Job searching can be difficult
Turn to Summit Employment Professionals if you are seeking a new career path or are looking for employment options. We have a team of recruiting professionals that search for a job that perfectly fits your needs, careers goals, interests, and more. We diligently search and find roles that will push you further towards your goals and help support you in this new adventure. We have our finger on the pulse for businesses looking to hire and we know what exactly they are looking for. Our blog shares helpful information we have gathered from our recruiting experience to help you be more prepared to take that next leap in your career.
Interview like a pro
Interviews can be scary! So much pressure for just a short conversation with someone. Feeling prepared and confident before an interview can be a huge key to your success in nailing the interview and solidifying the job. Follow these what-not-to tips to set yourself up for a successful interview.
What not to say in an interview:
Speak negatively about yourself
Businesses want to hire people who are confident in themselves, and they want to hear about your strengths. Instill confidence in their decision to hire you by speaking highly of yourself. Find the balance between being honest about your strengths and weaknesses without sounding like you’re bashing yourself.
Criticize your previous employer
Keeping the interview professional can go a long way when becoming a candidate for the job. Do not say “yeah I hated my last job, they were mean to me, and I just had to get out of that place”. This shows them that you have no problem openly criticizing your employer and you could seem difficult to work with. If you had a bad experience quickly touch on why and focus on the positive of the situation, like how excited you are for this new opportunity and you’re ready to move forward towards a better career path, etc.
I don’t have any questions
Come to the interview with 3-5 follow up questions. This shows them that you are interested and engaged in learning about them, the company, and the job itself. If you are nervous and think you’ll forget your questions, bring a small notepad with you. If they’ve covered everything about the specific job role, ask the interviewer about themselves. What’s their favorite part about working there? Why did they choose to work there? Or what’s the timeline look like for them getting back to you?
Irrelevant personal information
When answering the question “tell me about yourself” keep the information somewhat relevant to that interview/job. Tell them about your strengths, weaknesses, what makes you unique. But keep it professional. For example: if you get asked about a gap in your resume, no need to give explicit details as to why. Say something like “I had some things transpire in my personal life that made me take a step back from work for a bit. But I’m excited for this new opportunity and I’m ready to work on my professional career again.”
Over-explaining why you’re late
Steer clear of over explaining why you were late to the interview. No need to give the full story. If you’re running late, try to stay calm and collected. Say something along the lines of “I am so sorry I was late I know that being on time is extremely important. Being late is very out of character for me and I greatly appreciate you waiting patiently.”
I really want to get my foot in the door
This shows the interviewer that you want to work for this company, but you don’t really want this job. You’ll move on quickly to something else. Try to avoid saying “I want to get my foot in the door” altogether.
Summit Employment Professionals streamlines the employment process
Practice makes perfect! If you’re nervous about a job interview, ask a friend to practice with you and make note of these few things not to say. If you are looking for additional help in the job searching process, contact us. Job hunting is difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. We simplify the employment process for you. We’re your in-person advocate every step of the way. If you’re looking for a career change or are currently unemployed, your career starts at Summit Employment. Get started at summitemployment.com.