Discussion 33: Interviewing Continutation
This is the question we ask you all to answer last week in Discussion 32:
Of the following five behaviors that candidates exhibit during a job
interview, what do you believe is the one behavior most interviewers find
unforgivable?
1. Poor personal appearance/hygiene
2. Overemphasis on money
3. Failure to look at interviewer while interviewing
4. Did not ask questions
5. Late to interview
The following is the answer given by the author of the book Interviewing Skills:
“If you guessed #4, you are correct! Job applicants who donʼt ask questions make
interviewers lose confidence in them and it makes them feel that you might not possess
the ability to take on a job as great as the one he is offering you. So, remember to have
your questions ready.”
However, it is our belief at CampusJobXpress that the answer should be all of the above.
We found all of your answers very informative, well thought out, and applaud the way you
answered. The following is the remainder of the discussion from the author and we
welcome your thoughts and opinions.
“Now, back to what other situations interviewers view
negatively during a job interview. Make sure you donʼt do any of these:
• Late to the interview (Big No-No)
• Personal appearance that is unprofessional
• Overbearing, overaggressive or egotistical behavior
• Lack of positive purpose
• Failure to look at interviewer while interviewing
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm —passive and indifferent
• Lack of confidence and poise, nervousness
• Over emphasis on compensation
• Evasiveness, making excuses for unfavorable factors in work history
• Lack of tact, maturity and courtesy
• Condemnation of past employers, managers, projects or technologies
• Inability to carry on a conversation
• Lack of commitment to fill the position at hand
• Failure to ask questions about the position
• Persistent attitude of “What can you do for me?”
• Inability to take criticism
• Indecisive, cynical, or lazy
• Lack of preparation for the interview—failure to get information about
the company resulting in inability to ask intelligent questions.
Employers hire people they like; they do not hire people they do not like.
Therefore — first and foremost— be likable and create a good first
impression on your interview. People get hired — experience alone does
not!”