5 Things You Should Avoid During Job Interviews

5 Things You Should Avoid During Job Interviews

Job interviews are crucial platforms for candidates to showcase their credentials and convince panelists on why they (candidates) are best-placed to fill advertised vacancies. Despite this, the conduct of interviewees during these important sessions may work against their impressive curriculum vitae.

The following are hazards you should avoid if you want a successful job interview:

1. Don't dress inappropriately

As you prepare for a job interview, remember that you mode of dressing will play a crucial role in determining your success. How you dress on this important day gives people a glimpse into your deportment once you are hired. Your fancy clothes and extreme accessories have no place in that official meeting. No tight or ill-fitting clothes should find their way into the room where you will face the panelists. Leave your revealing clothes for an evening date. Dress decently.

2. Don't panic

For a few crucial minutes, you will come face-to-face with a group of mortal human beings who will ask you questions about yourself. You don't need to panic because you have all the answers with you. Remember you will still be alive after the interview. Further, this may be one of the many interviews you are going to attend before you finally find a job. Start getting used to the normalcy of attending these kinds of platforms and expressing yourself before interviewers.

3. Don't speak too much

It is true that you have the opportunity to blow your trumpet as you compete with other equally able individuals. However, do not appear to lecture the panel or dominate the session with endless and repetitive speeches on what the panelists already know. Talking too much may give the impression that you are trying to cover up some weaknesses. You may even end up mentioning irrelevant issues that may jeopardize your chances of finding a job. Compose yourself, say exactly what you have to say, and when you are done, keep quiet.

4. Don't interrupt panel members when they are speaking

When some people attend job interviews, they tend to become so comfortable with interviewers that they begin to interrupt the latter. You etiquette and communication skills will be questioned if you cannot keep quiet and let others talk. Irrespective of how much you know and how eager you are to get employed, do not destroy your chances by appearing to be a know-it-all. Learn to listen before you respond if you must have a successful job interview.

5. Don't lie or present inaccurate information

A formal meeting where you discuss your suitability for a job is the culmination of a long process during which the organization has gathered a lot of information about you. Most of this is contained in your resume and academic and professional papers. Similarly, your conduct and past will be under scrutiny throughout the time you will be employed, in case you pass the interview. Consequently, as you prepare for a job interview remember that the information you volunteer has legal and social consequences.

Author: Joseph Maina Kabui
Source: Link

7 Resume Mistakes to Avoid

7 Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Many job-seekers, with impressive academic and professional qualifications, are not invited for job interviews owing to various errors and inaccuracies in their resumes. A document that encapsulates your suitability for a job should be error-free. A resume is the first significant contact between a prospective employer and a potential employee. Unfortunately, for thousands of job-seekers, this becomes the last interaction because this vital document portrays them as being irresponsible and careless.

The following seven biggest resume mistakes are obnoxious and detrimental to job hunting and should be avoided.

1. Grammatical and Spelling Errors

Job-seekers who present resumes replete with spelling and grammatical errors stand little chance of succeeding. Potential employers detest such blunders considering the owners had time to design and write the documents. Language-based blunders portray a job applicant as being thoughtless and unworthy of responsibility. If you cannot identify and rectify faults in such a vital personal paper, how will you handle organizational responsibilities?

2. Illogical Arrangement

Many job-seekers sequence the items on their resumes in an inconsistent or illogical manner. It is crucial to appreciate that potential employers read through numerous solicited and unsolicited documents. One of the most common resume mistakes is to use functional chronological styles in one document. For example, if you are at the job entry-level, arrange work experience and educational background chronologically to avoid annoying potential employers.

3. Inaccurate Information and Lies

To forge inaccurate or untruthful information, and to insert it in a resume as means to having an edge over competitors, damages a candidate's credibility. If an employer discovers a lie, the employee may lose a job or even be jailed. Committing such mistakes, deliberately or otherwise, may have lifelong repercussions. These are resume writing errors that may return to haunt you long after you are hired.

4. Unexplained gaps

Inexplicable gaps in a resume contribute to the downfall of numerous job-seekers. It is normal to undergo periods of unemployment. However, when designing and writing your document, you should never assume that the employer will gloss over such omissions. Interviewers might attribute this to crime, misbehaviour or ineptitude in a previous job, thus making this one of the biggest resume mistakes.

