5 Reasons You May Be Failing Your Job Interview

You walk into an interview. You sit down, discuss the job, and think it goes well. Excited, you wait for a call that doesn’t come. Weeks later, you’re still waiting. What are you doing wrong?

Here are Five Reasons You May Be Failing Your Job Interview:  

1. You Assume the Interview Begins at Hello.

Your interview begins when the interviewer sees you, not when you say hello. Think about what that means: Before you say a word, the interviewer is sizing you up and beginning to decide whether you’d be a good fit for the company. Make the best use of your first impression:

Be on time. Being late can make you a non-starter.

Dress appropriately. If you don't know the dress code at the company, dress up.

Body language counts. A lot. Stand up when the interviewer enters the room. Smile and be the first one to offer a handshake. If you’re already standing up, take a confident step forward as you hold out your hand.

Greet the interviewer by name. (“It’s good to meet you, Mrs. Smith. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”) Most companies will tell you the name of your interviewer, or you can call and ask. Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn so you’ve got some background. And remember to be positive and confident—even before you say hello.

2. You Didn’t Focus on the Interviewer's Needs.

Job interviews generally aren’t about what the company can do for you; they’re about what you can do for the company. When you’re asked “Why do you want to work here,” be prepared to give examples.

Do your homework. Research the company and the position. At the least, you will be expected to know the requirements of the job you’re applying for and how your skills will mesh.

Want to bump it up a notch? Find a way your skills can be of value that the interviewer hasn't considered.

Here is a scenario: A bilingual candidate discovers the company has a growing segment of Spanish-speaking customers. The job opening doesn't mention language skills, but in the interview he mentions that he can use those skills to help improve service to Spanish-speaking clients. His suggestion rates some serious attention.

3. You Didn’t Listen.

During the interview, listen carefully to what the interviewer tells you about the company. This is another way to discover (and then discuss) how your skills might mesh with the company’s needs.

4. You Skipped Practice.

Unless you’re skilled at interviewing, you should practice before you get there.

Get comfortable answering the question “Tell me about yourself.” (This is your elevator pitch.)

Make a list of other practice questions. The possibilities are too numerous to list (a quick search will turn up dozens), but categories of questions you might be asked include your qualifications, your future, your ability to work with others, how you have/will handle challenging situations, and how you problem solve.

Don’t memorize your answers. Memorizing only makes your answers dry and robotic. Instead, become comfortable with what you have to say and with the examples you have to draw on.

Don’t lie. Interviewers can often tell, and even if they can’t, lies can trip you up later.

5. You Didn’t Stand Out.

Standing out doesn’t have to be an elusive task. I've already covered four ways to stand out:

• Know about the company want to work for.
• Understand how your skills match the job.
• Listen to the interviewer.
• Focus on the company’s needs.

Add a “pizazz” factor. Find a way to show that you went that extra step to be prepared.

• Bring a sharp-looking portfolio or resume.
• If your interviewer wants to know if you’d be willing to learn additional skills, don’t hesitate—accept the opportunity.
• Sometimes all it takes is being positive and relaxed in your interview. If the interviewer enjoys the conversation and feels like you'd fit in well at the company, that might just be enough to bump you to the head of the pack.
• When you leave, acknowledge the interviewer’s time. Most of all, tell him or her that you enjoyed being there. Your interviewer will remember you.

If you’re eager to land that job, then do your homework, set a positive tone, and understand how you can satisfy the needs of the company you want to work for. Then add a little pizazz. Your next job interview may just be the one that gets you in the door.

Sharon Epstein is founder of First Impressions College Consulting in Redding, CT. A Writers Guild Award-winner and two-time Emmy Award nominee, Sharon teaches students how to master interview skills, write killer resumes, and transform goals, dreams and experiences into memorable college application essays. She works with students world-wide, in-person, by phone, Skype and email. Visit her website or connect on Google+, Pinterest and Twitter.