| Job seekers, if you aren't getting past the first | | | | In my recruiting days, I abhorred over-talkative |
| interview it's time to improve your interviewing skills. | | | | candidates, and so did most of my client employers |
| First of all, do you know the top five interview | | | | who interviewed these candidates. Over-talking takes |
| mistakes? If not, keep reading ... | | | | several forms: |
| We've all heard stories of job candidates who looked | | | | * Taking too long to answer direct questions. The |
| great on paper but who were absolute disasters in | | | | impression: This candidate just can't get to the point. |
| person. With fewer interview opportunities available in | | | | * Nervous talkers. The impression: This candidate is |
| our competitive job market, it's essential to make the | | | | covering up something or is outright lying. |
| best possible first impression. Learn from the mistakes | | | | To avoid either of these forms of over-talking, practice |
| of others and avoid these top five worst interview | | | | answering questions in a direct manner. Using |
| blunders: | | | | role-playing in preparing for your interview will help you |
| 1. Not preparing for the tough interview questions. | | | | avoid excessive, nervous talking. |
| Like every job seeker, you probably have your own | | | | 4. Saying negative things about your current or past |
| set of tough interview questions you hope will never | | | | employers or managers. |
| be asked. The best strategy is to prepare ahead of | | | | Even if your last boss was Attila the Hun, avoid stating |
| time with answers to ALL of these questions. A | | | | your ill feelings about the person or work situation. No |
| career coach can be a great resource for helping you | | | | matter how reasonable your complaints, your negative |
| work out suitable answers with a positive spin on | | | | comments will be viewed as disrespect towards your |
| negative or challenging career situations. | | | | boss. When faced with the challenge of talking about |
| 2. Failure to match communication styles. | | | | former employers, make sure you are prepared with a |
| Making a great first impression is easier to do when | | | | positive spin on your experiences. |
| you communicate effectively with your interviewer. | | | | 5. Giving away too much salary and earnings |
| The best way to do this is by mirroring his or her | | | | information. |
| communication style. Allowing your interviewer to set | | | | Candidates often weaken their future earning potential |
| the tone of the conversation will put him or her at ease | | | | by speaking too freely about their current income. No |
| and makes the conversation flow more naturally. | | | | matter the official salary range of the position you are |
| For instance: | | | | interviewing for, your current earnings have an |
| * If the interviewer seems all business, don't attempt to | | | | enormous effect on the size of the offer. Investing in a |
| loosen him or her up with a joke or story. Be succinct | | | | career coach to help you answer salary questions can |
| and businesslike. | | | | add thousands of dollars to your new job offer. |
| * If the interviewer is personable, try discussing his or | | | | You already know that it takes a strong resume that |
| her interests. Often personal items on display in the | | | | sets you apart as a candidate of choice to be invited |
| office can be a clue. | | | | for an interview. The next step is to hone your |
| * If asked a direct question, answer directly. Then | | | | interviewing skills to actually win job offers. Polishing |
| follow up by asking if more information is needed. | | | | your interviewing skills can mean the difference |
| 3. Talking too much. | | | | between getting the job and being a runner-up. |