What does it take to pass a job interview?

soraya55

I wonder if someone can give me some advice. I have been looking for a job since the end of last year with no luck. Obviously during the lockdown it made things harder but beforehand and even now I am still finding it really difficult. 

I have had interviews but somehow I never get a job offer.  I have gone over numerous potential interview questions and answers, role played to try to improve my interview technique. I have tried being: professional, easygoing, friendly etc. I admit in some interviews I have been very nervous but even a couple where I was more relaxed I still didn't get the job.

I don't know what else I can do. I research the jobs, I always ask questions at the end and always dress appropriately for an interview. For some of the jobs I have sent a thank you note 24 hours after the interview.  But still nothing. And I am not going for technical jobs these are basic admin jobs.

I have also asked for feedback but all they say is I don't have enough experience in this role or there was a stronger candidate. ( I have over 25 years experience) I am wondering is it an age thing? I read that most interviewers decide who they will select within 10 seconds of meeting them. But I always try to appear as friendly as possible. I am now unsure as to whether I will ever work again.

Marcon

soraya55 said:

I read that most interviewers decide who they will select within 10 seconds of meeting them. But I always try to appear as friendly as possible. I am now unsure as to whether I will ever work again.

That could be the problem. What you see as 'friendly' could well be interpreted as too casual/familiar/over-eager. When I'm interviewing I'm looking for good interpersonal skills, not a new best friend. Possibly toning down that aspect of things might help?

Sandtree

From the interview itself... the main test is how you compare to everyone else that interviews, in theory there is a question of meeting a minimum requirement but if you are the best candidate on the day and still don't get offered that is much more a reflection on their ability to sift CVs than anything.

I would certainly disagree on the 10 second rule... I can certainly rule someone out in 10 seconds but no way can I decide who I will hire in that timescale.  As a candidate I can generally have a very good idea of if an offer will be coming or not in the first 5 minutes of an interview based on the raptor thats building or isnt.

Your 25 years experience is over how many companies? Presumably you are mid 40s if you have that much experience or was there a career change in there too? Its difficult to give generic advice but try to think of what they have put in the job advert/spec and ensure you call out those aspects in your answers... so if they say they want a team player and then in an interview they ask you to give an example of how you've dealt with a difficult situation then try and build in a "team player" type aspect.

soraya55

Thanks for your replies. I would like to say, when I say I try to be friendly I don't mean over friendly I don't tell jokes or anything I think that may put them off! i just try to be amenable and someone that people would want to work with. However, I am never sure if employers would prefer someone much more serious. Maybe I am just a person that doesn't build rapport easily with other people.
In previous jobs I have always done well and managers have said I am a really great worker.  I just think that I am good in a job but really rubbish at interviews.

Dox

soraya55 said:

In previous jobs I have always done well and managers have said I am a really great worker.  I just think that I am good in a job but really rubbish at interviews.

The more you tell yourself you are rubbish in interviews, the more you increase the chances of that becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, so please don't! Focus on the fact that you're a great worker.

If you aren't succeeding in the area where you are currently looking for work, could you broaden the search both geographically and in terms of actual job? If you're worried about never working again, then any job is going to be better than none - and may be a stepping stone back to your preferred choice.

[Deleted User]

It it could be an age thing. I’ve come across a couple of ad’s more in these times asking specifically for people of 24 years to apply and whilst I can understand kind of why with my newish colleague early 20’s not afraid of computers - coming up 40 I’m starting to notice a little ageism creeping in. Not so worried but I still feel an old lady with directors of 42!!!
My tip would be if you can find like and follow the company on social media do so - it might sound corny but this was what worked for me in Jan when I went for a job in a small company I really wanted, I stood out because I had liked the company posts etc and of course fairly willing to accept a lower salary.

Doshwaster

More often than not a final interview isn't to determine whether you can do the job - your CV and and any screening interviews  should tell them that - but rather if you are the sort of person who they want to work with. Unfortunately, even with the best designed recruitment process, this can lead to some unconscious biases in the final choice. 

[Deleted User]

The key thing is being the right person for that role and company. I would probably never get a job at a large multinational type corporation because they work so differently to smaller businesses and that's the type of organisation my personality and skills fit.

When I have interviewed people in the past, the perfect candidate is always raising my suspicions. Writing a job spec is like a wish list and you will probably find very few, maybe even no people have all of those skills or experiences, any candidate is a compromise. If they do match 100% then there is a high chance they have written their CV to match the job requirements which would make me question if they really did have any of those skills.

My point here (and this does somewhat go against the general consensus of advice) is perhaps you are trying to put yourself across to be everything they want.
Do some background research on what a company does but ultimately be yourself, be confident in your own abilities and put across your experience. When they ask questions give real examples of what you have done and don't try just to give perfect interview answers!

MalMonroe

Marcon said:

soraya55 said:

I read that most interviewers decide who they will select within 10 seconds of meeting them. But I always try to appear as friendly as possible. I am now unsure as to whether I will ever work again.

That could be the problem. What you see as 'friendly' could well be interpreted as too casual/familiar/over-eager. When I'm interviewing I'm looking for good interpersonal skills, not a new best friend. Possibly toning down that aspect of things might help?

I disagree. When I interview, I love a friendly person. Don't tone down but do be yourself. Most interviewers pick up immediately if you're being insincere. I know how stressful interviews can be and so do most other interviewers too because we have all been there. 

Sadly, although it's illegal, some employers are ageist. But if you can demonstrate that you have the skills and ability to carry out the duties of the post during the interview there's no reason why you shouldn't be successful. And if are rejected, do ask for feedback, ask them to tell you exactly why and what you could do to be more successful in future. If you don't know what you're doing wrong (if you are doing anything wrong, of course) then you won't know what to do next time. Good luck, something's bound to come up soon! 

P.S. I wouldn't send any more thank you notes, though! That's a little bit too much.

Brynsam

Jsacker said:

Marcon said:

soraya55 said:

I read that most interviewers decide who they will select within 10 seconds of meeting them. But I always try to appear as friendly as possible. I am now unsure as to whether I will ever work again.

That could be the problem. What you see as 'friendly' could well be interpreted as too casual/familiar/over-eager. When I'm interviewing I'm looking for good interpersonal skills, not a new best friend. Possibly toning down that aspect of things might help?

Friendly could also mean just being a polite, well-mannered human being. 

.

It could, but if so, it hasn't worked for OP, has it?

Emmia

I'd always go for someone who is professional, over "friendly" in an interview situation where there are 2 or more people who have the skills to do the job. 

Friendly can be interpreted by people, as being someone who will be a distraction by "chatting" rather than "working"... 

Alternatively you're over qualified, which means an interviewing manager may worry subconsciously about their job, or that you'll be off in 5 minutes to something else - meaning they'll have to do the rehiring process again.

The other thing to consider, is what is the make up of the team/company you're trying to join? Are they the same gender, older, younger, etc. Whilst discrimination is illegal, potential employers have to be able to visualise you "fitting in" or "being part" of the team - if you're not "like" the other employees (and there are other equally qualified applicants) it's a tougher ask unfortunately - and they won't give this reason in any feedback to avoid being seen as being discriminatory.