While you should do your utmost to ensure job interview mistakes are avoided when interviewing for a job there are times whether through a lack of concentration, or just through plain old human error, mistakes can occur and the way in which you recover from those mistakes will play a key role in whether you are to be a successful applicant or not. Today I have focused on some common interview mistakes and provided methods of recovery to each error.

                                                                                                                                                      1)  Arriving late for an interview.

If you arrive late you should apologize sincerely and say something like “I’m really sorry, when I drove here yesterday as practice run, it took me half the time but a bad accident held the traffic up today”, that way you are letting the interviewer know that you took the time to take a practice run which he/she will appreciate, and that the delay was unavoidable.

2)  Forgetting to turn off your cell-phone and you get a call during the interview.

Do not be tempted to look at the phone to see who is calling and in no circumstances answer the phone, instead turn the phone off and apologize to the interviewer saying something along the lines of, “I’m really sorry I was sure I switched it off, sincere apologies.”

3)  Arriving at the interview to see other candidates in suits while you are dressed casually.

This can cause embarrassment unless you know what to say to offset the issue. One way to overcome the error is to say “I am sorry for my casual appearance but had I worn a suit it may have caused suspicion in my current job as casual dress is the norm there, had I not been coming from work I would of course come dressed in more professional attire.” The interviewer will appreciate your honesty and, in most circumstances, be willing to overlook your mistake.

4)  Realizing you made a mistake in answering a question.

If you provide an answer then suddenly realize that you have given the wrong answer, rather than saying nothing, you will be better served by admitting that you had made a mistake by saying something along the lines “actually on reflection I gave an incorrect answer to the previous question, the correct answer should have been…”, the interviewer will admire your honesty and also the way in which you didn’t let the fact that you gave an incorrect answer to harm your composure.

                                                                                                                                                      If you make a mistake in a job interview the most important thing is not to let it overwhelm you to the point that it becomes a fatal blow to your employment ambitions. Interviewers are human and understand that mistakes can be made so don’t let an error on your behalf  knock your confidence, remain focused and continue your interview as normal.

Job fairs are a great way of finding jobs that suit your requirements, however given the amount of people who will be in attendance you need to do your utmost to make sure that you leave a positive impression on the companies that you get a chance to meet with on the day.  The tips outlined below will ensure you leave nothing to chance and are in a prime position to network successfully as you go from company to company.

                                                                                                                                                   1. Know what companies will be there.

Job fairs typically have a large number of companies recruiting, rather than spreading yourself too thin by rushing from company to company, find out in advance what companies will be in attendance.  Make sure you firstly go to the companies that interest you, taking your time at each stand, rushing about will leave you with less chance to make a favorable impression.

2. Bring your marketing information with you.

Marketing information for most job-seekers will include resumes and cover letters, however depending on the industry you are in, portfolios may also be suitable, either way bring enough with you to give to each company that interests you.

3. Dress for success.

Dressing well is very important at a job fair as you will be competing against so many other prospective employees each out to make a mark.  You will have a limited time to spend with each company so make the most of your opportunity by dressing appropriately for the occasion.

4. Build a rapport from the start.

A firm handshake and warm smile will be a good start but further impress the company by showcasing your knowledge about it.  It would be unreasonable to expect you to have research done on every company but do focus on the 5 or 6 companies that interest you most (as per step 1 in this list) and have information researched about them.  As you interview with these companies use this information to explain why you would like to work with them.  This will go some way to building a rapport and impressing the recruiter.

5. Thank you letters.

Just like with a job interview make sure to send a thank you letter to each of the recruiters from companies that interested you. You should have a business card for each from the job fair, use the contact information on the cards to contact them.

                                                                                                                                                        You should avail of the opportunity to attend job fairs as where else will you have an opportunity to meet a wide range of employers face to face who are actively hiring? Treat the day like any normal interview day and once you have visited the stands of the companies that interest you most, then visit the other stands to see what opportunities are available from the remaining companies.

Changing careers can be a rewarding experience for many employees disillusioned with their current job, however it is important not to try to change career for the wrong reasons as this will harm your career rather than improve it. With that in mind it is worth scrutinizing the 5 questions below and answer them honestly to be sure that you are making an informed decision that will see your career reap the rewards they deserve.

1. Are you changing careers because of salary reasons?

Certain careers and industries pay higher salaries because of the stress that goes with them, so if you do change career and are earning a higher salary but hate the job you will find yourself looking to switch careers again in a short space of time and that will not look well on your resume.

