This article originally appeared in the November 2023 issue of Security Business magazine. When sharing, don’t forget to mention Security Business magazine on LinkedIn and @SecBusinessMag on Twitter.
When interviewing for a job, (especially one you really want), it is important to stand out from other candidates. There are several simple best practices of interviewing that can increase your chances of scoring the position; at the same time, there are also several things to steer clear of that can hurt your chances, that you may not be thinking about.
Here are the do’s and don’ts of job interviews:
Do’s
1. Be on time. While this seems like an unsaid rule of interviewing, you would be surprised how many candidates show up late to interviews. Being on time can give you an edge against others who show up late. Additionally, being on time shows preparedness and respect for other people’s time. Showing up even one minute late can put a sour taste in the mouths of some interviewers, particularly if that is a pet peeve of theirs.
2. Show your interest. Companies want to hire candidates who appear very interested in the job. Come to any interview prepared to take notes and ask good questions that are topical to show engagement and enthusiasm. Make sure you are not distracted and try to clear your mind ahead of time. Turn your cellphone on silent and ignore it for the duration of the interview. Using your phone in front of an interviewer can be considered rude or worse disrespectful.
3. Bring good energy. One of the most common interview faux pas is appearing to have low energy. Sometimes caused by nerves, candidates may be “one-word” interviewees. Always elaborate within reason and try to create a good banter back and forth, so the interview is a give and take. Having low energy during an interview is at times awkward or uncomfortable for the interviewer, as it doesn’t allow the conversation to flow. To avoid this, come prepared with questions or practice answering common questions ahead of time.
4. Be yourself. Never try to oversell yourself as someone you aren’t. It is ok to be lacking in some areas or skillsets. Be transparent and honest about that as the interviewer will often appreciate that.
Don’ts
1. Desperation. Sometimes our desire or excitement for the position can seem excessive and come across as desperate. This is especially a concern for unemployed candidates. Excessively following up, extremely aggressive closes, and even too much eagerness at times can turn off interviewers. While showing interest is important, it is best to taper excitement until the actual offer comes.
2. Go off topic. Anecdotes and examples are fine to bring up, but the interviewer does not need to know about your 7th grade field trip to DC, your divorce from your first spouse, or how awesome that BBQ restaurant was that one time you had a layover in Memphis. Be cognizant of the exact question you were asked and make sure to answer it fully before going off on a tangent. Again, it is ok to bring up stories, especially if it will connect you to the interviewer, but make sure it makes sense.
3. Overtalk the interviewer. At most the candidate should do about 40-50% of the talking. If this is a surprising stat, you may be overtalking the interviewer. Again, nerves sometimes play a role in this area. An interview works both ways, and candidates should ask questions of the hiring manager; however, try to keep that stat in mind.
4. Say “I’m not really looking, but the right offer would get me excited,” or something similar. Save that talk for your recruiter! While sometimes opportunities present themselves at random, it is important not to make statements like this. This shows a lack of seriousness and can often leave the interviewer feeling like compensation is all that matters to the candidate.
Ryan Joseph is the Director of Security and Public Safety Technology Recruiting at Recruit Group (https://recruitgrp.com) specializing in operations, sales, and sales leadership from Entry Level to the C-Level. Mention this article and receive a free 30-minute hiring consultation. Contact her at [email protected] or call (954) 278-8286.
