Maintaining a fine balance in the job interview

When in comes to a good job interview, it is equally important for the employer and job seeker to make it successful. Much like balancing a scale, pretend that on one side of the scale is the employer and on the other side the job seeker, both parties control the faith of the job interview outcome, so it is equally important that the scale does not fall on one side or the other. To ensure the job interview is successful you want to maintain a fine balance throughout the entire process and not go in with arms swinging expecting a boxing match.

Here are 5 common “Imbalances” or traps that can ruin a job interview:

1. Disagreeing:
Employer (Interviewer) Mistake: Constantly questioning the candidate’s responses.
Job Seeker (Interviewee) Mistake: Treating all questions like a burden.

2. Self Centered:
Employer (Interviewer) Mistake: Talking about him/herself instead of the candidate.
Job Seeker (Interviewee) Mistake: Inflating qualifications and skills. Remain aloof when employer shows definite interest.

3. Safeguarding:
Employer (Interviewer) Mistake: Withholding information about position or company.
Job Seeker (Interviewee) Mistake: Withholding information about self.

4. Undervaluing:
Employer (Interviewer) Mistake: Rushing the interview; being unprepared; being late.
Job Seeker (Interviewee) Mistake: Being late; poorly dressed and groomed.

5. Drifting:
Employer (Interviewer) Mistake: Asking irrelevant, unsuitable or personal questions.
Job Seeker (Interviewee) Mistake: Providing vague answers; over talking; revealing inappropriate personal information.

These costly traps or “Imbalances” can be avoided by both the employer and job seeker; by entering a job interview well prepared and with a positive attitude. For both parties, participating in job interview preparation training sessions or courses either offered internally within the organization or externally with a job preparation provider may be a good place to start. Such training will provide a better understanding of job interview etiquette.

Information provided by HR Difference.

Our HR team specializes in providing small and medium sized companies with cost-efficient and customized human resources solutions to meet your need and budget. We also provide custom resume writing and telephone job interview coaching for job seekers.

“We are your HR Difference“