5. Incomplete information

Closely related to unexplained gaps in resumes is the error of presenting incomplete information. For example, if you were working in a certain firm, state the duration and the responsibility assigned. Moreover, when using a pattern in which you state the duration, title and responsibility in a sequence, ensure that every entry in your resume adheres to this categorization. Similarly, referees' contact details should be comprehensive and accurate.

6. Clueless Referees

One of the most common resume mistakes is failing to inform your referees that you have assigned them that significant role. Potential employers will call these people to ascertain the information you have given and to understand your suitability for a job from another person's point of view. What would happen if your referee tells a potential employer that your name is not familiar or he has no current or relevant information about you? To avoid such situations, talk to referees and request them to be your backers before including their names in a resume.

7. Fancy Internet Templates

The internet contains several resume templates you can adopt. However, avoid unnecessary excitement concerning formats as this may cause you to forget the crucial intention of impressing a prospective employer. One of the resume mistakes to avoid is to accentuate a template at the expense of the content. A wise job-seeker would rather have a simple format that communicates effectively than a fancy one devoid of content.

How to Avert Resume Blunders

To ensure a resume is error-free, print a copy and edit it thoroughly. You can also proofread it using a spellchecker or online software. A friend who is well-versed in language and grammar issues can also correct the resume. Unless you don't desire a job, you cannot forget or ignore the editing of your document.

These are the most detestable resume writing mistakes job-seekers commit. The next time you are preparing a resume, create time to edit it. Remember that your chance of being invited for an interview largely depends on having an error-free resume.

Author: Joseph Maina Kabui
Source: Link

How to Pass Job Interviews From a Communication Point of View

How to Pass Job Interviews From a Communication Point of View

Job Interviews are intimidating for many candidates, but this could change if you think about them from a communication process point of view.  Sometimes, looking at an issue from a different perspective may change your reaction and the expected outcome. Instead of approaching interviewers like crime investigators, think and prepare with the communication process in mind. Here's how:


You are the sender

As you sit before those menacing individuals, remember you are the center of interest. You are the guest of honor in this auspicious ceremony. Everyone is here to listen to you as you showcase your communication skills in an interview. Transmit that important message about your strengths and virtues. Send out positive signals on why you are the best candidate for the job. Even if you don't get the job, let the panel members remember there was a confident and capable candidate before them.

Craft your message to convince and impress

As a sender, prepare the message you will deliver before the material day. Don't forget that you are a significant part of the message. You have been shortlisted for the interview because your academic qualifications are in tandem with the requirements. Validate the content in your papers by proving you have communication skills for job interviews. Anticipate the questions to be asked and gather the right information. Package yourself attractively and win the interviewers over from the moment you step into the interview room.

Clarity in communication in mandatory

Now that you are the message to be delivered to the panel and you are also the sender, do not transmit mixed signals. If you have not researched well on the pertinent organization, dressing well for the occasion will not save you from disappointment. Proper dressing and information gathering are complementary communication skills in an interview. Further, demonstrate intelligence, initiative and creativity. This is what clarity in the interview process entails.

Watch your Non-verbal cues

Communication experts opine that 55% of all communication is non-verbal. The interview panel will be interested in what you don't say as much as in what comes out of your mouth. You may not announce loudly to the panel members that you lack confidence, but they will decipher this from your gestures, pitch and tone of voice, sitting posture and general appearance. Many people, when asked to comment on how to pass job interviews, emphasize academic and professional papers at the expense of non-verbal communication. This is a grave mistake.

Know your audience and what it is looking for

Your audience or receiver is the panel and you must offer it the information it is looking for you to have a viable chance of getting employed. The people in front of you want to know why you think you can fill the vacancy and deliver expected results. Remember the panel is interested in how the pertinent organization will be more productive and you must prove you are the right person to help achieve desired results. Summon all your communication skills for job interviews to bridge this information gap.

Respect non-verbal feedback from your audience

Your non-verbal communication is as important as that of the interviewing panel. In any communication process, the sender and the receiver are indispensable. Moreover, the roles of sender and receiver are interchangeable. Decipher the tone and pitch of each of the speakers. Watch how they express themselves as you answer questions. Only then will you will realize when your time is almost up or when your message has reached its destination.

