One of the not-so-common signs of a strong candidate is asking the right questions during a job interview. That being said, it’s worth noting that the content of what you’re saying is only the tip of the iceberg; how you communicate your message is what really counts – not just in a job interview, but in any social setting, for that matter.
Harsh as it may be, the reality is that all candidates are judged – personally and professionally – based on their communication skills and, perhaps even more so, their social acuity. So, before any interview, we recommend you take preliminary measures and consider what will be covered and what will be left unsaid.
We thought we’d help you on that front with our own curated list of things you should avoid (at all costs) during a job interview.
While we’re aware that this is the very beginning of today’s list, we would like to start off by discussing what comes at the end of the interview… Because, as we all know, most interviewers like asking if you have any questions when they’re done with their own.
Needless to say, the wrong answer is always: “No, I have no questions.”
Always be prepared with a couple of meaningful questions that demonstrate your genuine interest in the position (and, ideally, the company) to the interviewer. By way of example, you can ask something like, “Can you walk me through a typical workday for this role?”
While we do recommend that you ask questions during an interview, you need to be extra careful to avoid asking about something you could have known in a few minutes of research, as these questions will portray you as someone who has not been doing their homework.
By the same token, interviewers like it when a candidate shows that they have more than done their due diligence and have thoroughly prepared for the interview. So, asking meaningful questions that reflect the company’s vision and mission statement is always a huge plus. Not only will it be showing promise on your behalf, but it’ll also set you apart from the competition.
Trust us, you’ll be in a league of your own if you make this a habit.
We talk a lot about leaving a good first impression during an interview, so, the last thing you want to leave a potential employer with – particularly one who’s evidently impressed with your performance in an interview – is an awkward first impression.
Next time you feel the urge to mention an anecdote or factoid from your personal life, it should be relevant to the conversation at hand, or support your answers as proof. Stay clear from saying random things out of the blue during a job interview. At best, you’ll be on the receiving end of an interviewer’s “Umm… what?” stare – which is always uncomfortable.
At worst, your chances of winning the job have gone slimmer. The extent of said slimming depends on how bad the awkward pause was. Either way, it’s a lose-lose. Don’t do it.
Now that you’re equipped with valuable advice on acing your next interview, it’s time to put these tips into practice and start applying to jobs, in order to land the job of your dreams.
You can always seek some professional assistance by subscribing to a Bayt.com Premium account. Our premium features will double your chances of triumphing over other competing candidates for a job and gaining the chance of showing off these amazing interview tricks.
And if you’re interested in some more Bayt.com advice, why not check out our blog? Go on, this treasure trove of career wisdom isn’t going to read itself.
