Posted By: Staff Editor In: Job Seeker - Interview By Jonathan Littman and Marc Hershon
The dreaded job interview. No matter your resume and talents if you mess this up you won’t get that job. In today's tough economy you need every possible edge. As authors of the new book, I Hate People! Kick Loose from the Overbearing and Underhanded Jerks at Work and Get What you Want Out of Your Job, we see it as a simple equation: You want to be liked – not hated.
Here are ten simple things to do that will dramatically increase your chances: from wearing the right expression, to knowing what not to say, to never ever breaking a sweat.
1. Don’t be a Smiley Face
Excessive smiling in a job interview is seen for what it is –nervousness and a lack of confidence. A Smiley Face exudes phoniness, which will quickly be picked up by the interviewer. Instead be thoughtful and pleasant. Smile when there’s something to smile about. Do a practice run in front of a mirror or friend.
2. Don’t be a Know-It-None
Your job is to be knowledgeable about the company for which you’re interviewing. Random facts about last night’s episode of Dancing With The Stars episode or your favorite blog will not get you the job. Never feel you have to fill an interview with small talk. Find ways to talk about serious subjects related to the industry or company. Pockets of silence are better than padding an interview with random babble.
3. Don’t Sweat
You can lose a job by wearing an undershirt or simply a little too much clothing. Sweaty palms or beads on your forehead will not impress. You are not applying to be a personal trainer. Sweat will be seen as a sign of weakness and nervousness. Do a practice run with your job interview outfit in front of friends. The job interview is one place you definitely don’t want to be hot.
4. Put down that Stop Sign
Interviewers are seeking candidates eager to take on challenging projects and jobs. Hesitance and a nay saying mentality will be as visible as a red tie – and seen as a negative. Practice saying “yes “ to questions about your interest in tasks and work that might normally give you pause.
5. Don’t be a Sheeple
Asking the location of the lunchroom or meeting room will clue the interviewer into your lack of preparation and initiative. Prepare. Don’t ask questions about routine elements or functions of a company: where stuff is, the size of your cube and company policy on coffee breaks.
6. Don’t be a Liar Liar
Studies show that employees lie frequently in the workplace. Lying won’t get you one. In a job interview even a slight exaggeration is lying. Don’t. Never stretch your resume or embellish accomplishments. There’s a difference between speaking with a measured confidence and engaging in BS. One lie can ruin your entire interview, and the skilled interviewer will spot the lie and show you the door.
7. Don’t Be a Bad Comedian
Humor tends to be very subjective and while it may be tempting to lead your interview with a joke you’ve got to be careful about your material. You probably will know nothing about the sensibilities of your interviewer, let alone what makes them laugh. On the other hand, nothing disarms the tension of a job interview like a little laughter, so you can probably score at least a courtesy chuckle mentioning that it’s “perfect weather for a job interview!”
8. Don’t Be High Maintenance
If you start talking about the ideal office temperature, the perfect chair for your tricky back, and how the water cooler needs to be filled with imported mineral water, chances are you’ll be shown a polite smile and the door, regardless of your qualifications. Nobody hiring today is going to be looking for someone who’s going to be finicky about their workspace.
9. Don’t Be A Minute Man
At every job interview, the prospective hire is given the chance to ask questions. Make yours intelligent, to the point and watch the person across the desk for visual cues whether you’ve asked enough. Ask too many questions about off-target matters and you’ll be thought of as a Minute Man, destined to waste the company’s resources with insignificant and time-wasting matters.
10. Don’t Be A Switchblade
Normally the Switchblade is thought of a backstabber, often taking credit for someone else’s work. In an interview setting, the Switchblade can’t help but “trash talk” his former employer. If you make it seem like your former workplace was hell on Earth, the person interviewing you might be tempted to call them to find out who was the real devil.
Author Bios Jonathan Littman, is the author of I Hate People! and numerous acclaimed works of nonfiction, including The Fugitive Game, The Watchman, and The Beautiful Game. He is also the coauthor of IDEO's The Art of Innovation and The Ten Faces of Innovation. He is a contributing editor for Playboy and a columnist for Yahoo! Sports.
Marc Hershon is the coauthor of I Hate People! and a branding expert who helped to create the names for the BlackBerry, Swiffer, nüvi, and many other influential products. He is also a comedy veteran who has worked closely, with Dana Carvey, Bill Maher, and Robin Williams.
For more information please visit www.IHatePeople.biz
Comments
Posted by: Nita Larabee
I think these are good suggestions. I am printing them out and will go over them prior to my next interview.Nita
Posted by: Trudy Arvesen
I liked your comment about "don't sweat". I have "hot flashes" anytime and anywhere! I don't just sweat a little, the sweat rolls and drips off my chin onto the table! Can you imagine? I always dress as cool as I think I can get away with. I don't mean a tank top, but always a very "cool" suit. I have an interview tomorrow and again I will be dealing with "the drips"!
Posted by: Andres Pereyda
The "this is perfect weather for a job interview!" quip was quaint, unless you're applying for Meteorologist. In that case, be careful.
