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?

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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 is the real person — and words that sound like they’re actually yours. So first and foremost, take a moment to let yourself think before you answer … and breathe out. (Holding your breath is common when you’re nervous.)

NOTE: An interview second may feel like an eternity, but it’s worth the time. Especially if you thoughtfully engage the interviewer’s eyes and maybe even smile ever so lightly while you prepare what you need to say. It may even help you talk less and say more.

What is talking too much in interviews?

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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?

Rarely does an interviewer look you in the eyes and say “Tell me what your former boss was like.” But they might ask you about the job. And why you are leaving or left it.

Again, focus on as much positive as you can. Not that the job sucked, but that you did your best (you can mention a success or two) and are looking for A, B, or C now … which is why you are so interested in this job.

The more you can tie what you did well, how you grew, and where you see yourself looking to grow more (in this new job), the more they picture you in THEIR job — not in the old one. And that’s where you want them seeing you.

More job interview tips

How To Mentally Prepare for a Job Interview

12 Things You Need To Know BEFORE a Job Interview

Job Interview Nerves? Tips for Before, During & After

18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace Your Job Interview

15 Things I Look for When I Interview People

5 Interview Skills To Help Connect the “Hire Me” Dots

How to Tell If a Job Interview Went Well

Why Does It Take So Long After Your Interview?

I Messed Up My Job Interview – What Can I Do?

10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job Offer

What Are the Basic Hiring Process Steps?

Should You Send a Post-Interview Thank You? [Sample]

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…]

We’ve all had bad interviews. Or at least ones where we remember things we could have said or done better. And while I am not here to give you false hope, the good news is a bad interview doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t get the job.

Why is that you ask? Good question.

First, you are the worst judge of how you actually did. Or what they’re looking for. Now sometimes you can get a pretty good idea of how you did, based on how they’re treating you or responding / not responding to you while you’re in the room.

But a lot of the time you’re focusing on the small picture (perhaps an individual answer), while they’re looking at you in the larger sense of whether you might fit in well. And so any one answer or awkwardness or nerves that you can’t control or whatever else you think was “bad” might not be enough for them to eliminate you.

Clues of a truly bad interview

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Job interview brain freeze. We’ve pretty much all had it at some point. You know what I mean … your mind goes blank. Or you’re getting thoughts, but they come out jumbled. Or they don’t come out at all!

But the good news is that a little brain freeze and interview nerves in general doesn’t mean you won’t get the job. Still, you want to do all you can to put your best foot forward. So it’s wise to prepare in advance to help keep those nerves at a minimum!

Why we get interview brain freeze

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So you’re probably wondering why anyone would want to thank a company for rejecting them. That’s certainly NOT your first reaction. Well, since you didn’t get the job anyway, what could it hurt to try once more to connect? This sample rejection thank you note may just help you plant a seed that grows!

In my own career, more than once I wound up getting a job that I was not the first candidate for. Well, it was usually because I was trying to talk my way into a job where I didn’t have direct experience. (Will talk about that later on in this post.)

While not always successful, on occasion persistence can pay off. And so can networking and relationship building over time. You never know when an impression you leave after an interview leads to a job in the future. Now for that sample…

SAMPLE REJECTION THANK YOU NOTE [Read more…]

After your interview. you may wonder whether to send a post-interview thank you note or letter. And if so, what should the note say? Or NOT say. (That’s right. You can still screw things up. But I’ll say more about that later.)

Just remember that your interview process does not start or end at the interview itself. Every contact you have with the company — or even people somehow connected to the company — can wind up being communicated to the hiring team.

And so whatever you do, you want to add positively to the picture of yourself you’re painting. And that even applies to thank you notes!

⇒  MORE:  10 Impressions You Leave After a Job Interview

Does post-interview thank you matter?

Thank you notes are a nice extra. They won’t on their own get you the job — except in rare cases. And not if you aren’t qualified for the job. But they shouldn’t lose you the job either. (Again, there are exceptions, so check for spelling and grammar too.)

Although I never ruled someone out for not sending one, some hiring managers may use the lack of one to help eliminate people. Not my idea of smart hiring, but everyone is different — especially if the job requires relationship building and interpersonal communication. Still, odds are it won’t cost you the job if you’re highly qualified in their eyes.

But why risk it? A short, polite, well-written post-interview thank you can add a positive note to the impression you leave behind. It can help you stand out (and be remembered) as someone thoughtful and professional who they’d enjoy working with. Especially if you take the time to make it a good one! [Read more…]

If you’re worrying about a job interview, I have some good news. You’re not alone. Most people worry about interviews. But there’s more good news. A lot of things you’re worrying about may not be all that important to your eventual success.