Listen

An often forgotten element of communication is listening. Listen to both verbal and non-verbal cues. Don't rush to answer questions if you have not understood them. Seek for clarification where necessary. Practice role-taking. Allow questions to be asked fully before you answer.
Make use of these tips on how to pass job interviews today and you might be luckier in your quest for a job next time you appear before a panel.

Source: Link
Author: Joseph Maina Kabui

Your Definitive A-Z Guide to Interviews: Part 2

Your Definitive A-Z Guide to Interviews: Part 2

 Money

Unless asked, refrain from asking about money/salary or any other job perks at the interview. If you are asked any salary related questions by the interviewer, then by all means answer appropriately.

What you want to avoid is to be seen as only wanting the job for the money. Even in a sales environment where salary and bonuses are a huge motivating factor; interest in the company and product are vitally important and are very appreciated.

Nerves

We all get nervous prior to an interview even the interviewers. Nerves are good, it means adrenalin is pumping which will help you focus and think on your feet.

Avoid using negative coping mechanisms such a drugs and alcohol to calm your nerves. Instead, you can look to Bach natural flower remedies, deep breathing exercises or positive affirmations to help you feel really confident.  

Openness

Especially to other people's opinions. This is particularly important if you are in a group interview setting and you have to deal with other people's opinions as well as your own. It is important to be able to express yourself without alienating others.

With certain interview techniques, some very emotive questions may be asked just to see how you react. Be honest but fair and if in doubt use something like the 'sandwich technique' where you say something positive prior to saying something controversial (or negative) and then follow up with something positive or neutral at the end. This will ensure the interviewers are under no illusion that you can handle opinions in a balanced way.

Preparation

Like all things in life, preparation is key to success. Please don't go into an interview thinking you can wing-it!
You may want to consider some of the following:

• Working out the travel times to the place of interview
• Research on the company and position
• Presentation (if required)
• Your interview questions to ask interviewers
• Clothes and shoes
• Getting a good night sleep the night before
• Eating something at least 30 minutes prior to the interview
• Keeping hydrated (good for the brain)  

Quirky

Now this is an interesting one and really depends on which industry you are going for an interview in. I have had clients in the past who are very individual and quirky in their appearance and lifestyle. They are keen to show their true selves at an interview, but unfortunately this can go against you. So if you fall into this category please be aware of the industry you are trying to get a job in.
If you are going for a job in the fashion or media/music industry individuality is crucial, it would be perfectly acceptable to show piercings, tattoos, modern hair cuts and hi-fashion clothing at your interview. However if you are going for a role in an industry slightly more conservative, for example, the pharmaceutical or banking industry, sporting a Mohican or wearing fetish stilettos to your interview would not be advisable.

If you are unsure of your interview 'look', check out the company's website, have a look at the photos of the staff (even if it is just stock footage), this should give you a feel for what they expect of their personnel. If there are no clues from the website, by all means check back with the recruitment agency or ask a reliable friend for advice on your attire.

Resist

Resist the urge to tell the interviewer(s) your whole life story. Nerves can play havoc with self censorship and you might feel the urge to share that really 'funny' story when you were really drunk on B52 cocktails in Turkey and ended up at a nightclub waving your pants in the air....
Resist the urge to be really, really honest, saying that you only want the job is because you need something to pay the bills, this is not acceptable.

Resist moaning and complaining especially about your previous or current employers (or role). Warning! Many industries are small, and the chances of your interviewer knowing someone at your old or current place of work is very likely - so you could find your self slagging-off their best friend.

Smile

Smiling instantly builds rapport with the interviewers, and don't be put off if they don't smile back. You may have found yourself in an old fashioned interview technique of god cop - bad cop. Ensure your smile is genuine - a fake smile will be spotted a mile away.

Take your time

Don't gabble your words and if you feel like you are rushing, then ask for a few moments to gather your thoughts or better still ask if the question could be repeated at the end of the interview so you can buy yourself some time to think.

Understand what is expected of you

Will there be a test? Will there be a group interview with other candidates? Will you be interviewed by a panel of interviewers? Will you being attending a lunch etc. These are all important aspects of the interview that you know before you step into the interview....remember ask and gather the information that you need.

