ARE YOU A GRADUATE / HAVE LIMITED EXPERIENCE AND DO NOT MAKE IT PAST THE FIRST INTERVIEW?

What are the sure-fire things that go wrong in your interview?

WRITTEN BY: Michelle White

I have attended thousands (no exaggeration) of interviews over a career spanning 25+ years and in particular interviewing graduates or candidates with limited experience. In many cases, these candidates have gained a limited amount of work experience and are exploring options across a variety of industries. They are typically seeking an opportunity in which they feel they can carve a career and the prospect of an organisation offering training is very attractive. They are open to exploring different roles and are not particularly set on the actual job description or company. The focus on learning and developing skills is paramount.

Interviewing these young, excited individuals has always been one of the favourite parts of my role as I get inspired by their potential, energy, courage and zest for getting pulled into something challenging.

My heart sinks when they make fatal mistakes stopping them from landing the role. Here are some examples of what turns decision makers off potential employees and what you want to get right:

1. Know what the company does.
2. Research the leadership team, the CEO and what the company stands for (values) and articulate why you are specifically interested in the organisation.
3. Research the role you are applying for and gather information on what the duties would likely be in such a position.
4. Prepare a succinct response to the most common opening question: “Tell me about yourself…”
5. Identify areas of development – it is not good to say you have no weaknesses.

6. Articulate your achievements and tell your story.
7. Be careful your confidence is not seen as arrogance.
8. Practise articulating what you have to offer.
9. If you make statements about your attributes and strengths, back it up with a tangible example and proof of performance – avoid overselling yourself.
10. Prepare questions you cannot find answers to on the website to show interest and the desire to want to know more – anything about the role but also focus on growth, learning, contributions that you can make etc.
11. Practise active listening by engaging in a dialogue and view the process as a question-answer session.
12. Avoid raising controversial topics.
13. Remember the name/s of the interviewer/s.
14. Dress appropriately.
15. Turn your mobile off during interview.
16. Remove your sunglasses and do not take a beverage into the interview room

A final thought, it is a great position to be in when you have a choice. A good attitude to have when you are interviewing is to go and secure the job so you have the decision making power if it is what you want to do.