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Return To Careers Article Archive   You Just Dont Get It! How Job Interviews Are Lost By Joel Vance Copyright 2005 The Perfect Interview Most companies have business hours. They expect their employees to be there between those hours. And if they set an interview for a potential employee at a certain hour, they expect them to be there. Its a well-worn saying, but time really is money, and putting an interviewer behind in their schedule, could cost you the job, despite your qualifications. Right behind punctuality on an interviewers list of requirements is confidence. Not bravado, and bragging about accomplishments, but answering questions about your experience, or potential to learn new things, with directness, honesty, and good eye contact. When youre sure of yourself, an interviewer finds it easier to be sure youre the right choice for the job. That doesnt mean that they wont allow for a certain amount of interview apprehension. But squirming, wandering eyes, checking your watch, and lackluster responses to questions, are all indications that an applicant is feeling less than comfortable, which can be seen as a drawback if the job requires someone who has the self-assurance to make decisions and accept responsibility for them. Remember too, that an interviewer is sitting behind the desk, looking at you. Someone who shows up in casual or wrinkled clothes, with hair blown about by the wind, can give the impression that you either didnt care about your appearance, or that youre unable to manage your time so there are a few spare minutes to touch it up. Even when you are dressed nicely, and have a pleasant smile, all of that is ruined, if you cant communicate properly. That includes ummming and ahhhing while answering questions, evading direct answers, and mumbling. This is particularly bad when the job interview is for a position dealing with the public. Nothing, and we mean absolutely nothing, can kill your chances to nail an interview faster than aggressiveness. Confidence is one thing, rushing in with unasked for opinions, or taking the conversational lead from the interviewer without being given the appropriate opening, is brassy, forward, and considered arrogant. Many an applicant has found to their chagrin, that premature inquiries about salary, or other personally focused questions, have conveyed the impression of self-interest over the companys interests. Stop and think about it...youre selling yourself to the interviewer. Polish those points before you start off for the appointment. When in doubt, leave it out. You want to get your foot in the door, not in your mouth. About the Author: Joel Vance is an Human Resources expert who has been in HR for 17 years and interviewed 3,159 people. He has also taught at 4 major universities around the country and currently has a best selling book on interviewing entitled The Perfect Interview at http://www.theperfectinterview.com keywords: Career | Careers | Jobs Career Change For Teacher

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