Now I’m not saying you don’t need to prepare — and a key part of that is actually feeling prepared. But it’s also good to know some things about the interview process itself. And about the mental framework of the folks who interview you.

Remember:  Interviewers have their own worries … will they find someone who fits well with the job and company. Hiring the wrong person is both costly and disruptive.

⇒  MORE:  How To Prepare for a Job Interview

Worrying about a job interview…

I spent many years helping hire people. Besides overseeing the process, I screened resumes, worked with HR, spoke with potential candidates on the phone, and then helped conduct interviews.

But you learn the most by listening to comments from the hiring team. Seeing what things matter to them, what’s easily overlooked, and what impressions stick. In the end, the things you might worry about — and kick yourself for afterward — may not hurt you at all.

Five things you may not know:

1. 1.  They brought you in because they are hoping you’re the right one. So unless they’re the kind of nasty people you wouldn’t want to work for anyway, they’re basically rooting for you. And will listen carefully to find things you can contribute to the job / team.
   2.  Connecting with the interviewer(s) is as important as any of your answers. People want to hire people they would enjoy working with. And people they can trust to support them — as well as get the work done. Folks they believe can help them find answers, rather than just problems and complaints.
      • Conversational is way better than sitting stiff and looking like you’re being grilled — even if you are!
      • Lean in, take an extra breath if needed, and just talk to your interviewer like someone who just asked for your help. In a way they did — they want you to help them see how well you fit their company and the job.
   3.  It’s not so much any one answer, but how you leave them feeling. And one answer won’t do you in — unless it’s so horrible even you wouldn’t hire you.
      • Question: “What’s you’re greatest strength?”
      • Bad answer: “I’m creative. I look for creative ways to get out of doing my own work.”
   4.  An interview begins before you arrive and continues after you leave. Impressions you leave at any point matter big time. How you treat a receptionist. Or any person who answers the phone. Or even someone you think isn’t anyone. The word gets around — especially if you are rude or seem to be high maintenance!
      • Treat everyone even remotely related to the company with respect. (Not a bad policy in general.)
      • And show a positive, flexible, solutions-oriented attitude to all, as if each one can decide your fate. Because you might be surprised who can.
   5. Nerves alone won’t lose you the interview — unless it’s a job like brain surgeon. Interviewers expect some nerves. And your best defense against nerves is preparing.  (See How To Prepare post mentioned above.)

Still worrying about that interview?

It’s totally normal. Until it’s over, there’s no way to shake off every single interview nerve. And a little bit of nerves can actually help with your energy. Maybe tell yourself that when you do start to worry.  🙂

But knowledge and familiarity with a process helps, too. So here are some more posts to help — both before, during, and after!

Job Interviews: 10 Impressions You Leave After an Interview

18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace Your Job Interview

15 Things I Look for When I Interview People

Job Interview Nerves? Tips for Before, During & After

After the Job Interview: Why Haven’t They Called Me Yet?

Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview

What Is Being Overqualified for a Job?

So What Really Happens After a Job Interview?

12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview

Why Does It Take So Long After Your Interview?

If you’re stressing over how to give a perfect job interview, here’s some good news: there’s no such thing. Too many things go into an interview, including interview chemistry. So your real job is simply to give the best interview YOU can give. That’s all anyone can do.

You can let go of any pressure to be perfect. The interview process is about finding the right match. But since there is no perfect job or perfect interviewer, a “perfect” interview would be wasted. Whatever perfect is anyway. Mostly it’s about the overall impression you leave.

But there are things you can do to help your chances. Ways to reduce nerves and increase how “present” you are — meaning you can be yourself while having a conversation. Of course, you still want to make sure you aim the interview in a way that shows how well you match.

Some “best interview” tips to help

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Before a job interview there are a few things that would help for you to know. I recently wrote a much a longer version of this, but for simplicity sake, here is the handy-dandy condensed version — with a few extra tips.

Hopefully this will help you review your pre-interview “must dos” quickly. And feel free to add your own suggestions, ones that will help add to your feelings of confidence and interview readiness.

12 things before a job interview:

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While you want to come off as natural as possible, please don’t think that means you shouldn’t prepare for a job interview. During the interview itself, mindset and familiarity with the job and company — as well as what YOU bring to the specific job — will help you relax enough to be yourself.

I remember well my first interview where I relied on “quick thinking and natural charm” to win the day. And I also remember how nervous I got — and not getting the job. While I can’t guarantee that prepping for an interview will always land you the offer, feeling well-prepared can help ease your nerves enough to at least show interviewers who you really are. And that’s a big part of getting any job.

Prepare for job interview nerves

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