How to Blow an Interview
Even the most well-prepared, intelligent job seeker can turn into a bumbling mess once anxiety enters the equation. Nerves can't be avoided -- but some of the most common interview mistakes can.
Clothes make the (wo)man
If punctuality is important, dressing appropriately is downright crucial. Hiring managers complain that candidates come to interviews dressed in T-shirts, jeans and flip-flops.
"Research the company dress code and dress one level above company policy," suggests Dawn Gill, district director of Spherion Staffing Services in the Southeast.
"If you find the company dress code is business casual, for example, then plan to wear dress slacks or a skirt and blouse," she says. "If the company code is casual, plan to dress at the business-casual level -- which may mean khakis or other comfortable slacks or skirts paired with proper shirts."
If you have any doubt what clothing will be appropriate, wear a suit. And remember: While taking care of your appearance is a good thing, vanity can work against you.
"During the interview process, I've had a few candidates adjust their hair in the reflection in the window behind my desk -- sometimes they check themselves out three, four, five times," laments Greg Wilson, vice president of Levick Strategic Communications in Washington, D.C.
"Vanity does not become anyone in the interview process," he says. "Get it together before you show up. Otherwise I'll think you've never met a mirror you didn't like."
Timing is everything
Getting to the interview is never as simple as expected. If you need to be there promptly at 8 a.m., you can bet there will be snow, gridlocked traffic or a complete meltdown of your city's public transportation system.
Since you can't precisely predict your commute time, leave as early as you can.
"It may be only five minutes to you, but showing up late for an interview is inappropriate," says Roberta Chinsky Matuson, principal of Northampton, Mass.-based Human Resource Solutions.
"Do what you have to do to get out the door early," she says. "Worst-case scenario: You sit in the parking lot and listen to your iPod until it's time to go in."
A little too revealing
"What do you know about the company?" isn't the only question throwing job seekers off course. Unfortunately, many nervous job seekers begin rambling when confronted with a tough question, revealing potentially negative information about their skills or character.
"Usually it's the most sensitive questions where people don't know where to stop," says Diane Wilson, a Chicago career and executive coach and author of "Back in Control: How to stay sane, productive and inspired in your career transition."
These tricky questions include: "Why did you leave your last job?", "What are your strengths and weaknesses?", and "Tell me about yourself."
"The best thing to do is to write out your answers and do some inner preparation," Wilson says.
