What are
worst mistakes job hunters make? It turns out there are four big ones. These four mistakes turn up repeatedly when executives responsible for hiring talk about reasons why someone didn't get a job offer. If you make even one of them, you'll drastically reduce your chances of getting selected.
Interview mistake #1: Thinking like a job hunter
The only reason why an employer hires you is because they want you to achieve certain results for them. Or solve specific problems. In other words, you have something of enormous value to offer employer.
Yet, most who turn up for a job interview think that only one with anything worthwhile to offer is employer. Result -- they treat a job interview as a one-sided affair where interviewer holds all power.
To be successful at interviews, it's essential that you become a full participant in meeting, retaining equal power. Just as employer must judge if you're right person for them, you must judge if this organization offers right opportunities for you.
Go in with clear objectives of what you need to know about them, while putting your best foot forward in responding to their questions. Obviously, this does not mean being rude or arrogant. It does mean that you are proactive in directing conversation and getting information you want.
This is very different from traditional job-hunter's mentality. It's about developing an assertive, confident mindset that'll get you results. Try it.
Interview mistake #2: Getting lost in generalities
When you are asked what you do at work, does your reply sound like a dull recital of an official job description written by a committee?
If so, you're losing a big chance to score at interview.
Yes, employers do want to know what your responsibilities are. But they're more interested in hearing what results you achieved, your specific accomplishments and skills.
To put it another way, they want to hear how you performed at a task rather than just hear about what task was. Use actual stories with names, products, places and so on.
