A job seeker wrote telling me he got interview feedback telling him he had “low energy”. He was shocked to hear this because he thought he’d done well. And was especially proud of having kept calm despite interview nerves.

Since he didn’t get the job, he wonders how to increase his interview energy. But also not let nerves get the best of him. For him, keeping himself at a calm energy level also helps keep him from being a nervous wreck. So what can he do?

What interviewers look for

For an interviewer, low energy from a candidate during a job interview creates a picture of [Read more…]

I’m sure you’ve heard “be yourself” when it comes to job interviews. So what does that really mean?

Now arguably “be yourself” or “be your authentic self” could simply mean be whatever you are in the moment. Even if you’re feeling annoyed or argumentative or just plain full of yourself. So let me be clear … I’m not suggesting those are the parts of you (real as they may be) needed to wow an interviewer.

We all have lots of parts. True … some are not exactly at the top of hiring wish lists. But the real you has many good parts — ones that can get you a job. And you won’t need to put on a fake persona just to be what you think you need to be. (You don’t even know for sure that’s what they want anyway.)

It’s all so confusing!

[Read more…]

After all that work and worry preparing for an interview, once the interview happens it’s hard to just sit patiently and do nothing. Waiting in general is tough, but each day you’re waiting for feedback after a job interview feels like an eternity!

At the very least, you just want to know how you did. And if you’re still in the running for the job. But you’d also like some useful feedback from the interviewer to help prep you for any future interviews, there or elsewhere.

So can you ask for feedback?

Before you hear anything

There are problems with asking for interview feedback after a job interview BEFORE they’ve even contacted you. [Read more…]

Does positive thinking in interviews always land you the job? Well, no. But there is an advantage to putting your brain into “seeing things work out well” mode. And it’s not just about magical thinking.

What about worst case thinking?

A lot of people brace themselves for possible rejection. And so that’s where they focus their interview prep. “I’ll do my best, but what if I don’t get it? How will I  ____.” (Fill in the blank.)

But when you do that, you’re already spending your pre-interview prep time on the negative side of things. Not that you need to be Pollyanna and refuse to even consider that you won’t get the job, but it’s not to your advantage to do this.

Time and mental energy are much better spent seeing yourself getting the job … and thinking about how to get yourself there. Even before the actual interview(s).

Pros of positive thinking in interviews

[Read more…]

Sometimes you’ll see a listing for a great job but the job doesn’t exist. And unfortunately you probably will never know that for sure. But brace yourself … companies do indeed post fake positions that do not now or may never exist.

Are companies that do this evil? Are the hiring managers bored and just playing games to amuse themselves? While I can’t rule out those possibilities, more likely they have reasons that seem good to them at the time. Even if this feels very unfair to legitimate job seekers.

Why companies post jobs that don’t exist

There are many reasons a company might decide to advertise a job that is “fake” — or at least one that doesn’t exist now or anytime soon. Some possible reasons: [Read more…]

Ok. It might not be your dream job — then again it might. But if you’re in an interview and asked the “job fit your goals” question your answer needs to show why this job is a great job for you. One that will fit your future goals as well as your current career needs. But also keeping in mind it has to meet their goals too. 

Now I’m not suggesting you lie or bend the truth too much, although it may feel that way. Especially if this is not your dream job. But whenever you’re in an interview you may as well give it your best shot. No matter what. You never know what the job could turn into — or what you could turn it into.

And you never know what else you might get from just doing your best in the interview. Even a recommendation for a different job, which happened to me once. Or a connection with the interviewer you can turn to next time there’s an opening. If they like you, there may just possibly be a next time.

⇒  EXTRA:  Rejected? Sample Thank You Note To Keep Doors Open

So how does the job fit your goals?

[Read more…]

You spend so much time prepping for an interview that by the time you get there you probably have countless potential answers swimming in your head. And so when you finally get a chance to answer a real live question it’s easy to let loose and talk too much in interviews. Especially when interview nerves also enter the picture.

And sometimes as a result you say too little that actually matters. Having been an interviewer for many years, we know people are nervous. And we also know they may have prepared a number of answers they’ve memorized that often come out of websites like this. But we don’t want those. The lack of spontaneity shows … and delays our ability to get to know you.

I’m not saying don’t prepare

Preparation is a good thing and will help you come up with your own good answers. But what we’re looking to find in the interview [Read more…]

Hi Ronnie Ann. I am looking for a new job and was wondering if you could provide me with hints on how to handle a phone interview. Unfortunately, since we’re unable to see the recruiter, we can’t rely on visual cues. It makes it so hard.

I just had a phone interview 2 days ago (see: screening candidates) and felt things went well. This is an initial, first phase interview and successful candidates are then sent for an on-site interview. She did say at the end of the phone interview that she would certainly recommend me for an in-person interview and wished me good luck.

How long would it take (if I am selected for a 2nd interview) to receive a phone call? ~ NB

Post-interview waiting time

Hi NB. So often the waiting time is harder to handle than the actual interview! Truth is [Read more…]

It’s tempting to talk about former employers in a way that doesn’t paint them in the best light. After all, you’re telling your prospective employer why you want them. And why that last job wasn’t right for you. So a former boss — especially one who drove you crazy — is a likely target to focus on.

And the truth is that your former employer may be exactly the reason you are leaving …. or left. But, as irresistible as it may seem, there are good reasons not to share your boss horror stories with someone who is thinking about hiring you.

Why not to trash talk former employers

• Your interviewer is registering impressions of you and the type of person you’d be in their organization. How you talk about your former boss is very likely to be how you’ll talk about your new one at some point. Even behind their back while you’re still there.
• You aren’t helping yourself by taking up time on complaints and whining. As righteous as it may be. You want to use every moment you can to show how you match the new job and how wonderful you’ll be to work with. So if they ask you why you want this job stick to the topic. Any mention of the past should be about things this new job offers that’s more of what you’re looking for NOW.
• When you say bad things about people you used to work with you never know who you’re talking to — and who they might know. It’s a small world especially in some industries. You not only could be talking to someone who knows them, but someone who will pass the word back their way. And you’ll still need references.

If they ask about former employers?

[Read more…]

When I say “interview skills” I’m not just talking about answering different types of questions and handling yourself during interviews. It’s about that extra special something that helps you stand out in an interview from the rest of the well-practiced, well-prepared candidates. And helps you connect to that person on the other side of the table — as well as to their image of the “right” candidate.

Basically, you want to connect the dots for them, rather than letting them simply read between the lines … er dots. Leaving this totally to the interviewer and assuming they’ll get who you are is a risky choice. So make it your job in an interview to help them see how something you did or know or can do connects well to THIS job and company.

The art of interview skills

The main “hire me” interview dots you want to help connect to give them a full picture of you and how you meet THEIR needs are: your work skills, your personality (including attitude toward work), any extras you bring to the job, and your overall fit with the job and company.

So, as best as you can, try to get very comfortable with these five techniques and bring them into your interview: [Read more…]