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What are some common mistakes you see job seekers make when interviewing for a role at your company?

I am preparing for interviews for internships so I thought I'd ask what common (or not so common) mistakes young people make when interviewing at your company so that I can avoid making those mistakes when I start interviewing at companies I want to work for! Thank you! #human-resources #interviews #professional-development

interviews human-resources professional-development
Thank you comment icon Hello, The common mistakes I see are: -Not researching the company -Not dressing professionally -Not tailoring their resume and cover letter to the job description -Spelling and grammatical errors in the resume -Not Asking questions at the end of the interview (remember that you are interviewing them as well) -Not giving an example when they are asked scenario questions -Not sending a followup or thank you email to the interview panel -Not completely answering the question with a structured response. Huston
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Sarah’s Answer

Hi There! Great question.
The thing I look for is how the person can help my business - what skills and experience do they have. This is relevant if they are just starting out or have been working for a while.
The thing to avoid is to tell me about the company I work for - tell me about you and how you think you can help the company succeed.
Good Luck!
Sarah
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Alex’s Answer

It's often easy to identify a previous experience but just as easy to not be clear in communicating it. This structure doesn't always have to be followed but is a good way to demonstrate previous experience -

The best I've found is the S-T-A-R approach

What was the SITUATION
What was the TASK
What ACTIONs did YOU take to address the task and skills you had to use
What was the end RESULT for both YOU and the wider TEAM/ COMPANY

A good way to practice is with your friends when telling a story to them, all stories have a start-middle-end
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Will’s Answer

Turn up on time
Make notes
Ask open questions. These questions start with; What, Where, When, How, Who, Why.
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Pamela’s Answer

Best tips I have received and always applied are:

- Be on time
- Be prepared on the company you are interested in joining - who the are and what they do
- Ask questions - asking questions shows that you are really interested and care
- Take notes
- Be honest - no point in lying about a particular skill you don't posses, you will soon be found out
- have a positive attitude - a smile and open attitude goes a long way
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Martyn’s Answer

Hi.
Keep calm. I have been doing interviews for staff over the last couple of years and its safe to say the best piece of advise i can give you is be yourself !
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Lisa’s Answer

Go into the interview with a plan! A common question would be to share an experience where things didn't turn out the way planned, expectations were not met, or goals were not obtained. In whatever form the question comes, I have found the best way to answer is to have a story about a "challenge" that I have experienced but find a way to end the story with the challenge becoming an opportunity and the lessons learned. I also have found that using professional experiences versus personal experiences are usually the best route to take. I cannot stress enough, do your homework on the company, the interview and job you are seeking. I use Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Google, Hoovers, etc.

Also, know exactly what you have on your resume, which is easy since it should always be 100% truthful & accurate. When you are listing your qualifications, use examples and action verbs.

If possible, find someone to "role-play" the interview with you. Practice how to give succinct, ad-hoc answers to common interview questions.

Take your time to answer the questions and do not hesitate to ask for clarification if you do not fully understand the questions being asked.

Have questions for the interviewer prepared regarding the company, expectations of the role, what they are looking for in a candidate and end asking if there are any reasons they would not consider you as a leading candidate. Do not be afraid to ask for the next steps after your interview so you know what to expect.

Remember: BE ON TIME & BE PREPARED.

Lastly, I send emails after the interview, thanking the interviewer for their time and consideration. I include highlights of that further confirm why I would be the best candidate for the opportunity.
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Nancy’s Answer

Hi - good question!
Here are some tips:
Arrive early!
Make sure to dress appropriately in business professional attire, no matter what the dress code,you should always be professional as the interview is your time to shine.
Research the company so you have a good understanding of the business and can ask intelligent questions.
Always prepare questions to ask the interviewer.
And the basics - cell phones off, no gum chewing, sit up straight, present a good handshake, be confident, smile, and be sure to make eye contact!
Good luck!
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