Whenever you think about job interviews you most probably get butterflies in your stomach. This is normal. Everyone tenses before a big moment. The outcome of interviews can be determined by a variety of factors, here are some reasons why candidates fail job interviews.
While it is true that you don’t have total control over the outcome of a job interview, it is often the things within your control that determine if you'll be successful or not. I came away with 5 useful insights on mistakes to be avoided in my interview with experienced Microsoft recruiter, Esbon Kyalo.
His wealth of experience in the talent acquisition space makes him an authority when it comes to the dos and don’ts of the interview process. Keeping these 5 insights in mind promises to keep you in good stead whenever you a faced with a job interview.
1. Poor preparation
According to Kyalo, many people don’t do sufficient homework before attending interviews. Interviewers can always tell when a candidate has prepared and when they have not. You should always aim to make the best impression in an interview no matter what stage you are in.
Researching about the organization and position is crucial while preparing for an interview. There are numerous resources, both online and offline, that one can use to research the organization and even the panelists. Get someone to listen while you are answering the questions who can tell you when you start rambling. If you don’t have anyone, a mirror will do.
2. Giving unclear answers to interview questions
Kyalo said it is not enough to have great skills and knowledge; you have to make them obvious to the interviewer. An interview is a chance to sell yourself while also assessing if the organization is one you want to work in. You might have listed what you’ve done on the CV however, you also need to elaborate while giving examples to demonstrate your actions and achievements. Answering questions using the STAR method is a good example of this. Here is a brief breakdown of the STAR method:
(S)ituation - Here you describe a recent difficult situation you encountered at work.
(T)ask - The task you were supposed to accomplish to resolve the situation you encountered.
(A)ction - This is the time for you to state the set of actions you took in order to resolve the situation.
(R)esult - Now you talk about the results you got from taking those actions. At this point, you should let the interviewer know if you accomplished your goals or not. You can also add want lessons were learned from the experience and how you would approach a similar situation in the future.
3. Excessive humility
He also pointed out that while it is good to be humble, you don’t want to be shy about your accomplishments, what you’re great at, and what you love doing. Most of the time, interviewers are looking for candidates who exude confidence and enthusiasm when talking about their work. Talking about what you can do for the organization will catch the attention of the interviewers, which is essentially what they are looking for. Being too humble has caused some to fail job interviews.
4. Inconsistency and falsehoods
Another thing Kyalo advised that must be avoided at all costs is making false claims. He insisted that when answering questions, it is advisable to stick to the truth and give credible answers that can be backed up by facts. This is better than giving long confusing answers. If they don’t feel like they can trust you, they won’t hire you.
5. Lateness and inappropriate dressing
Showing up late makes you come across as an unorganized person. It may also cause you to fail job interviews. Kyalo explained that arriving late to an interview gives the impression that you are not interested in the job.
While there can be genuine reasons for lateness, it is upon the candidate to communicate this beforehand. Arriving early allows you to settle in, breathe, and prepare instead of arriving late and rushing into the interview. When it comes to dressing, it is better to be overdressed than to be underdressed. No matter how “cool” the organization is.
In conclusion
If you consciously make an effort, you can prevent certain job interview mistakes. Kyalo, who has been part of numerous interview panels for several years, makes it clear that you must be well prepared for interviews. He also emphasized giving clear answers devoid of falsehoods to questions using the STAR method where appropriate.
Kyalo said that humility is a good trait but must not be overdone in interview situations. Down-playing your accomplishments can hurt your candidacy.
He also insisted on the need to appear on time for your interview and be well dressed in order to avoid creating a bad first impression. He added that writing the word “breathe” on your palm and taking a glance at it when nervous can help you calm down.
