Careers Employment Information

Six Factors That Can Cost You the Interview/Job


Most job seekers know that an unprofessional appearance will count against them at an interview. Here are six MORE factors that can help you remain in the unemployment line:

(1) Being unprepared for the interview. Prepare, plan, and practice! In today's tough job market, you MUST do everything you can to give yourself an edge... preparation is the key.

(2) Not being able to communicate clearly and effectively. This is important during the interview and on the job. Being nervous can really mess up your communication skills, so being well prepared and practicing what you're going to say are always your best bet.

(3) Being aggressive, arrogant, or acting in a superior way. No one wants to hire or work with people who think they're better than everyone else. Be careful with your attitude, even if you think you're surrounded by incompetent fools. Being confident is good. Being an arrogant jerk is bad.

(4) Making excuses for failings. Your teacher never bought "The dog ate my homework!" and your boss isn't going to buy "The finance department gave me the wrong figures!" In the grown-up world, you have to take responsibility for what you are responsible for! You'll never earn respect by blaming others when things go wrong.

(5) Saying unfavorable things about previous employers. Even if you left a job because the boss was an egomaniac who took credit for all of your hard work, verbally abused you in front of others, and poisoned the plant on your desk, don't say anything bad about him/her during an interview. When asked "Why did you leave your last job?" say something like "My manager and I both agreed that my advancement opportunities were limited there and obtaining another position was the best option for me and my career goals."

(6) Having a poor/limp handshake. Why do people think you'll be a lousy employee if you have a lousy handshake? That's not really logical, is it? Doesn't matter. It just turns people off and gives them a bad impression of you. So make your handshake firm and confident but not bone-crushing. (It's not a competition to see who winces first!)

If you DON'T want to be unemployed, don't let any of those traits apply to you!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Wanted: Optician, Educational Advocate, Bank Branch Manager
Patch.com
Please do your own research about any potential employer you apply to. About this column: A look at what companies are hiring in St. Charles County. Know of an opening? Let us know. Related Topics: Careers, Employment, Help Wanted, and Jobs.



Post-Bulletin

Heard on the Street: Preston's back in the support game
Post-Bulletin
Look for him to soon re-launch the series of weekly meetings featuring local business leaders (and even an occasional journalist — I'll be talking in mid-February) speaking about careers, employment and the Rochester scene. While he is still working ...



Gain the Job Interview Advantage with Top Tips from Body Language Expert Gil ...
MarketWatch (press release)
"Having worked in the careers/employment industry for more than 30 years, I know that many job seekers inadvertently sabotage their own searches because they don't understand the messages that their body language communicates," said Wendy Enelow, ...

and more »


Jamaica Gleaner

Red Stripe widens view on Premier League
Jamaica Gleaner
"It can only augur well for the development of careers, employment, business development, community unity and nation building. I want to endorse and big up Red Stripe. This is a bold move on behalf of Red Stripe, and Monday night I will certainly be at ...

and more »


Wanted: Optician, Educational Advocate, Bank Branch Manager
Patch.com
Please do your own research about any potential employer you apply to. About this column: A look at what companies are hiring in St. Charles County. Know of an opening? Let us know. Related Topics: Careers, Employment, Help Wanted, and Jobs.

and more »

Google News

Home | SiteMap