This is the time to prove yourself to the prospective employer that you're truly the person they are looking for. But wait, interviews, most often than not, could be very tricky because of its various dynamics and because one may not necessarily be able to correctly predict the thoughts of the employer or interviewer who, most probably, is looking for reasons to reject you at this point.
So, what are those things you need to watch out for in the next interview? Let's see them here below:
1. COMMUNICATION
Interpersonal skill, in its various forms and dimensions, is a major skill being sought after by most employers. As you may be aware, communication is the major driver of interpersonal relationships which in turn is a major driver of productivity in the workplace.
Therefore, how you communicate, both verbal and non-verbal aspects of your communication are key in every interview, and you can bet that the interviewer is watching everything intently. When it comes to the verbal aspect which is going to be called to duty most, the interviewer will be noticing whether you talk too much (garrulity) or too little which on its own could affect how you explain yourself with regards to the questions asked. Talking too little may also suggest to the interviewer that you're not as versatile in your field as you have presented in your cv. Garrulity on the other hand may undermine your confidential ability.
The key here, therefore, is to answer the questions asked within their respective frameworks without "garnishment" except you're asked to elucidate or clarify your answer. If so asked, you can give relevant examples of such events in the past.
2. COMPORTMENT
Comportment talks about how you carry yourself and react to people and things. And the measure of your comportment starts from the moment you step on the floor of the organization. Most organizations today have their monitoring cameras everywhere, right from the gate into the reception and at times, some sensitive offices. Alternatively, high-ranking officers of organizations may disguise to be one of the interviewees; it all depends on the sensitivity of the position they're trying to fill.
So, being hypersensitive, saucy, intolerant, and or any display of any other negative energies or emotions may be counterproductive as they could throw a candidate up as unfit, considering the values of the hiring organization.
One thing you should always bear in mind is that what drives the workplace and its productivity is interpersonal relationships, and these don't come without their challenges because of the individual differences that exist amongst individuals in the workplace.
The antidote to giving yourself away on an interview day as a saucy and intolerant prospect is to learn to overlook other people's inadequacies and be no guest to unnecessary outbursts.
3. EMPLOYMENT GAPS
Interviewers, and indeed, employers are wary of employees taking their work or job offer as a stopgap thing. Rather, they are on the lookout for employees who are ready to be committed to their job right from the word go.
Ordinarily, if you're one with gaps in your employment history, you ought to have taken care of them by employing the services of professional resume writers who would have blocked the gaps with relevant things and or coached you on how to answer questions bothering on the gaps.
Employers want permanence and continuity in their work, not obnoxious disruption of work caused by employee turnover because one employee feels like leaving for greener pastures.
4. BAD-MOUTHING
From experience, interviewees are fond of talking either their former or present workplaces down in an interview. They often feel and think that bringing up the challenges in their jobs and the entire workplace up could and would help their mission. Unfortunately, the prospective employer will see such a candidate either as a trouble maker, who doesn't like challenges. And if you talked ill about your colleagues at work, you risk being seen as a bad team player and someone who finds it difficult to fit into groups.
So, when a question like "why do you want to leave your present place of work" is asked, employers or interviewers will be moved when your answer has nothing to do with your job, colleagues, and the entire workplace, but rather, for career advancement and or enhancement. Saying things like "although I like my present job and company so much, but the role you advertised is a step ahead of my present role and I will like to take up the challenge because it will help me to grow further in my career" will do the job.
5. POOR DRESSING
I ran into somebody some time ago who needed some help. I queried him about his work and he told me he had none despite his educational qualifications. I gave him my complimentary card and told him to send me his cv that I will be on the lookout for opportunities for him. Eventually, an opportunity came before long and I called him for an interview. But his dressing of a T-shirt on a cut-and-sew trouser with worn sneakers underneath and a Panama cap on top defeated every good plan I had for him as he became the talk and joke of the day amongst my co-interviewers. On seeing him, I was so embarrassed that I refrained from allowing my colleagues to know I met him prior to the interview.
So, what dressing is proper for an interview? I have always said that interviews are not parties and so, flamboyant dressings aren't needed. What interviewers look for more are smartness and cleanliness. For an interview, "dress-to-kill" is totally off-the-mark.
As a candidate, you ought to have an idea of the kind of job you are applying for and how people in that profession dress. You could take a cue from that. Basically, excessive dressings or dressing below expectations will not be appreciated. For ladies, excessive makeup is not necessary for an interview except, of course, you have another mission. For men, you could just go in your neat and well-ironed shirt and trouser even if you don't have a tie to it, depending on the position you are applying for. If you're applying for a managerial and or executive position, you would need a tie to match even if you don't have a suit on top of it. As for suits, your suit must not be too tight nor too big such that you'll become uncomfortable in it because the discomfort occasioned by your dressing would definitely affect your comportment and which are necessary if you were to have a good day at the interview.
6. SALARY ISSUES
Yes, we know the chief reason many works is to get money to enhance their social status, but it could be the greatest danger to your success at the interview. I will implore you to read this article on two types of employees so that you gain an insight into how the employer views a candidate to whom salary is major.
When the question finally comes as to how much you want if you were to be employed, NEVER be too forward or quick to reel out figures. Please, read this article for more information.
In conclusion, landing a job interview is not all about it, but the interview room evaluates your past and present and ultimately determines what happens thereafter to your future. Every interview, therefore, must be given every diligence they required.
To your job-hunting success,
Salient Consulting.
At Salient Consulting, we don't only help you prepare interview-winning resumes, we also prepare you for the interview properly by putting you through actual and real interview settings with common questions and the correct or expected answers. With our almost two decades of experience in different industries, we also help you create scenarios and events that match every feature we put on your cv.
You can talk to us on 07064694037, 08028993054 or e-mail: salientconceptse@gmail.com