Value who you are

High self esteem is important and body language and grooming will do well for you here. There is nothing wrong with saying how good you are at something, how successful a project was or what fabulous process you implemented in you current role.
The trick here is to be confident without being arrogant. Interviews are a great opportunity to tell the world how good you are and why you are the right person for the job. No one else can do that for you, so get comfortable in talking about yourself in a positive way.

Wading in

You might find a combination of nerves, and enthusiasm might cause you to wade in with answers before the interviewer has even finished the question. STOP. Slow down, let them finish and then take a few seconds to think about what you are going to say. It's better to take a few moments and seem thoughtful, than to rush in and regret what falls out of your mouth.

X-rated

It is absolutely totally unacceptable to use expletives (swear words) during your interview. This may seem like common sense but I am always amazed, or rather shocked at some of the language used during interview process. If you are someone who has a natural habit of using strong language in your everyday dialogue, then please be aware of this and self censor accordingly. Some interviews can be very laid back and even if the interviewer uses mildly offensive language, please do not follow suit.

You

It is important to bring an essence of you to the interview. It is very likely that all the candidates for the interview will say roughly the same thing in their responses to interview questions. What's important is bringing your own experiences to the interview so they get a sense of you, who you are and how you will fit into to the organisation. It is also vital that you know your strengths and weaknesses.

Be careful here, if asked what your weaknesses are, make sure they are relevant to work (no need to say you cry every time you watch a Disney film) and also end it on a positive note.
For example, "I like to have things organised really well so spend extra time on planning and preparation, some may think this is a weakness because of the time I spend doing this, however it can also be considered a strength since good preparation work is vital and saves time in the long run".

Zest for life

It is important to show you have a life outside of work; the key here is to make sure you have a good life-work balance. It's absolutely fine to show you are sociable, but take care you are not describing yourself as a party animal. The interviewers will unfortunately have visions of you rolling into work with hangovers or not being focused on your work.

If asked about your hobbies please feel free to express what you do. Team sports are good, as are hobbies or interests that are very different from your working subject. If you love your work so much that you don't have any outside interests it might be advantageous to consider bringing some balance to your life and discover some outside interests.

And finally... always thank the interviewers at the end, ask when you would hope to hear from them and say that you are still very interested in the role, even if you are not. It is better that you make the decision if you want the job, rather than the interviewers deciding if they want you!

Author: Sandi Sayer
Source: Link
 

Your Definitive A-Z Guide to Interviews: Part 1

Your Definitive A-Z Guide to Interviews: Part 1

Interviews are inevitable part of job hunting but they don't need to be something you dread. With the right amount of preparation you can stand out from the other candidates and give yourself a much better chance of getting that job.

Ask

If the letter inviting you to an interview is rather vague, don't just accept it. It will be time to ask some questions, so give HR a call and ask for a few more details. It's advisable to have names and job titles of your interviewer(s) and what the interview agenda will be. Get as many facts as you can since all information will help you focus in the right areas for your interview. The added bonus for requesting this information is that the HR department will remember your high level of professionalism which will give them a very good first impression of you.

Always prepare at least 3 questions to ask at your interview. These should be appropriate to the role or to the company - but don't try and be clever in asking a question to catch out your interview panel, it will put them right off you. Good question areas are: the products and/or services provided by the company, training procedures and career progression.

If you think you have the confidence to ask questions during the interview as opposed to just at the end please do so, it will demonstrate you are engaged in the interview process and are interested in the role. Take care not to interrupt the interviewer with your questions though, always be patient and let them finish talking before jumping in.

Body language

Even if you are nervous, anxious or scared out of your wits, a positive body language will do you well and boost your confidence no end. A firm handshake, an honest smile, holding your head high and shoulders back and making eye contact, will all be remembered by the interviewers as you being a positive and likable candidate.

You may want to take notice of some of your habits you have when you are nervous or being slightly economical with the truth, for example, picking your nails, fiddling with your hair, rubbing your nose, scratching your face etc. The interviewers may not pick up on what these habits represent, but it will definitely distract them. Its better that they listen to what you have to say as opposed to being mesmerised by how often you stick your finger in your ear!

What is your 'listening look'? For many years I used to frown when I was concentrating on what someone was saying - unfortunately their perception of me was that I was angry with them. Now that I am aware I do this, I have changed my 'listening look' by relaxing my face to avoid that frown.
What do you look like when you concentrate?

