There is No Such Thing as The Perfect Interview
Take it from a recruiter who has been in numerous interviews both as a job seeker and as a recruiter. I have personally been on interviews in which I failed miserably and wanted to get up and leave the room. I just wasn't on top of my game those days. In other words, I did not prepare for the interview. I did little research, did not go to the address the day before to ensure that I could find the building, did not prepare questions to ask, and a lot of other things. One area I always took care of however, was my appearance. I never showed up late nor did I show up looking like I just got my clothes out of the glovebox of my car. Once again, it takes the total package to get the job.
By the way, I have also had off days as a recruiter conducting the interviews. It works both ways.
A Few Suggestions of How to Get Along at Work In the Meanwhile....
If you don't know what it is, call it an 'issue'…
If you don't know how it works, call it a 'process'…
If you don't know whether its worth doing, call it an 'option'…
If you don't know how it could possibly be done call it a 'challenge' or an 'exciting opportunity'…
If you want to confuse people, ask them about 'customers'…
If you don't know how to do something, 'empower' someone else to do it for you…
If you can't make decisions, 'create space' for others to operate…
If you need a decision, call a 'workshop' to 'network' and 'ground the issue', followed by an 'away day' to 'position the elephant in the room' and achieve 'buy-in'…
Never criticize or boast, call it 'information sharing'…
Never call something a failure or mistake, its a 'positive learning experience'…
Never argue, have an 'adult conversation'…
Looking for a Job While You Still Have One
There are several schools of thought on looking for a job while you have one vs looking for a job while unemployed. Some experts say that candidates who are working at a job are more desirable. Others say that someone who is working has a harder time getting a good organized search going for them. As a recruiter, I don't have a preference. As a job seeker, I found that I was more organized, had more time to research and prepare for interviews if I was not working at the time. I believe it depends on each person's situation. If you are working and looking at the same time, there are a few suggestions for your success.
First, don't send resumes from your present company. It isn't fair to your employer and it can result in a negative perception of you from potential employers. Always work on your personal job search from home. Second, don't spread the word around your office that you are looking. You may think its safe to discuss this with certain people, but the word can get out quickly. Finally, set aside a certain amount of time each day either before or after work to research and apply for other jobs. Since you always want to look professional on an interview, you also need to take into consideration your present company's dress code. Try to schedule your interviews early in the morning or late in the afternoon so your absence will not be a glaring issue. Always assume that you are being watched at work and that emails and internet searches can be tracked.
Unusual Interviews; I suggest you do not follow in the footsteps of these potential candidates.
Vice Presidents and personnel directors of the one hundred largest corporations were asked to describe their most unusual experience interviewing prospective employees.
- A job applicant challenged the interviewer to an arm wrestle.
- Interviewee wore a Walkman, explaining that she could listen to the interviewer and the music at the same time.
- Candidate fell and broke arm during interview.
- Candidate announced she hadn't had lunch and proceeded to eat a hamburger and french fries in the interviewers office.
- Candidate explained that her long-term goals was to replace the interviewer.
- Candidate said he never finished high school because he was kidnapped and kept in a closet in Mexico.
- Balding candidate excused himself and returned to the office a few minutes later wearing a headpiece.
- Applicant said if he was hired he would demonstrate his loyalty by having the corporate logo tattooed on his forearm.
- Applicant interrupted interview to phone her therapist for advice on how to answer specific interview questions.
- Candidate brought large dog to interview.
- Applicant refused to sit down and insisted on being interviewed standing up.
- Candidate dozed off during interview.
The employers were also asked to list the "most unusual" questions that have been asked by job candidates.
- "What is it that you people do at this company?"
- "What is the company motto?"
- "Why aren't you in a more interesting business?"
- "What are the zodiac signs of all the board members?"
- "Why do you want references?"
- "Do I have to dress for the next interview?"
- "I know this is off the subject, but will you marry me?"
- "Will the company move my rock collection from California to Maryland?"
- "Will the company pay to relocate my horse?"
- "Does your health insurance cover pets?"
- "Would it be a problem if I'm angry most of the time?"
- "Does your company have a policy regarding concealed weapons?"
MG Moore is an HR consultant in Dallas, Texas. She has more than 20 years in the areas of recruiting on both the corporate and agency side. With her expertise in recruiting, organizational development, and change management, she has the experience that corporations need in today's changing world. As an award winning instructional designer, she has developed more than 100 courses. Ms Moore holds a graduate degree from the University of Texas and is a published author.
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