Job interviews can be a difficult experience for many candidates and at times they make the experience even more difficult. When a candidate walks out of the interview and says ‘Wow, that was a tough one”, 8 out of 10 times, it is themselves that has made it tougher. Below are some ways that candidates really make the interview more difficult for themselves.
Fail To Sell Your Brand
When you watch television adverts, you’ll see companies selling their brands (products). They install in you why their brand is unique and why you should buy it. Like them, you should realise that you are a brand that you are trying to sell to an employer. The brands on TV adverts reflect their company’s personalities and like them, you need to reflect your brand (personality) to them. A lot of candidates fail to do this. You do have the ability to define your brand and communicate it on your marketing materials and especially in the interview. For example, a candidate might brand himself as a strong leader, a good communicator, an analytical thinker, and a positive person with high energy. Stand out and impress the interviewer by selling them not just you, but your brand and what it brings to the table.
Not Showing How You Solve Their Problem
When employers are looking for new employees, it because they need a problem solving. This is one of the biggest failings of candidates. If a company needs a new employee to unload a truck, most would say it’s because they shorthanded. However that is not the problem, the real problem is customer service. They need the truck unloaded fast to make sure the goods are received by customers as quick as possible to keep them satisfied/happy. In your next interview, look for what the problem the employer wants solving by the job role and show them that you can do it.
Focus Too Much On Interview Questions
Standard interview preparation is to prepare to answer interview questions. While this is good practice, many candidates get too focused on this. Did you know there are over 2000 potential questions you could be asked? How can you possibly prepare for all for them? You can’t! Don’t get wrapped up with trying to have answered already prepared for every question beforehand. Prepare for a few common questions and some that will target your suitability for the job role. Focusing on preparing for every question will do more harm than good.
Asking Poor Questions
Near the end of every job interview, the candidates will be asked if they have any questions. This is a good opportunity for you to go into an interview with a set of powerful questions. A powerful question displays knowledge of the job, the company, or the industry. It indicates you have prepared for the interview and you have professional knowledge that enables you to ask good, insightful questions. However, a lot of candidates don’t have good questions to ask. Many candidates respond “Not really” or “You answered all my questions.” They are both weak responses that hurt your brand, plus indicate a lack of interest in or motivation for the job.
Not Standing Out From The Herd
During the interview process, the employer will have drawn up a short list of candidates hoping the ideal candidate is in this pool. They will all have similar backgrounds, experiences, qualifications etc. So when asked “What makes you different from all the rest?” most candidates just talk about their experiences and accomplishments. You need to show why you are the stand out candidate for the role. Remember, you are unique and different so make sure you stand out by selling the employer you brand. “What do YOU bring to the role?”
Fail To Sell Your Brand
When you watch television adverts, you’ll see companies selling their brands (products). They install in you why their brand is unique and why you should buy it. Like them, you should realise that you are a brand that you are trying to sell to an employer. The brands on TV adverts reflect their company’s personalities and like them, you need to reflect your brand (personality) to them. A lot of candidates fail to do this. You do have the ability to define your brand and communicate it on your marketing materials and especially in the interview. For example, a candidate might brand himself as a strong leader, a good communicator, an analytical thinker, and a positive person with high energy. Stand out and impress the interviewer by selling them not just you, but your brand and what it brings to the table.
Not Showing How You Solve Their Problem
When employers are looking for new employees, it because they need a problem solving. This is one of the biggest failings of candidates. If a company needs a new employee to unload a truck, most would say it’s because they shorthanded. However that is not the problem, the real problem is customer service. They need the truck unloaded fast to make sure the goods are received by customers as quick as possible to keep them satisfied/happy. In your next interview, look for what the problem the employer wants solving by the job role and show them that you can do it.
Focus Too Much On Interview Questions
Standard interview preparation is to prepare to answer interview questions. While this is good practice, many candidates get too focused on this. Did you know there are over 2000 potential questions you could be asked? How can you possibly prepare for all for them? You can’t! Don’t get wrapped up with trying to have answered already prepared for every question beforehand. Prepare for a few common questions and some that will target your suitability for the job role. Focusing on preparing for every question will do more harm than good.
Asking Poor Questions
Near the end of every job interview, the candidates will be asked if they have any questions. This is a good opportunity for you to go into an interview with a set of powerful questions. A powerful question displays knowledge of the job, the company, or the industry. It indicates you have prepared for the interview and you have professional knowledge that enables you to ask good, insightful questions. However, a lot of candidates don’t have good questions to ask. Many candidates respond “Not really” or “You answered all my questions.” They are both weak responses that hurt your brand, plus indicate a lack of interest in or motivation for the job.
Not Standing Out From The Herd
During the interview process, the employer will have drawn up a short list of candidates hoping the ideal candidate is in this pool. They will all have similar backgrounds, experiences, qualifications etc. So when asked “What makes you different from all the rest?” most candidates just talk about their experiences and accomplishments. You need to show why you are the stand out candidate for the role. Remember, you are unique and different so make sure you stand out by selling the employer you brand. “What do YOU bring to the role?”