Posted by: Tomeshia Whitaker
I think this posting is overrated, advice should not scare a person. The Number Key in a job interview is to JUST BE YOURSELF. You do not make yourself fit a company it has to fit you.
Posted by: Karen Gregoire
Please don't forget to have firm hand shake and make sure that you make eye contact.This may also sound simple but make sure your shoes are clean, most interviewers, glance at you from head to toe.
Posted by: Jeanetta
This was very helpful for me! Next week I'm going to a job fair and I needed some advice on how to act and approach the employers. Thank you!Jeanetta
Posted by: Rita Jones
At a seminar a representative from a company stated that sometimes the employer you are about to have an interview with will check you out before they actually interview you. For instance while you are waiting they are looking at your body language.
Posted by: EDWARD lOHMANN
Excellent advice for job seekers to follow, regardless what age.
Posted by: Debbie Layton
And then there was the time I interviewed with a recruiter, and noticed on the way out that my shoe was feeling odd as I limped to the parking garage. Turned out the shoe had not only split in half, but it was a mis-matched pair!!!
Posted by: Islanne Eline
I learned a lot from you. Thanks.
Posted by: Penny
The item on being a "Switchblade". My former boss was and still is a hurtful person. She was the switchblade and stabbed me. I personally do not talk about people but this time I need an answer as to how do you handle a past employer who is ruining your chances of getting another position because of her personality and her attitude for my perspective new employers?
Posted by: Bill Sauer
Really good advice... even though I had heard/read most of these before... it was good to re-read them as a 'refresher'.Thanks.Bill Sauer
Posted by: Rosanna Vega
I appreciated these tips as I will be interviewingfor a job early next week. I agree on most of your tips.Thanks
Posted by: Carol Ferguson
I like #9 Be prepared to ask the intelligent questions and take the clue from the interviewer how far to go.
Posted by: Cindy
I am having to look for a job at age 49, and Never had to be the ONLY bread winner. I have been doing dog grooming for yrs, and I feel that hurts my resume, even though I have had other jobs, but way long ago. Since I HAD to hurry and get SOMETHING I took a job at Sonic (till better comes along) and the 2 days I have worked has affected my back and feet really bad! I hate that, cause I used to be able to do a lot of stuff! Now I am hurting, and really don't want to go back! I am hoping for data entry or something like that, but I hear and read they all check your credit, and mine isn't very good right now! Sorry, just needed to share this. My poor mother wants to see us (her grown kids) be able to make it in life! Thanks for listening!
Posted by: Troy Edler
This article was very informative, I'll use the tips on my next interview.Thanks,
Posted by: Val
Note to Cindy: Don't underestimate yourself, you ran a business and household. I'm blackballed w/ employers when they were obviously wrong. I am a God Fearing women who does't like the dirty jokes, bad language and goof-off's in the office (don't get me wrong there is a time and place for everything.) I have always heard it is easier to get a job when you have one.
Posted by: Mark
Those 10 tips are totally humilaiting and condecending to the applicant. If you cant be yourself then you probably should look elsewhere.
Posted by: Epi Vasquez
It is very hard out there to get a job and every bit of advice is very helpful, I must have sent out at least 200 resumes. I will print these tips out and try to remember them in my next interview, thank you for the tips, Epi Vasquez Austin, Tx
Posted by: Dwayne Rummings
I'm in my forties so when I go into an interview I respect the interviewers position but treat them as an equal since we are usually close to the same age or I am older. I show respect but, be myself.For the person who had a previous employer who was not kind, when asked what they were like or similar questions, just say "We had differing views on topics and didn't always see eye to eye." Keep the comments about other jobs or employers/employees neutral eg. "It/He/She was amazing." Neither negative or positive.
Posted by: GlennB
These tips seem very helpful.
Posted by: Karen
I'm 55, think I have been following all the good advice in your article. I'm getting "you have a very impressive resume", however I do not get call backs. Any tips?
Posted by: Beverly Durham
These are very helpful tips, I especially appreciate the part that says "don't be a smiley face", I tend to smile a lot and this will help me be more aware to avoid doing it too excessively, especially during an interview.
Posted by: Laura Perry
To Penny re: switchblade; I've had a job on my resume that I left because the management was difficult. My approach has been to say I take pride in my work, and I was unhappy with the quality of work I was able to provide with the tools I was given. I leave it at that. Not a perfect answer, but it has satisfied my interviewers. I try to turn weaknesses into strengths.
Posted by: Randy
These are very challenging times, and having been a CFO/accountant in 8 different industries, I can tell you I have never witnessed the difficulty in being hired as I've recently seen. While I am gainfully employed, my advice for Karen and others who have years of experience would be to use that knowledge to your advantage. You WILL find the employer who values your very impressive resume, and WILL call you back. Stay positive (easier said than done), ask them what their issues are, and remember to show how you can help them solve problems/offer solutions (with examples of having done so), and emphasize your willingness to tackle challenges. Good luck!
