Don’t be that candidate!
I love interviewing! I think it’s fun and interesting regardless of which side of the table I’m occupying, as the interviewer or interviewee. When you have two or more people in a room talking there’s no telling what will happen, especially when it comes to something as important as a job. Think about it, if you select that candidate or get chosen for the position, you will potentially be seeing each other every single weekday for years to come!
That said, here are a few watch-outs I have for you given my experience interviewing thousands of people. In other words, don’t be this candidate!
The candidate that shows up 45 minutes early for the interview. Yes, it’s important to be punctual, but did you know that showing up too early for an interview could count against you? It happened to me many times when I was a hiring manager. I didn’t want that candidate to wait in the lobby feeling uncomfortable, but I always had meetings or other commitments that didn’t allow me to speak to him earlier than planned. Be respectful of your interviewers time, and don’t expect her to change her agenda due to your inability to arrive when scheduled. If you arrive early review your notes in the car or do a little more research about the company on your cell phone, then head into the office a few minutes prior to your designated interview time.
The candidate that is professional, but only towards the interviewer. I’ve had candidates be rude and dismissive to receptionists, co-workers, and even fellow candidates. When I was hiring at our agency, I tried to solicit feedback from every person at our company that interacted with the candidate. Of course you are on your best behavior when it comes to the person that is interviewing you. How you treat people goes a long way, and your interactions with every single person help shed light on your true character. If you are rude to our own employees, how can we trust you to represent our company or interact with clients and consumers?
The candidate that doesn’t ask any questions. If you are really interested in a company and the related position, you should have some intelligent and thought-provoking questions prepared for your interviewer. That is your chance to show you are knowledgeable about a company’s mission and/or challenges, and learn more about aspects of the company that are important to you. I can’t tell you how many candidates told me, “Well, you’ve done such a good job providing information about the position and company, I don’t have any questions.” That doesn’t make me feel good about my interviewing skills; it tells me you are unmotivated and not really interested in bettering yourself or our company.
When you are in the midst of a job search, put yourself in the shoes of an interviewer. That exercise can help you identify issues that may hurt rather than help your candidacy. Given your actions and behavior, would you hire yourself?
