How to fail an interview?

LisaB85

Those of us out work are obviously failing interviews and are giving plenty of tips on what to do but what about what not to do?

I was told turning up more than 10 minutes early was an instant fail, I aim to be 5min early to show punctuality and so I don't go in all flustered but not too early.

Is turning up early a bad thing?

Any others?

Before the 'nit pickers' turn up, this thread is not because I want to fail an interview it is an attempt to discover if I'm unwittingly doing things to put employers off, things that are not obvious.

serious_saver

I am in work but I'm desperately looking to change jobs (as I'm a contract/freelance worker)

I would love to know the same thing. When I ask for feedback I am constantly being told that I interviewed well but there was someone with just a little more experience than me!

I keep wondering if there is something I'm doing wrong at the actual interview which means I'm not presenting myself well enough.

DVardysShadow

LisaB85 wrote: »

... I was told turning up more than 10 minutes early was an instant fail, I aim to be 5min early to show punctuality and so I don't go in all flustered but not too early.

Is turning up early a bad thing?

I don't know who told you that, but it looks like someone shooting their mouth off. Take not a lot of notice - it only adds to stress. And if the employer is that anal, you are probably better off without the job.

Dunroamin

I can understand the argument about turning up too early; it shows poor time management and indicates that you think that your own time is of little value.

DVardysShadow

serious_saver wrote: »

... I would love to know the same thing. When I ask for feedback I am constantly being told that I interviewed well but there was someone with just a little more experience than me!

Ask the hard question. "if the other candidate had not turned up, would you have offered me the job?"

If the answer is 'yes', then not a lot you can do, it is just bad luck. If it is anything other than a clearcut 'yes', you know you have issues.

LadyMissA

LisaB85 wrote: »

Those of us out work are obviously failing interviews and are giving plenty of tips on what to do but what about what not to do?

I was told turning up more than 10 minutes early was an instant fail, I aim to be 5min early to show punctuality and so I don't go in all flustered but not too early.

Is turning up early a bad thing?

Any others?

Before the 'nit pickers' turn up, this thread is not because I want to fail an interview it is an attempt to discover if I'm unwittingly doing things to put employers off, things that are not obvious.

Well I never really get there more than 10 mins early but its not a fail if you do, how could it be? It's better than not being there when tehe interviewer is looking for you out the window! lol

I say 10 mins as that just gives you time to get in the door, be offered a drink and get settled before the interviewer is called to come and see you.

I think if you get nervous more than 10 is a long time to see there and worry. Less however may worry you that you wont get there in time.

scooby088

I'd say be there 10 mins before the interview i always am, it's the same though when i start work i like to be there atleast 10 mins before i start so i can wind myself up for the day.

wapow

You are NOT failing interviews.

If you havent figured it out already, there are people out there who used to work higher level jobs with alot more experience.

Alot of these peole have been put out of work.

As a company, sometimes they require people who will need the least amount of training and effort put into them. This saves time and money for the company and also the time of the individual who has to sit and train you.

So alot more experienced people are sadly taking on jobs which they otherwise would not!

I know this for a fact.

There is no point turning up inside the office 15 mins early. Always SET OFF early, make sure you are near the vicinity of the building atleast 15 minutes before hand.

Take with you a folder. Inside it, have your CV, Pen, Job Spec and carry notes with you. When youre near the workplace, just start to look over your notes (you should be prepared beforehand anyway and this should just be a refresher.)

Go into the office 10 mins early, sign in. Usually you will sit in reception. Take the time to breathe and relax and get confident.

What NOT to do.

Be over confident.
Do the "walk".
Act brash or cocky.
Not keeping strong eye contact.
Saying things like "no mate, yes mate, alright mate"
Not wearing a suit tie and polished shoes
Having your top button undone.
Wearing a suit thats a fashion statement as opposed to professional.
Constantly using "we did this" instead of "i did this"
Going "eeerrrmm" or "hmmmmmm"
Not smiling.
Acting disinterested.
Lack of passion/enthusiasm for the role.
Not doing your hair in a simple manner. Be fancy when you get the job.
Asking about pay and holidays.
Not asking proper questions to the interviewer.
Talking negatively about your previous work and/or bosses, colleagues.
Not knowing how to answer difficult questions like
"What would you do if you were not getting along with someone"
"Give an example of when you have not got on well with someone and how you overcame this problem"

Not sitting up straight - If the chair is uncomfortable it can have an adverse effect on your thinking. Request a new chair if you find it not suited to you and sit up straight. It allows the energy of your body to travel smoothly.


Someone mentioned something really good. Called a STAR? System (I think)
Always answer like -

Situation - What was the situation
T?
Action - What action you took
Result - What was the result? (Make it good)

Otherwise use this -

What NOT to do

serious_saver

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Ask the hard question. "if the other candidate had not turned up, would you have offered me the job?"

If the answer is 'yes', then not a lot you can do, it is just bad luck. If it is anything other than a clearcut 'yes', you know you have issues.

Absolute Genius!

LadyMissA

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Ask the hard question. "if the other candidate had not turned up, would you have offered me the job?"

If the answer is 'yes', then not a lot you can do, it is just bad luck. If it is anything other than a clearcut 'yes', you know you have issues.

Would an employer really answer that?

InsideInsurance

I certainly wouldnt instantly fail someone for being there more than 10 minutes early but I would be slightly irritated by it.

I am always more than 10 minutes early to the area of where the interview will be but then will just go to a cafe or sit in the car or go for a walk etc to eat up the time and get to the company reception 5-10 minutes before the interview.

What not to do is generally the opposite of what you should do:

1) People who dont answer the complete question. As an old example, "Given me an example of when you had to deal with an irate customer?" I dont want you to just say "a guy came in angry and I dealt with him" and then look at me blankly. What happened. What you did. What the outcome was.

2) Waffle. Whilst I want a complete answer I don't want a 45 minute description of every test you did on the guys computer to try and work out why the CD wouldn't eject.

3) Overly focused. May be a personal one more than general but I dont want someone who comes across as an absolute expert in one area and no knowledge at all of anything else. So examples should demonstrate there is consideration of the bigger picture and not just your little area.

4) We, we, we. A lot of people are guilty of this. I want to know what YOU did and by answer we did this, we did that I don't know what you personally did. Sure context can be necessary which can be in the plural but you should quickly switch to talking about yourself.

5) Negativity/ bitterness. Can be hard but I dont want an interview to be 1hr of your saying how your bosses are all incompetent. Sometimes it is going to be a negative response but if so it should be made very short.

6) No questions back. Interview is a two way process, you should have a series of questions beyond just (1) pay and (2) when will I hear.

There are all the obvious ones like failing to turn up, dirty/unkept, chewing gum etc