Five Helpful Hints When Interviewing
Recently at work I have had the pleasure, or dare I say nightmare, of handling some résumé screening and interviewing of potential employees. At first I thought this was really interesting. I got to see how people tried to sell themselves through their résumé and how they carried themselves while interviewing. As I interviewed more and more people, it grew frustrating. How could so many people lack some basic concepts that would help them get the job?
So I thought I would go ahead and throw up some helpful tips for people. These might seem like common sense to some people, but in my experience I’m finding out they are not.
1. Don’t just answer “YES” or “NO” to any question.
You would think this is obvious. If someone asks you a question they would like you to expand on your answer. Go into more details on the subject. This is a good time to show off your knowledge or understanding of the subject referenced in the question.
2. It is better to say you don’t know than to make up an answer that is completely wrong
Trying to act like you know it all isn’t really the point of an interview. Everyone has things they don’t know or things they could learn more about. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”. Showing a little honesty also shows your character, which many times is just as important as your skills.
 3. Don’t talk bad about your current job
Try to refrain from complaining about your current job. The interviewer is not your best friend. Most of the time it just looks petty when you complain about your current job. It is better to just highlight what you like about your current job and then discuss what drew you to the position you are interviewing for.
4. Know the position you are applying for
I’m not sure if this is partly the fault of recruiters or not, but you should really know the position you are applying for. It is such a let down to hear someone say. “Could you tell me the position this interview is for”. Really? Didn’t you apply for this position?
5. Give examples that you have done
When you are trying to talk about your skill sets, try to use examples that you have from a job experience. Although it is nice to know you read up and keep learning, if you don’t have any hands on experience with the skills someone is looking for, it could seem you are wanting to learn on the job.
