Hmmm... maybe I should have done more research!

Preparation and practice for interviews is critical, and can help you avoid the 8 deadly mistakes.

How do you prepare?  Use ZoomInfo, Yahoo Finance, and the company’s website.  Learn as much as you can about the company (or if a large company, the particular group or division you’re interviewing with).

First, know the basics.  How long they have been in business?  How many employees do they have?  What products do they produce?  Who are their clients?  Are they privately or publicly owned?  Where is corporate headquarters?  Who is on the Board of Directors? Who are the officers of the company?

Second, dig in.  You might find out that the CEO graduated from your alma mater, or that the company does business with one of your past employers, or you own one of their products. All that information will help you ask or answer questions at the interview. Be prepared!  With that, and a bit more, you might avoid the 8 deadly interview mistakes below! 

Avoid these 8 deadly mistakes!  (If you have more, feel free to comment below!)

1. Over-explaining why you lost your last job.  You can’t win with this, keep it short, simple and practiced.
2. Not showing enough interest in the position and company.  You may be interviewing for a position that is down a level or you feel is beneath you – but to the hiring manager, it’s a critical position and they want the best candidate.  Find enthusiasm!
3. Not having your personal “elevator pitch” ready.  Have a 90-second brief resume of yourself ready to go – you may briefly meet others in the hallway and it’s a great way to start any interview.
4. Not listening.  If you don’t listen, you are committing multiple interview sins.  First, you’re showing how you’ll be as an employee.  Second, you will answer the wrong question.  That will lower your perceived intelligence.  Third, you’ll make it look like you can’t follow instructions.
5. Not selling yourself as the best person for the job.  Don’t sell yourself short!  Figure out why you are the best candidate from the interviewer’s  perspective – and communicate that clearly!
6. Not practicing.  Sure, you know the answers if you’ve prepped, but you still don’t want to stumble when you deliver your carefully studied answers.
7. Being vague.  Just like you do on your resume, have strong verbal responses.  Be prepared with numbers – $ or % – of how you helped prior companies that you worked for.  Like, “I increased sales from $350,000 in 3 years to $2,500,000”.
8. Not asking for the job.  In an interview, you’re selling yourself.  Any good salesperson will tell you, if you don’t ask for the sale you won’t get it.  Close the interview by summing up what you can bring to the job and ask for the opportunity to deliver those results.

Thanks to to CNNMoney for inspiration for this list.

You can never be over-prepared an interview.  Do your homework and be prepared!

Good hunting!

Choices, choices...

Most Human Resources people will tell you that a candidate’s appearance at your job interview is the best that the candidate will look during their employment with the company. They’re talking about you.  In the Silicon Valley, the dress code has always been less formal than the East Coast and has become more and more informal for decades.  Today, it’s not uncommon to find companies that are not just “business casual” or have “casual Fridays” but are “casual”.  That doesn’t mean that informal dress is right for the job interview.

You need to consider what level of job you are applying for, and the level of the person you’ll be interviewing with, and if possible, the typical dress at the interviewing company before deciding what you will wear. The term “dress for success” is a good policy to follow.  Spend a few minutes using ZoomInfo or LinkedIn and learn the interviewer’s title(s) at the company. Talk to someone you know about how people dress there.  If you can get a specific answer, dress one or two notches above the standard.  If in doubt, a suit and tie for a man, or a suit and proper blouse for a woman is always acceptable.  It’s far better to over-dress (you can always take off the tie, put the jacket over the chair and roll up your sleeves) than under-dress.  Wetfeet has some similar comments.   “When in doubt, it’s better to err on the formal rather than on the casual side of dress.”

Take a look into the mirror before you leave the house to make sure that you are showing the look you want the company to see. Try and get to the appointment, at least 15 minutes early. Take time to stop off and check the mirror in the bathroom, and fix whatever may need touching up. Try getting into the office 5-10 minutes early, give yourself a chance to relax, gather your thoughts and be prepared for the questions.

Good hunting!