An earlier article listed five ways that people typically sabotage themselves during an interview but realizing that there are far more than merely five, here is a follow up list of five more ways you can unintentionally bomb your next job interview.

1. Not Listening
   There are many ways candidates don’t listen during interviews. While nerves may be to blame, most commonly interviewees are more concerned with trying to anticipate the next question thereby allowing most of what the interviewer is saying to go over their head. Don’t fall into this trap. Absorb every detail of what that person is saying to you so that you can be prepared to respond. Very often referring back to a point the interviewer made is a good way to demonstrate that you are not only listening but paying attention. Drifting off is never a good way to participate in an interview.
2. Under or Over Dressed
   Make sure you come dressed to impress during an interview. Showing up in pajamas or a t-shirt is likely a poor choice when looking for a desk job while showing up in a tuxedo will probably make you look like an idiot
   if you opt for a more hands on field.
3. Disingenuous Behavior
   It’s reinforced over and over again but you should always be yourself during an interview. Putting on an act or being fake may seem like a good way to tell an interviewer what they want to hear but it can often backfire or, in worse cases, show through and point out that you’re being phony. If you’re not comfortable with who you are going into an interview it is likely that the job position isn’t for you.
4. Passiveness
   Sitting back in your chair during an interview, looking bored, tired or just not demonstrating enthusiasm is a quick way to damn your job chances. Interviewers want candidates that actually want to be working.  laying the slacker may be cute at home but it isn’t going to impress anyone in the professional world. Be excited for the job even if you’re not sure if you’ll get it. It can only help your chances.
5. Being Unprepared
   This may be the biggest interview killer of them all. Showing up rushed or unprepared shows. Make sure you are on time, with materials in hand such as extra resumes and cover letters and that you know what you’re walking in to. Don’t pull the college kid routine and walk in ten minutes late without materials and think everything is going to be ok. It won’t be.

Ever bomb an interview? Ever score a big success? Sound off below in the comment section and share your experiences.

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If it wasn’t for child labor laws, kids would be a hard demographic to compete with in the workplace. Obviously this is simple hyperbole but children have an uncanny knack to find creative solutions to problems that otherwise baffle adults. Furthermore, children possess a razor sharp mind for learning and inventiveness. All in all, kids can present themselves in very imaginative ways that grabs people’s attention. Beyond sending your kid off to work as a chimney sweep, take a few lessons on how the viewpoint of a child can help you ace your next interview. Here are three tips that can help you land a job by resorting to thinking outside of the box.

1. Imagination
   Before you can get to an interview, you have to find a job. A child has an incredibly active imagination, usually far more developed than many adults. Personal experiences and maturity diminish the power of people’s imaginations because living in the real world forces adults to become grounded in facts and figures, thinking about what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t work. A kid has the luxury of indulging their creative side and can present some interesting solutions that many college graduates aren’t always capable of working out. Therefore, when seeking a job or going in for an interview, be inventive. Create a video blog with professional flourishes that allows you market yourself to employers in an entertaining and concise way.
2. No Bore
   Children are the antithesis of boring and as you head into an interview, embrace this spirit. Hiring managers and interviewers have seen plenty of boring people walk through their doors. Every is so self conscious during an interview and trying to be as dry and professional as possible. Shake things up by opting to be energetic and enthused to be interviewing. Show your excitement. Even if you need to pound a couple cups of coffee on the way in, bring up the level of energy in the room by talking about yourself in an excited and energetic way.
3. No Fear
   Kids have fewer life experiences that teach them to be cautious and wary of their environment. Children dive right in, with little thought of their own safety. Embrace this spirit and enter your interview like a daredevil. Fear nothing. Obviously this is hard to pull off overnight. Still, work yourself up into a job getting machine. Strip away your inhibitions and fears when you enter an interview. The hiring manager will take notice of your state of mind and this can certainly distance you from other candidates.

These lessons from a child can be hard to implement but it helps to keep in mind that there are other options to being a dry, boring adult.

Have you embraced your inner child in the workplace or on an interview? Post a comment and let everyone know.

Tags: interview advice

Tags: interview advice
Posted in Interview Advice | No Comments »