“How Not To Get Hired” – Interview Blunders

If you’re looking for a new job, have been out of work for a while or have been on dozens of interviews – all to no avail, then here are a few reasons why you might not have been hired.  Granted we are in a recession and there are more candidates applying for the same vacancies, and employers can be a lot more choosey.  However, applying a few ground rules will hopefully stack the odds in your favour next time.  So don’t make these mistakes…

Wearing the wrong outfit

This includes (if you’re a woman), wearing a low cut top, or wearing a skirt that waaaay to short.  Wear clothes that are appropriate for the industry – but don’t go over the top.  Too much perfume can also be off putting.  The interviewer doesn’t want to be distracted by an overpowering aroma, or clothes that are a distraction.

Shabby Shoes

Always ensure that you are wearing shoes that have been cleaned and polished, and don’t need re-heeling.  Obviously wearing flip flops or motorcycle boots aren’t a good idea either, unless you’re going after a job as a life guard or motorcycle despatch rider…

Loud Jewellery

Of course you need to pay attention to what we call grooming, i.e. having accessories that compliment your outfit.  But large chunky rings, big earrings, nose  and lip piercings and cluncky bracelets are a distracting annoyance.  PLUS they could indicate that you aren’t really that serious about actually getting a job.  So tone it down a bit.

Not doing your research

Meaning, have you checked out the company that will be interviewing you?  It should only take a few minutes to find them on the internet and look into what they do and where they are located.  If you’ve demonstrated that you have done a bit of homework, it will impress the interviewer and show that you are interested in them. 

Being late

I remember being 20 minutes late for an interview which was being held in Oxford Street.  I ran into the interview, completely out of breath, and feeling really bad that I’d not timed my journey properly.  I then couldn’t find the offices where I was being interviewed.  Fortunately for me I must have done something right because they hired me on the spot!  However, being late is a really bad sign.  So always time your journey and if you experience any problems do phone the agency who recommended you, or the company where you are being interviewed, to let them know you will be late.

Nobody likes a wet fish! 

If you take nothing else away from this article – go and practice shaking hands.  A firm, genuine grip works best.  AND if you are a man shaking hands with a woman – take it from me – women do not like men who just briefly squeeze our fingers in a kind of half-hearted pathetic attempt at a handshake.  Women do know how to shake hands a well, just don’t be a wimp about it.

The CV From Hell

A badly written, scruffy CV which goes on for ages will never be read, and will never get you an interview.  There are a few simple rules here.  Print it on prestine clean paper, keep it short and to the point.  Add all the relevant information so that an employer knows how to get in touch with you.  Type it on white paper, with a regular font (i.e. Ariel, Verdana or Times New Roman).  Include bullet points to save space.  Include key areas where you have demonstrated expertise or a success.  Try and keep it to under 3 pages. Always  be able to demonstrate your areas of expertise when asked – e.g. some successes, where you’ve excelled and how you achived that. 

A Bad Attitude

I remember years ago I was helping out with some interviews for my then boss.  I offered one candidate a cup of tea and when my boss asked me to bring her into his office for the interviewed she then announced “when I’ve finished my tea”.  Remember to be polite and courteous at all times.  Say hello, smile and take the lead from the interviewer.  If you have to wait, smile and be patient.  When asked about your past experiences or why you left your previous job – don’t go on and on about how bad your last boss was or how badly you were treated.  Nobody likes to hire someone who has a massive chip on their shoulder.  A great attitude will nearly always make up for any shortcomings you may have – just show willing and be an approachable, reasonable person.

Use your common sense

I recall one boss I worked for used to joke about never hiring anyone who didn’t bring a biro with them.  One of my colleagues would ask his candidates to reassemble a set of occasional tables as a way of working their IQ (he did this just for a laugh).   Which means that at least give the impression that you are fairly clued in, so carry a pen, some form of ID and be up for the challenge!

Is that your phone ringing?

I think your worst nightmare is your phone ringing during an interview, worse than that is having a ring tone that sounds like Lady Gaga, but the fatal mistake would be actually answering it, OR carrying on a lengthy conversation.  You might think you’re important, you might think it looks clever, but take it from me.  It doesn’t.  Turn it off.  The only reason you should have your phone with you – is if there’s an emergency and you need to make a call, or you get lost and need directions, or if your car breaks down. 

Check your Social Media Profile

More and more employers these days are checking out potential clients on Social Media – i.e. Facebook and Linked In.  Make sure that all your relevant work experience is on Linked In – if you’re serious about getting THAT job – you MUST have a profile on Linked in and start to network online.  If you’ve got any dodgy photos on Facebook – lose them.  Nothing will destroy your reputation faster is some photo of you in a compromising position at the hen night, stag do or Christmas party.  Be sensible – or don’t share your photos with everyone. 

Looking like your cat just died

One team of executives I worked for used to ask me which candidate they hired after they’d done all the interviews.  9 times out of 10 I always picked the same person they interviewed.  I’m not sure if that says anything about my observation skills, but if you arrive at the interview with a face like thunder or that you’re really not happy then why should anyone give you a job?  Sure, yeah shit happens and we all have to do things under extreme pressure, but get over it and get on with it.  I heard one story about a guy who was homeless and was sleeping on the streets.  He had to change in the public toilets and hide his suitcase in reception when he went for interviews – but because he had the right attitude and was super keen – he got hired! 

Don’t be a smart arse

I remember one of my bosses was interviewing internally for a Project Manager.  One of my colleagues applied for the job – but he was ridiculously over confident.  His body language was so completely over the top it was hilarious.  He spent the whole interview sitting with his hands behind his head, leaning back in the chair as if to say “yeah, I could do this job standing on my head”.  His approach completely back-fired and what should have been a formality turned into a disaster.  Of course you need to look keen, but don’t over do it.  Sit leaning forward, make eye contact, smile, be yourself and look interested. 

Taking rejection really badly

Yes, not getting the job can be a body blow, but hounding your interviewer or demanding to know why you weren’t hired can be counter-productive.  Yes it helps to receive a letter to explain why you haven’t been hired, (or even just to let you know) but sometimes not all organisations are organised enough (or have the time) to tell every single person that they weren’t successful.  Take it on the chin, get over it and move onto the next job application.  It happens to everyone – don’t spend to long agonising over what you did or didn’t do, because the time spent on lamenting your loss is time you should be planning your next move.  Besides the job may have been offered internally, the chemistry was possibly wrong, you didn’t fit the criteria, or they didn’t like your shoes….