Losing a dream job because of a faulty interview process is a nightmare for anyone.
While most of us have been taught the basics of how to nail an interview, many of us still tend to come into interviews without considering all the little things that can culminate into an interview being lost.
It is always astounding to me the number of simple concepts are lost on so many individuals who are looking for work.
With this in mind, I compiled a simple list, partnered with explanations of simple missteps to avoid.
Do not become a victim of stupid mistakes that will cost you your dream job.
Be professional Lying on your resume, disclosing confidential information about another job, badmouthing past employers or coworkers, telling inappropriate jokes, fail to understand what the job entails, having no future plan for your stay at the job.
All of these should be purged from your interviewing process immediately.
Each is inappropriate for the interview process and will surely bring failure in the interview.
Use temperance Temperance is a concept that was first noted by the Greek philosopher Aristotle.
The idea, simply put, is to not have too much or too little of any personality trait or action.
In other words, just like so many situations in life, you do not want too much or too little when it comes to things like confidence, nervousness, excitement, poise, and so on.
Simply put, one must avoid being too nervous while also not being too confident.
One who is too nervous, stuttering, sweaty, and an overall mess during an interview shows a lack of confidence.
That lack of confidence can cost one his or her chance of seizing the dream job.
Conversely for confident.
When one is too confident in an interview it can seem as if he or she is not taking the job seriously or thinks it is not worth his or her full effort.
Keep yourself focused While it does not help to stare a hole right through the interviewers head, it is also important you maintain proper focus.
Both nervous and overly confident job seekers tend to fail to keep proper eye contact.
Many who are nervous also tend to fidget with items in the office, or continually readjust in their seat, correcting their collar or tie.
While most of these actions are not in themselves disrespectful, they can be distracting to both you and the employer.
Remain respectful First and foremost, do not chew gum.
The chewing of gum both shows a level of disrespect and gives the impression that you do not take the job seriously.
Remain formal with your interviewer's title and name.
Do not utilize nicknames whatsoever; even if you heard someone else utilizes the alteration of the name.
While some think this shows a positive personality trait, you as the interviewee are not applying for a position as acquaintance, but as an employee.
An employee must remain formal unless explicitly allowed to speak informally.
Speak Clearly and Calmly The concept of proper speech needs its own category, though it may be considered part of the nervous/overconfident section.
When at an interview, especially for a dream job, we tend to speak too quickly and can often trip over our own words.
Practicing things you might say beforehand can help lower the possibility of speaking too quickly or without purpose.
Remembering to always speak clearly with assertiveness and respect, all while maintaining a consistent speed and volume may take some practice.
While most of us have been taught the basics of how to nail an interview, many of us still tend to come into interviews without considering all the little things that can culminate into an interview being lost.
It is always astounding to me the number of simple concepts are lost on so many individuals who are looking for work.
With this in mind, I compiled a simple list, partnered with explanations of simple missteps to avoid.
Do not become a victim of stupid mistakes that will cost you your dream job.
Be professional Lying on your resume, disclosing confidential information about another job, badmouthing past employers or coworkers, telling inappropriate jokes, fail to understand what the job entails, having no future plan for your stay at the job.
All of these should be purged from your interviewing process immediately.
Each is inappropriate for the interview process and will surely bring failure in the interview.
Use temperance Temperance is a concept that was first noted by the Greek philosopher Aristotle.
The idea, simply put, is to not have too much or too little of any personality trait or action.
In other words, just like so many situations in life, you do not want too much or too little when it comes to things like confidence, nervousness, excitement, poise, and so on.
Simply put, one must avoid being too nervous while also not being too confident.
One who is too nervous, stuttering, sweaty, and an overall mess during an interview shows a lack of confidence.
That lack of confidence can cost one his or her chance of seizing the dream job.
Conversely for confident.
When one is too confident in an interview it can seem as if he or she is not taking the job seriously or thinks it is not worth his or her full effort.
Keep yourself focused While it does not help to stare a hole right through the interviewers head, it is also important you maintain proper focus.
Both nervous and overly confident job seekers tend to fail to keep proper eye contact.
Many who are nervous also tend to fidget with items in the office, or continually readjust in their seat, correcting their collar or tie.
While most of these actions are not in themselves disrespectful, they can be distracting to both you and the employer.
Remain respectful First and foremost, do not chew gum.
The chewing of gum both shows a level of disrespect and gives the impression that you do not take the job seriously.
Remain formal with your interviewer's title and name.
Do not utilize nicknames whatsoever; even if you heard someone else utilizes the alteration of the name.
While some think this shows a positive personality trait, you as the interviewee are not applying for a position as acquaintance, but as an employee.
An employee must remain formal unless explicitly allowed to speak informally.
Speak Clearly and Calmly The concept of proper speech needs its own category, though it may be considered part of the nervous/overconfident section.
When at an interview, especially for a dream job, we tend to speak too quickly and can often trip over our own words.
Practicing things you might say beforehand can help lower the possibility of speaking too quickly or without purpose.
Remembering to always speak clearly with assertiveness and respect, all while maintaining a consistent speed and volume may take some practice.