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Posted By Buzz Lightyear
Just found out I failed to get through the first interview for a job I know I can do and would do well and have an appropriate proven track record.
I nearly always find this. I look good on paper - as I tend to get interviews for over half the jobs I apply for. However I don't know what I do wrong at the interview but I always come away with a gut feeling I did not do well - even though I may have given good answers to questions, something about my nerves etc lets me down.
I used to prepare a great deal which would up the anxiety levels and make me even less myself and more nervous. More recently I have tried to be more casual in my preparation but this has let me down in seeming unprepared.
I am confident that if you were to ask the vast majority of people at my current employment whether I do a good job, they will be very complimentary - same in my previous job. Also, I believe I am a likeable person and receive lots of compliments about my work and my profile. I also always get great feedback on my training courses. However, none of this comes across at the interview. I always feel like an examination.
Any tips?- I've read loads of stuff about how to answer common questions and the importance of preparation. However, there is something more fundamental that I am doing wrong here. I have tried asking for feedback after the interview. Most of the time, people strangely don't return my calls, occasionally I have been told I was a strong candidate and other times that I came across a little nervous.
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Posted By Elfy
The only advice I can give is to ask a colleague to do a mock interview with you and to be blunt about your performance.
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Posted By clairel
Conversley I have only ever failed three interviews - that's not bragging by the way just a statement. Face to face communication is what I'm pretty good at.
So - suggestions?? It's hard to know for sure but:
- as you rightly say, try not to over prepare as it comes across as false (I have to admit that all I ever do is research the company).
- don't forget to let a little bit of you shine through. Companies may want someone who is competent but if you're already got through to interview they have pretty much satisfied themselves of that. So show a bit of personality. No one wants a mouse or a doormat about. Don't be afriad to laugh and express your opinion.
- show passion. I have a lot of passion for whatever I do and that comes across and I get comments on it. People like passion in my opinion.
- Don't go into the interview thinking just about whether you will get the job. Think about whether you want the job. The three job interviews I failed I had already decided I didn't want the job very quickly - that probably came across to the interviewers to be honest. It's about a job that's right for you not just a job. So don't give them all the power, some of the power is yours.
- communication skills are an art and need to be worked on. Many people have awful communication skills in my opinion. Why not try going on a course so you can learn about good communication techniques, including body language.
Finally I always say if I didn't get the job it wasn't the right job for me (not that I wasn't good enough for the job or that I failed the interview). Think positive!
Good luck.
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Posted By Buzz Lightyear
Many thanks for your responses Elfy and Claire. I'll try out some of your suggestions for next time.
With regard to your final suggestion, Claire about communication skills. I think in a work setting, my communication skills are fine but with an interview, I don't know what it is but I feel like and probably look like a rabbit caught in the headlights!
May be the answer is to see the interviewers as friends/colleagues rather than evil examiner types! I seem to be able to perceive delegates as friends I have never met before when running training courses - but that's different because I feel in control. However in an interview they seem to be in control. Perhaps with your mindset of going to the interview to see if the job is for me + good preparation, there should be a better feeling of being in control.
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Posted By Stuff4blokes
Buzz, I think you are working towards a possible solution. Clairel's advice seems great to me. I would add that before I started to approach job interviews as me interviewing a prospective employer I too became very tense and nervous, believing that I was being examined by hostile people. Once I made that mental switch the process was easier, I felt more confident and the thought that I could walk away if it wasn't right for me was a powerful one.
Also remember that the interviewer(s) are doing something that they too may feel uncomfortable with. They certainly are looking to find a good candidate and are usually looking for reasons to like and employ you. When I have interviewed as a potential employer I have remembered my previous feelings and attempted to make the process as painless as possible as well as remembering that I had to sell the job and organisation too.
It's easy to say but just be natural. If you attempt to be something you are not it will likely be picked up by the interviewer. Worse is ending up in a job that doesn't fit.
Hope this helps and good luck in future interviws.
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Posted By Brian Rudge
As an old hand who has been on both sides of the interview table here is my take:
There is no alternative to preparation- find out as much as you can about the job you are applying for. I am amazed at the number of people that I've interviewed that haven't even looked at our website. The most common opening question is 'Tell us what you know about our company'.
The most common second question is 'tell us about yourself' - this is not about your life history - a 2 minute capsule profile and work in as many experiences relative to the job you are after as possible, then say 'that's very brief, is there any area you would like me to expand on'
Listen to the questions being asked and pause to gather your thoughts before answering - too many candidates just produce a mind dump on all they know on the subject (often not relevant). That pause may seem like an eternity to you but in reality it's not and most interviewers will welcome a structured answer.
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Posted By Stuart Williams
You are not alone Buzz Lightyear - I am exactly the same and you have my sympathy.
On paper I look really good too - CMIOSH plus other qualifications and good experience and good position in current job but totally let myself down in the interview.
I have only attended one interview in the past 18 years which I probably failed miserably.
Good advice given above - I did a schoolboy error and didn't do as much background research as I should have on the position. The interview I attended involved a presentation and questions by five Managers - bit daunting and my nerves let me down badly.
I think there are Companies that could coach you in interview techniques but don't think they come cheap.
Not the best thing to do I am sure but I am "compensating" for my lack of interview skills by doing more courses - currently doing Construction Cert and an Environmental qualification just so I may be able to stand out just a tad more and have a wider skills base.
The more interviews you attend I think would be of benefit and there is very good advice on the web too.
Good Luck
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Posted By John Fraser
Buzz
I agree with the responses above, but sometimes the expression if your face fits often comes into the reckoning.
You could have all the experience under the sun together with top quals, but if your face doesn't fit then it is a struggle.
To get to the interview stage is good - it shows you have came across well at interview stage, but the next step getting the job is perhaps even trickier. I have found this out, where I have been pipped to various posts recently, and so I have learned from this and swiftly moved on to the next opportunity. As somebody said above, the more interviews you get the more confident you'll be in talking to strangers on an interview panel where next time you will be the person getting the job.
At the interview stage all you do is be yourself, and if you get the job, you can make a decision on whether to accept or not based on what you hear / feel from the employer.
John.
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Posted By Exdeeps
Buzz,
All the other advice is good, I would add that you need to take any positives you can out of a failed interview by phoning the interviewer or HR dept and asking for feed back on what went well, what did not work and do they have any advice - AND did they manage to fill the position? You may get no feedback, however, when i have tried I always got something useful to work on,
Jim
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Posted By D H
Buzz - excellent advice above - especially in preparing by checking the company and the job role.
As far as the nervous bit goes - knowledge is power.
As you know from being a trainer, you feel in control. That is because you know your subject well. Use the same mind set before the interview.
Also prepare bodily. Make sure you are breakfasted, toileted,showered etc - ensure basic needs are met, and they will not interfere at the wrong time.
Stay positive and good luck in the future.
Dave
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Posted By Buzz Lightyear
Many thanks for all your helpful and supportive replies. I'm quite eager to go for another interview now just to see if I can turn things around.
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