2. Are you changing careers because you dislike your job?

If you dislike your boss or your company that does not necessarily mean you dislike the career you are in, so get to the root of your unhappiness before deciding on whether you truly want to move careers or not.

3. Are you prepared to prove yourself all over again?

A change in career usually means investing time, training and effort in trying to prove yourself in a new industry, quite often with a reduction in salary to start off with. Make sure that you take all these factors into account before firming up on a final decision on whether to switch careers or not.

4. Do you know what you truly want to do?

Before making a definitive decision on changing careers make sure that you research the pros and cons in working in that industry. Things to weigh up include opportunities for advancement, average pay within the industry and the economic stability of companies working within that sector.

5. Are my existing skills transferrable?

When changing career it will be of great advantage to you if your existing skills are transferrable to the career you want to work in, so if you are undecided on what career to choose try to find one where your skills are in demand.

Changing careers is a major decision and one that should not be taken lightly, however everyone has a right to work in an environment where they enjoy what they do and feel there is career-progression available, so do not dismiss the thoughts of changing career just make sure you have asked yourself the questions outlined in this post.

Cover letters play an important role in trying to secure a new job. Your resume will showcase your experience but your cover letter will provide you with an opportunity to impress upon the hiring manager the reasons why you want the job along with your suitability for the position. Your cover letter should not be a complete sales pitch as you run the risk of sounding desperate but it should leave the hiring manager with enough information to make him/her very interested in your resume itself.

As with any document you will send to prospective employers you need to ensure that your cover letter is error free, the right length and does not include any inappropriate remarks, the following outline will give you an overview of what information you should include in it.

1) Specify the job title that you are applying for.

The hiring manager could have a number of vacancies that he/she is looking to fill so leave him/her in no doubt by including the job title in your opening remarks.

2) Briefly outline your experience in relation to the role.

Be wary not to make this too long but do add a line or two that demonstrates to the hiring manager that you have the required experience for the job.

3) Make mention of any awards or formal qualifications that might enhance your application.

If the job specification mentions that a degree or some form of higher education would be beneficial then use your cover letter to verify that you have this qualification, similarly if you any industry-related awards then refer to them in your cover letter.

4) Clarify your contact details.

Though your contact information will be on your resume it is no harm to specify on your cover letter how you wished to be contact so include something along the lines of “to contact me during business hours please call my cell phone, in the evening I can be contacted either on my home phone or my cell phone”.

5) Refer to the reasons why the job is of interest to you.

As you come to the end of your cover letter grab the chance to explain (in a quick sentence) the reason why this role appeals to you.

6) Thank the hiring manager.

End your cover letter with a courteous appreciation to the hiring manager for taking the time to review your application and encourage him/her to contact you if he/she has any questions about your application.

Your cover letter should indicate to the hiring manager that you are an enthusiastic, professional candidate, with strong communication skills and provide a favorable first impression on your behalf. if you haven’t already done so then it is worth your while reading a previous post how to write cover letters that grab the recruiters attention.

In an ideal world we would like to believe that the way to get promoted is to work hard, focus on working with a positive attitude and promotions will ensue thereafter, this is not always the case however.  In the competitive world of modern business in this day and age you sometimes need to be proactive in making the next step up the career ladder. Being proactive does not mean knocking on your manager’s door on a constant basis but instead trying to ensure that you stand out from other colleagues when promotion time comes around. Adhering to these 5 tips will help ensure that your name is at the forefront when a new position comes available in your company.

1. Make sure your boss is aware that you are enthusiastic about the company and plan staying there long-term.

You don’t need to wait until your annual review to make your boss aware of your happiness in the organization. If your supervisor knows that you are happy in the company then there is a greater chance of getting a promotion as your supervisor can rely on you staying in the job and thus not have to waste time going through the recruitment process all over again.

2. Use your annual review to provide evidence to show you are deserving of a promotion.

Going to your annual review armed with statistics of your performance and how the company has benefited from your contributions. Confidently, though not arrogantly, say that you feel you are deserving of a new challenge in terms of a promotion, and if there was not one available at present enquire as to what deliverables would need to be met in order to achieve a promotion once one becomes available.

3. Build a good relationship with your boss.

Having a good relationship with your boss will definitely stand you in good stead once an opportunity for a promotion arises. If you have been dismissive towards him/her in the past then your chances of being rewarded with a promotion will be limited.

