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SMP Solutions Guide to Why Interviews Go Wrong
Unless you are particularly lucky, interviews are arguably not the most natural of situations and, depending on the environment, can sometimes even be described as a surreal experience!
It is hardly surprising then that things do not always go to plan and you could end up losing out. However, there are certain things that definitely do not work and are likely to create your own downfall.
The examples listed are some of the major ‘red flag’ warnings that you must heed if you wish to avoid interview failure and also some of the perceptions, or indeed the realities, surrounding them.
Remember that perceptions are incredibly powerful and influence us all but might be totally incorrect. However, unless you are well known to the interviewer, this is what they see or hear and all they can judge you on so be warned!
| Actual Issue | Perception |
|---|---|
| Arriving late | Badly organised, poor attitude |
| Poor personal appearance | Lacks personal pride, work likely to be sloppy |
| Unprepared | Tried to ‘wing it’, overconfident, poor work ethic |
| Lack of research of job/company | Not interested in this job, any job will do |
| Indecisive | Trying to give the answer you think they want, not understanding the question, don’t have the right skills |
| Lack of eye contact | Little or no confidence, low self esteem, lying! |
| Weak or clammy handshake |
Lacking assertion, confidence, overly nervous |
| Trouble in communicating | Poor interpersonal skills, unusually nervous, hiding something! |
| Poor body language/posture | Lacking confidence, intimidated, arrogance |
| Lack of energy / enthusiasm | Not really interested in the job, going through the motions |
| Rushing answers to questions | Impulsive, acts before thinking, desperate to impress! |
| Being rude/ abrupt | Aggressive nature, likely to be difficult employee |
| Interrupting the interviewer | Rude, disrespectful, over keen, desperate! |
| Critical of last employer | Disloyal, disrespectful, you might be the problem! |
| Too many excuses | Poor attitude, unwilling to take responsibility, not up to the job |
| Flippant / over use of humour | Covering up for lack of skills / ability to do the job |
| Only interested in yourself | Egotistical, loner, self centred, not a team player |
| Gap in career history | Been unemployed, done ‘time’, hiding something! |
| Name dropping | Arrogant, trying to carry favour |
Copyright SMP Solutions (2007) Career & Personal Development Consultancy
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