Job Shopping

Interviewing for a new job is stressful. Due to the nerves that stress can cause, it is easy to make a mistake. Unfortunately, an errors can mean the difference between obtaining your dream job or losing it forever.

As part of business management for 20 years and having owned my own business, I have hired a few employees. In doing so, I made sure certain points were covered before going into the interview. Individuals that didn't comply started off with strikes against them.

Be on time. Showing up late for an interview is like showing up late for work. It is never acceptable.

Dress for success. Dress appropriate for the job for which you are applying. Anything less show blatant disrespect for the business.

Be prepared. Employers today use different interviewing techniques. While a personal one on one interview is still the norm, stress and committee interviewing are becoming popular. Be prepared to answer any legal question under any acceptable interview situation.

Have accurate and complete paperwork. That includes a resume, a job application, samples of your work (if applicable) and anything else the employer has requested ahead of time. Failing to comply could open the door for someone else to take your job.

Take the interview seriously. During ice breaking, a little lighthearted banter might be instigated by the employer. Play along if you can. Once the formal part of the interview begins; however, it is time to get serious and act with total professionalism.

Keep your personal life to yourself. Most employers don't care how much you need the job. They don't want to hear about your finances. Niether are they interested in how much time you spend on other activities. Don't volunteer that information unless it is asked for.

While teaching interviewing skills at the small business institute in Oklahoma, I identified other mistakes that should be avoided during the interview process.

Never hedge or avoid a question. Changing the focus of an interview question or avoiding it altogether raises a red flag. It makes the employer wonder if you are hiding something or, worse yet, unable to respond.

Don't talk about former jobs or employers in a negative light. While it may be true that your last employer treated you unfairly, your potential new employer has no way of knowing that. It becomes a matter of your word against that of a fellow employer. Right or wrong, it is clear on which side he or she will come down.

Avoid appearing disinterested. If you act like you could care less whether or not you get the job, chances are you won't. Instead, keep the energy up and appear interested in every aspect of the interview.

Don't get caught up in the money. In fact, avoid all talk about money during the actual interview. Let that come into play once a job offer is made. The employer wants to know that you are in it for the opportunity, not for the money.

Never lie. Padded resumes or job applications are unacceptable. They become obvious when you can't answer questions in the applicable area. Being dishonest is a sure-fire way for you to get booted out the door.

Don't focus on what you can't do. Nobody can do everything and no smart employer expects that. It is rare that anyone enters a job with every skill it requires and at the optimum level. Employers respect people who focus on what they can bring to the table, along with an unwavering eagerness to learn the rest.

Park the negativity at the door. Complaining about the job in any way is mistake. If you don't like the hours, the pay, the atmosphere or the amount of work involved, then save yourself and the employer some time. Don't apply!

In today's foundering economy, jobs are a premium. There are dozens of people standing in the employment line right along with you. To get the job, you have to not only want it, but also be prepared to give the employer exactly what he wants and needs. Accomplish that and you may just avoid the unemployment line.

RESOURCES:

U.S. News, Money, by Miriam Salpeter; published March 23, 2011
Interview the Top 10 Interview Mistakes, All Business - A Dunn & Bradstreet Company (see link)
Human Resources Development, by Bill Gregory and Charlie Kuchinsky, 1999 (rights owned by the US SBA)