These days employers might be sneakier in how you tell your story. That’s why your success in getting hired would solely depend on you and you alone.
If you think the resume is the heartbeat of a successful job interview, ponder on it again, and add some of our few cool pieces of advice in your kitty.
Cracking a joke and tackling an oddball interview question are soft skills that will manifest your core abilities relevant to the scope of the post. So rather than memorizing your drawn-out would-be introduction to create a good impression, have your thoughts ready. Cultivating the mind for some unexpected topics or questions that can flare up, and situations that may fire your way has got you covered. By doing so, you can avoid too much jitters sitting in front of your prospective employers.
See, you want or need that job badly, so do others in the queue. But whatever dime a dozen cards your co-applicants put on the table, rather stand out and ace the interview by setting yourself apart – avoid communication mistakes or lapses that they commit.
Here are the most common lines or phrases that often upset applicants’ chances to make it through:
1 “Sorry, I’m late. It was traffic!”
It’s bad enough that you’re late for the interview. It should stop there. Don’t rub salt into the wound with a terrible grammar. First, traffic is a noun, not an adjective. Collins Dictionary describes it as: “[Uncountable noun] referring to all vehicles that are moving along the roads in a particular area.” If you want to say you were caught or stuck in heavy traffic, go ahead. As long as you tell it right. Second red flag is that this kind of excuse, whether true or not, doesn’t quite add up. So, neither be late nor grammatically challenged in telling this sort of alibi.
2 “I want this job because I need to earn ASAP”
Other than finding a better career move, most job-seekers are looking for a job to put a roof over their head. If you want to stand out, interview-etiquette wise, making it appear as if it were your sole reason would only allow yourself to sit among the bunch. Rather than rationalizing your intention to earn a penny, highlight how the job can help you grow career-wise, and take you a step closer to your long-term goal.
3 “I don’t take criticism very well”
Criticism, if it’s constructive, is an essential part of learning. If you don’t allow people to tell you about what’s lacking with your work, you’ll never know how to improve it in turn. There’s always room for improvement, however cliché it may sound, and feedback, if you handle it without feeling so discouraged, can guide you towards that space.
4 “Can I give you a ring back? I kind of want to go back to sleep”
Online interviews, either via mobile phones or Skype, are much more convenient compared to a face-to-face interview. Aside from saving money, time, and effort, you can save yourself from anxieties or insecurities as well. Imagine, you need not worry about dressing up; all will be done at the comfort of your home. So, ask yourself: “Is your sleeping schedule that big of a sacrifice?”
By telling an employer that you would rather go back to sleep than speak with them, you’re letting them know that you’re entirely uninterested. Set an alarm a couple of hours early, pick up your mobile immediately as the employer gives you a ring, and smile as you speak because it can resonate with the tone of your voice.
5 “I actually have no idea what a/an (position you applied for) does”
First, the sore point in this phrase is that the word ‘actually’ implies that there’s something ambivalent with the way you articulate your thoughts. As per Reader’s Digest article, the crutch word is full of contradiction, the last thing you’d want cast on the interviewer’s mind.
Next, familiarize yourself with the responsibilities that come with the job. Let your employers spot right on that you know very well what you’re getting into, ready to start, and worthy of the opportunity.
