When you’re conducting a job search, the last thing you want to do is mess up the face-to-face interview. That’s the point of the hiring process that is the most crucial.
The interview is where you can make the biggest impact. However, that impact has the potential to be both positive and negative. Hiring managers want to get a feel for who you are and the value you could bring to the organization. In short, this is your chance to shine.
But which mistakes should you avoid? Last month, The VET Recruiter conducted a survey of hiring managers in the Veterinary and Animal Health industries, and as part of that survey, we asked them to identify the biggest mistake that candidates make during the face-to-face interview.
According to the hiring managers in our survey, below are the top four interview mistakes that candidates make, ranked from #4 to #1:
#4—Not knowing enough about the company
There is really no excuse for this transgression. After all, there’s more than likely an ample amount of information about the company online. Not only that, but if you’re working with a recruiter, they can also provide you with information regarding the organization. Preparation is critical for a successful face-to-face interview, and that most definitely includes preparing yourself in regards to the company for which you’d like to work.
#3—Talking about money/benefits too soon
This is a major turn-off for hiring managers. They’re trying to ascertain the value that you could bring to the organization, and you start talking about compensation. That’s a premature move, to be sure, one that immediately puts your candidacy in jeopardy. Don’t fall prey to this temptation. Once again, an experienced recruiter can help guide you through this process, letting you know not only when to broach the subject of compensation, but also how to broach it.
#2—Being cocky/arrogant
We’ve discussed this topic before. There’s a fine line between being confident and being cocky. It’s quite a dangerous line to walk, because being confident will boost your chances, while coming across as cocky can sink your candidacy like a lead balloon. Remember, the hiring manager isn’t only assessing your technical skill set and your experience. They’re also assessing your potential as a cultural fit. You must work well with your co-workers, or you won’t be working there at all.
#1—Not asking enough questions
Once again, there is no excuse for being guilty of this faux pas, and considering that hiring managers ranked it as the #1 mistake, you should be able to easily avoid it. Once again, it comes down to preparation. You should have a list of at least 10 questions, both general and specific, and you should also be asking questions as the interview progresses. When a hiring manager asks you at the end of the interview if you have any questions and you say, “No,” that’s pretty much the “kiss of death.”
Have you ever committed any of these mistakes? If so, how did they affect your candidacy?
Aligning yourself with an experienced executive recruiter in your niche can help you with all four of these mistakes. They can prepare you and provide the information you need to avoid these mistakes and make the most positive impact possible during your face-to-face interview.
Once you make that positive impact, you’re one step closer to receiving an offer of employment.
We help support careers in one of two ways: 1. By helping to find the right opportunity when the time is right, and 2. By helping to recruit top talent for the critical needs of organizations. If this is something you would like to explore further, please send an email to stacy@thevetrecruiter.com.