4. Foster good relationships with key clients.

As your network of clients increases you become more valuable to the employer who will want to ensure that you are happy in your job rather than run the risk of seeing you resign and bringing those key clients with you.

5. Show both leadership skills and an ability to get along with colleagues.

Good leadership skills will boost your chances of being promoted as long as you show those skills in a positive manner that allows you to be a leader without alienating fellow employees. Getting on well with co-workers is important but having the potential to move into a managerial role is equally as important.

Whether the promotion you seek comes in the way of a new job or by an increase in salary make sure you use the tips provided to promote yourself as an employee, get the promotion that you deserve and continue on the path towards happiness at work.

How you sell yourself during a job interview will have a major impact on your chances of success, however it is very important that you do so in the right manner otherwise you run the risk of sounding desperate which might be a major turn-off for the prospective employer. In order to be in a prime position to showcase your ability you need to fully understand the job description and be aware of the most important criteria in the description.

1)  Build a rapport from the start.

From the minute you enter the interview room you are being scrutinized so make sure you make a good first impression. Be positive, greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, relaxed smile and do likewise to any other staff members who may be in attendance at the interview.

 2)  Use examples to your advantage.

If you have a good understanding of the job description then you will have a fair idea of what areas the interview will focus upon. Have examples ready to support your answers, there are fewer things more powerful to back-up your statements than examples that will prove to the interviewer that you have the relevant experience that he/she is looking for.

 3)  Have research done on the company.

One of the questions that you will most likely be asked is “why do you want to work for us?”, in your answer demonstrate to the interviewer that you have spent time researching the company. A thoughtful response based on information garnered from the company’s website will be appreciated by the interviewer.

 4)  Be relaxed.

Talking in a relaxed confident tone where you are in control of your speech will stand you in good stead with the interviewer, it will demonstrate a level of confidence and show that you have belief in what you are talking about.  Be mindful not to be overly relaxed mind you and similarly don’t allow your confidence to interpreted as cockiness.                                                                                                                                                       

 5)  Spend time practicing for your interview.

Study the job description and put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes, what questions would you ask based on the description? Write these questions down and use them as a platform to rehearse for the job interview, like with most things, you will find that the more you practice the more confident you will become, thus ensuring an assured interview. 

To truly sell yourself in a job interview you need to prove to the interviewer that you have the talent and energy for the role and are also the right fit for their company. You will achieve this by avoiding common interview mistakes, by conveying your passion for the job and by having a friendly approach, leaving the interviewer in no doubt that you would be a perfect fit to gel with existing team members.

We finish February with our once a month fun post, rather than our regular formal posts providing interview tips and advice on such topics as how to write cover-letters that help you become a more employable candidate. Having a sense of humor is important, irrespective of the economic conditions that surround us, so following up on last month’s post 5 previous jobs of the rich and famous today we take a humorous look at 10 things you would love to say to your boss but can’t, primarily because you need to keep your job of course.

 1. Come in at the weekend? You must be joking, you are lucky to have me from Monday to Friday as it is.

 2. You’re going to need someone to cover for me I’m heading home early today to go for a few drinks with my mates.

 3. Shall I run over to the store and get you some breath mints?

 4. How about when it suits me? Does when it suits me work well for you?

 5. Don’t bother giving me a deadline, we both know I’ll have it done when I’m good and ready.

 6. Is your train of thought shut down for repairs?

 7. I’m not sure what you are trying to say but either way I will treat it with the same meandering indifference as I do all your ideas.

 8. I have a job interview in the morning so expect me when you see me.

 9. Yeah, it ain’t gonna happen boss, I forgot all about it.

10. How about you get the coffee for a change. 

Hopefully that provided you with a smile, next week we return to serious business with a post on how to sell yourself during a job interview, in the meantime no matter how tempted you are, make sure you don’t say any of those lines to your boss or you may find yourself looking for a new job sooner rather than later.

Advice For Lunch Interviews.

Sometimes when you get to the serious end of the interview discussions such as after a second or third interview, the company who is hiring may invite you to meet for lunch or dinner, this news should be welcomed as it is a sign that you are a genuine contender for the role. However this type of interview should be treated with just as much seriousness as a first-round interview, so it is worth reading this previous post on a job interview checklist.   

