3 of the Worst Things You Can Do In or After An Interview

What are some of the worst things you can do in an interview? When you are interviewing, what you're saying is: "This is the best I can be. This is the best "me" you will ever see-- the best dressed, most articulate, engaging and professional self I can present." That's why every detail counts. Same thing for the resume and cover letter and any other materials you present. A typo, missing button or un-ironed shirt all signal the same thing: “I am sloppy and not attentive to detail--and this is how I will do my work.”

Don’t make these mistakes:

1) Stating a real weakness when asked the "strength and weakness" question. We're not asking to find out your real weakness; we're asking to find out how diplomatic you can be under pressure. I've heard people say, "Well, I'm lazy, I procrastinate, I have no sense of humor, I can't do math." Game over. What you've also revealed as a weakness is that you lack tact discretion, and now I know I couldn't trust you with clients or confidential information--you must be able to spin answers to this question that reflect well on yourself. Good weakness (unless the job requires public speaking, of course): "I'm not as comfortable as I might be public speaking, but I'm working on it." This is a safe answer because most people are terrified of speaking in public. 

2) Not ending the interview with a "closing argument" the way a trial lawyer would, expressing why you are the best person for the job. Having listened closely in the interview and taken notes and adapted a prepared statement you walked into the interview with (yes, you may write it down and refer to it as you take other notes in the interview), you need to leave the interviewer with a powerful and enthusiastic message reiterating how your experience fits his needs and solves his problem. Your theme is "I am qualified to do this job, I want to do this job, and I am the best person to do this job."

3) Not following up after the interview with a thank-you note and a later expression of interest. Many employers say that even after a great interview, many candidates simply don't follow up to let the interviewer know he/she wants the job! Some candidates are afraid to reach out and contact the interviewer. Don't hound people or be a pest but send a thank you note immediately following the interview to everyone with whom you spoke including the assistant or whoever set up the interview and handled logistics. Ask what the hiring timeline is and if you haven't heard anything, be in touch a week or ten days later to say how much you enjoyed the interview and that the more you heard about the job, the company/organization, the more you realized how your skills and talents match their needs.

You are well-armed. Iron your shirt, go forth and conquer.