.  Try to visualize how an employee would dress for the position you are interviewing for with this particular employer.  Different employers have different expectations but being overdressed for the initial interview portrays an attitude of professionalism and respect that is much preferred.

4) Focusing on what the job pays first.  Prospective employers need to ensure that new hires are seeking a job for the right reasons.  Reasons such as enjoying the job responsibilities, being accountable and contributing to a company’s success, believing in teamwork and the future growth opportunities, to name a few.  The old adage “if you enjoy what you’re doing” still rings true.  Favourable compensation, in a variety of ways, will not be far behind.

5) When asked to identify your weaknesses, don’t say you’re a perfectionist or chocolate.  These are the two most common responses we hear.  Give the question some forethought.  We all have weaknesses, but the key is to clearly and honestly identify them, and then explain how you intend to address them.

Example:  I have identified my knowledge of the stock market is lacking.  This is an area of interest to me.  I have recently registered to take the Canadian Securities Course over the next six months through the Canadian Securities Institute.  I’m confident this course will give a superior knowledge level from a stock market investment perspective. 

Try to provide examples that will enhance your candidacy for the job you are applying for down the road.

Happy Interviewing!