If you perform poorly during a lunch interview then serious harm will be done to your credibility as a possible employee. The 6 tips outlined below will help whet your appetite for the interview and serve as a guide on how to perform well during this kind of interview.                                      

1. Avoid messy food.

A dinner/lunch interview is not the time to order awkward food to eat, so avoid food like tacos, spaghetti or stews and instead focus on food that you don’t run the risk of spilling on your shirt.

2. Mind your manners.

Refrain from speaking when you are in the middle of eating something, even if you are asked a question, finish eating before answering. The interviewer will far prefer the short delay rather than being given a close-up of your half-chewed food. Along a similar vein try to ensure that you have your mouth closed while eating and avoid slurping your drink/soup.

3. Be polite.

Your communication skills will be scrutinized by the interviewer particularly in relation to waiters and staff so ensure you show common courtesy at all times to prove to the interviewer that you have what it takes to work well with other employees.

4. Avoid distractions.

Have your cell-phone switched off or put in on silent, a business lunch is most definitely not the time to be sending text-messages or receiving /making calls.

5. The bill.

Most job seekers are unsure who should pay, the rule of thumb is the person who invited the other to lunch and that is usually the interviewer. As a matter of courtesy do offer to pay, once the interviewer declines your offer, politely thank him/her for the meal.

6. Send a thank-you note.

Following your lunch interview be sure to avail of the opportunity to send the interviewer a thank-you note. As with all thank-you letters make sure you emphasize your interest in the job in the letter and thank the interviewer for his/her time.

Don’t allow the fact that you have progressed to this stage of interview cloud your judgement, as over-confidence will not stand you in good stead with the interviewer, it will have the opposite effect. The tips provided in this post work equally well for dinner interviews so keep them in mind should you have any meal-related job interview.

Interview mistakes have been highlighted in a previous post The Top 5 Interview Mistakes And How To Avoid Them, continuing on that theme today we investigate further into interview mistakes to see what you need to be mindful of when attending job interviews.

• Watching the clock.
  Most interviewers are appreciative of anyone who takes time from their working day to attend interviews. If you are constantly checking your watch during the interview, this might hint to the interviewer that you would rather be elsewhere, so rather than showing the interviewer that you have an interest in the job you are in fact doing quite the opposite.

• Using crude language.
  Using bad language /swear words in a job interview will severely damage any chance you have of getting the job so keep your language professional and controlled throughout the interview process.

• Trying to speak over the interviewer.
  Make sure you allow the interviewer time to complete each question that he/she is asking, don’t guess the question and start speaking whilst the interviewer is speaking as you may be answering the wrong question altogether, not too mention that it shows a lack of courtesy towards the interviewer.

• Asking inappropriate questions during the interview.
  Intelligent questions related to the job or company is what is expected of you, if you ask questions that blatantly display that you have failed to do research on the company will alienate you from the interviewer and harm your chances of getting the job.

• Being critical of past employers.
  In the interview you should focus on communicating how you can add value to the business not criticizing past employers, as this may lead the interviewer to believe you have a poor attitude thus ending your chance of getting hired.

If you make a simple mistake during an interview such as get dates wrong or be unable to give a satisfactory answer (in your mind) to the question asked try not to get too flustered, instead continue on with your interview in a composed manner, and be sure to send a follow-up thank you letter after the interview.

When turning down a job offer it is important to understand how to decline a job offer with courtesy as in the future you may see another job with that company that interests you or it may simply be because you change your mind over which offer to accept, either way, respect should be taken with your reply to their job offer.

Before you make a decision to decline the job offer you need to give careful consideration that you are doing the right thing, once you have reached that stage then it is time to get in touch with the other company to inform them of your decision. The sooner you do this the better, from the company’s perspective, as they can then offer the job to their second-choice candidate.

Begin the process by calling the HR Department and thanking them for their offer before telling them that unfortunately you will not be accepting the role.

Following your call, the employer will appreciate it if you take the time write a letter /email explaining why you turned the role down. Here are some tips for what to say in your letter:

- once again thank the company for their interest in you.

- mention how impressed you were with both the staff and the organization.

- describe how it was a very difficult decision that you had to make.

- refer to the reasons why you accepted the other offer.

- offer your best wishes to both the individual and to the company.

Maintaining a professional attitude is important so do not criticize or show a lack of respect in your decline letter as burning bridges with the company may end up costing you in the long run. Finally before sending your letter make sure to check it for spelling and grammar errors to portray a consistency in your professionalism.