Janice Worthington MA, CPRW, JCTC, CEIP Send Janice a Question

Interview Blunders…And You Should Have Gotten That Offer!  As a Job Search Coach I constantly remind my clients of the two reasons that interviews don’t turn into offers…..either the client committed some kind of a blunder or he performed well but was outperformed to the preference of another by the target employer. Interviewing has become quite a complicated event and most folks, since they job search so seldom, have no clue regarding the new rules of the road. We have been taught to count on our qualifications to impress and believe that if we are qualified we are entitled. If you’ve ever said, “I deserved that job,” then you are living in the past. The best team doesn’t always win… the team that plays best in the big game gets the trophy. It’s far easier to simply avoid interview blunders than it is to deliver compelling interviews. Since the candidate must do both, we’ll first investigate some common interview blunders. Here are just a few….more next month… Lack of Direction – One of hiring’s oldest tricks occurs when the interviewer asks a client is why he has selected this particular company to spend the majority of his waking time for what hopefully will be many years. And amazingly enough, other than the fact that the employer has a vacancy and the candidate needs a paycheck, the candidate really doesn’t have a good reason for wanting to join the company. Too often the candidate offers responses that include “opportunity for advancement,” and “I like to work with people.” Offered innocently enough, these are empty answers that have been used so often they put interviewers to sleep. It’s impossible for a company to see a candidate taking their company in the right direction when he has no clue where he personally wants to go. Past Life Baggage – We have all been treated unfairly at one time or another by bosses, colleagues, customers or even family and friends. At the same time job search can be especially disheartening because both the tight market and the slow grind of multiple interviews, drug tests and reference checks. It’s difficult not to feel rejected, wondering if everyone is seeing some sort of a flaw in you. And it’s equally challenging to put on your “interview face and attitude” despite the negatives that may be inside of you. Anything less than a positive and encouraging personality will result in elimination. Don’t be bitter toward your old employer and don’t discuss how tough job search has been. Don’t ever appear desperate. You may have to give an academy award performance but be sure to operate from a position of strength. Unwillingness to “Brag” – If doesn’t appear to be worth the money you wouldn’t buy it would you? Neither will the employer. Remember you are a product for purchase and if your value isn’t on the table for all to see you’ll lose the attention of the hiring authority. What do you know? What have you done? What are you strengths that will aid in accomplishing the employer’s mission? And, oh yes, do you even know his mission? Delivered as an offering of assistance to assist in achieving a company’s purpose takes the brag out of selling yourself as opposed to pounding on your chest…. Try it!

Janice Worthington is President of Worthington Career Services, Ohio’s oldest resume preparation firm and one of the oldest in the U.S. With 14 years of corporate recruiting experience, Worthington Career Services opened its doors focused on applicant empowerment in 1973. She is known for advising some of America’s highest-ranking industry leaders. Please send Janice your questions at janice@worthingtonresumes.com . For more information on Janice, please visit her website at http://www.worthingtonresumes.com/!