Not only can a face-to-face interview with an Animal Health or Veterinary employer be nerve-racking, but it’s also exciting. Because of that, it can be easy to make a mistake during the job interview. It’s so easy, in fact, that some professionals don’t even realize they’re making a mistake while they’re making it. And that can be a problem, especially if they continue to make the mistake.
One of these mistakes is talking too much. When a person is nervous or excited, they’re prone to this mistake. They find that they’re less nervous when they’re talking all the time or they’re afraid of pauses or silences during the interview.
Another mistake is the failure to match communication styles with the people who are conducting the interview. It’s important to take your cue from the person who is doing the talking. Everyone has different personalities, and thus, different communication styles. Matching the style of the person conducting the interview greatly increases a candidate’s chances for success. For example, if someone has a quiet demeanor, it’s not a good idea to be loud and crack jokes.
Another mistake is talking too much about compensation. Some candidates are tempted to speak freely about their current level of compensation, including salary, benefits, and other perks. Remember, it’s actually against the law in some states for an employer to ask about current or previous compensation, so the initial face-to-face interview is not the place for a candidate to broach the subject. It’s best to let the employer bring up the topic of compensation. Don’t be the first person to discuss salary or benefits. Wait for the employer to bring up this topic. It is in your best interest.
If you become a serious candidate for the position, there will be plenty of time to discuss compensation during the negotiation stage of the hiring process when the employer knows you are the candidate of choice.
Thank you for joining me for The VET Recruiter TV and I look forward to seeing you again soon.