Do you look angry, bored, confused? How can you check?

ell you can ask someone who's opinion you trust and get then to talk to you. Concentrate hard on what they are saying and then get them to give you feed back on how you look. You can discuss any adjustments that need to be made to change your 'listening look' to something more positive.

CV

Ensure you have a copy of your up-to-date CV with you at the interview. It is unlikely you will need to refer to it, but it will make you feel more confident having it with you. Make sure you are well versed on your CV; there is nothing worse than trying to remember where you worked 5 years ago and fumbling around in your head to recall what you did.

Dipping

If you find yourself in a situation where the interview has dipped and the mood has taken a down turn - stay calm. Humour can help here but don't go too crazy, just put on a smile and explain how nervous you are and be positive. Take a deep breath and carry on. Showing your honesty and the appreciation of the situation with a positive spin will be acknowledged and appreciated by your interviewer(s). Remember there is nothing wrong in saying you are nervous, they are probably nervous too.

Enthusiasm

If there is one thing I enforce more than anything else to my clients it is this: be enthusiastic about the job! Even if it sounds like the dullest job on the planet, you can still show enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is highly infectious and it's something that companies cannot train. Given the choice between 2 candidates - one with skills and no enthusiasm and one with hardly any experience and bags of energy and enthusiasm - the job will mostly likely be offered to the enthusiastic candidate. Remember: companies are happy to invest time in training for the job role, they won't want to bother training someone to have a positive attitude.

Friendly

It is important that the interviewers realise that you will fit in with the team or department. Showing you are approachable and friendly is just as important as having a strong skills set in the job itself.  

Grooming

Yes first impressions do count. Ensure you have the simplest of things sorted: Clean polished shoes, freshly laundered and ironed clothes. If you are a smoker avoid having a quick ciggie right before the interview as the smell will linger, if you are desperate though, make sure you have mints or mouth freshener to hand. Avoid very tight fitting clothes or clothes that will irritate you.
 Ladies: Take care on the jewellery and make-up, a classic look is best. I have interviewed ladies with glitter lipstick and wearing enough jewellery to put Goldsmith's to shame. Avoid showing to much skin even on a hot day (that includes décolletage!). Make sure there are no holes in tights/stockings and it's always a good idea to pack a spare pair discretely in your bag - just in case.
Gentlemen: Ensure your aftershave is not going to knock out a rhino at 20 paces; less is best. Facial hair is OK as long as it's neat and tidy. Avoid 'builder's cleavage' when you bend down, so ensure your shirt is tucked in well.

Homework

Make sure you have done your research on the company and the role as much as you can. Try and remember a few facts about the company, as it will be highly likely they will ask a few questions in this area at the start of the interview. By making a little effort in your research, you will gain a lot of head way at the interview. I am always amazed at the number of candidates who do not bother doing this.

Intuition

Your preparation can in some instances go against you, especially if you have done prep work weeks in advance of the interview. Be ready to be intuitive with your answers and tweak your responses accordingly, rather than regurgitating what you have rehearsed and sounding like a robot.  

"Just one more thing"

This is what I call the Columbo technique. For those of you who missed out on the fabulous 70's detective series, our genius detective Columbo would ask loads of questions to the prime suspect. He would then leave the room, the suspect would then relax and then Columbo would suddenly reappear and say the classic line "..just one more thing " and then deliver the killer question while the suspect was completely off guard.

This can happen to you at the end of the interview. So if you think everything is drawing to an end, please stay in interview mode until you actually physically leave the building...you never know, they could ask that make or break question as you are shaking their hand good bye.

Killer skill set

Don't just think of qualifications and experience when preparing for your interview, chances are you will have a fabulous skill set too. It is very usual for all of us to play down what we do so well. If you made a list of all your skills most, if not all, would be transferable to anything you decide to do.
Remember soft skills are just as important as hands-on skills. So if you are an excellent negotiator, good listener, a natural leader or you just have the ability to brighten a persons day, then remember to mention this and prepare examples where you can illustrate your excellent talents.

Luck

I have put luck in this list as a number of my clients insist that getting the job is more about luck than it is about anything else. I don't agree, if you have done your preparation, dressed according, have a positive attitude with lots of enthusiasm you will definitely be short listed or better still offered the role.

Read Part 2

Source: Link
Author: Sandi Sayer