Job Seekers Need To Avoid These Interview Behaviors At All Costs

How important is a job interview?
 
The world of job interviews has changed dramatically over the last two years. But the interview is still the most critical step in the recruiting and hiring process. The online education experts at SimpliLearn put it into perspective in a recent article:
 
Did you get the interview call? Take heart to the fact that you have probably beaten 6 candidates to secure this opportunity. On average, 118 candidates apply for one single job, of whom only 20% are interviewed. And, if you get an offer, you are among just 30.89 percent of interviewees to be selected.
 
You may have multiple interviews. Some may be virtual, and others may be in person. The bottom line, though, is you need to show well in your interviews.
 
What you say can be less important to the interviewer than how you say it. Remember, the hiring manager’s primary goal is to hire employees that will add maximum value to the team. Interviewees must be able to articulate that value.
 
But what behaviors should you avoid at all costs? This post will consider the top three.
 
Don’t Be Performative—Be Yourself.
 
You never want to be over the top in an interview. You want to be engaged, energetic, and enthusiastic but not emotional or excitable. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not, even from a cultural perspective.
 
As a hypothetical example, if you’re not a huge sports fan, don’t pretend to be one, even if the company culture leans that way. You want to get hired based on your merits and who you are. Deception or pretense will never help you in the long run.
 
The bottom line? You know your capabilities, you’ve done the research, and you know you’re a fit. That will show through in the interview.
 
Don’t Be Reserved or Timid—Be Confident and Engaged.
 
Displaying confidence is always good for a candidate in a job interview. Confidence shows the hiring team that you know you can do the job.
 
You’ve worked hard to get this interview, so don’t be shy about promoting yourself. Be ready with work samples, certifications, recommendations, etc. If you don’t promote yourself well, there’s a good chance that you may not get the job.
 
And what if you’re asked a question that you don’t know how to answer, or if you don’t have a particular skill or experience level the interviewer is looking for?
 
Don’t Be Deceptive—Be Open and Honest.
 
You don’t have to know everything! Getting caught “stretching the truth” will almost certainly cost you a great job opportunity. Be prepared to demonstrate that you can learn new skills with examples from your work history.
 
Remember, be confident, not cocky, engaged, and candid in every job interview. And don’t leave your next career move to chance.
 
Engage with the professional recruiting team at mCubed. We’ll get you the right interviews with the companies you match up with. We’ll keep you out of the overcrowded web of job boards, job search engines, job aggregators, and career help sites.
 
Are you a candidate looking for a technology, engineering, or business operations job?
 
At mCubed Staffing, we help clients like you find that perfect job every day! Call us today at (248) 817-2243, or get in touch online. Our expert recruiters are waiting for your call.