5 Ways to Bomb the Interview

How many of us have ever bombed an interview? I mean an atomic bomb. Meaning after the interview you walk out knowing you just blew that opportunity. Here is my list of "5 Ways to Bomb The Interview".

1. Arriving late

First impressions are everything! You should map quest directions to make sure you arrive 15 to 20 minutes early and always take traffic into consideration.

2. Dressing unprofessional

It's always safe to dress your best. Each company may have different dress codes. I recommend researching their dress codes prior to the interview. During your research you may discover a very casual dress code, however you will dress more professional for your interview. Make sure to take a good look in the mirror at yourself before you leave for the interview.

3. Being unprepared and making up answers

If you tell one lie you must tell another. Before you know it, you have fabricated your entire interview. Experienced interviewers will be able to recognize this. Remember that all of your experiences are meaningful, so there is no need to lie. It's important to review the company website, job description and your resume. You should also make sure your answers are relevant to the questions. Try practice interviewing with family, friends or email M4J@meet4jobs.com to meet with a career coach.

4. Providing general answers

When you discuss your qualifications make sure to give brief examples to prove it. If you mention that you are fast learner, you must provide an example of how you learn fast and what was the outcome. Discuss a work experience that demonstrates your fast learning.

5. Disclosing personal information

There is no need to provide personal information during the interview. You are interviewing to discuss your professional qualifications. Questions about age, race, marital status, and sexual orientation are illegal, therefore you no need to provide that information. Only provide information about your professional experience.

For some of us interviews can be stressful and nerve racking. Stress and nerves derive from thinking about what's on the line. You may feel the pressure to land this new job for various reasons. You must not allow these reasons to prevent you from showing off your value to an employer. Prepare in advance with company research and practice your interview skills.  Remember, your resume has secured this interview. Its your time to shine, demonstrating your problems solving skills and accomplishments

Someone owes me a job!

You have just graduated! Congratulations! You have been able to maintain outstanding grades while completing your degree, certification or training. You deserve to celebrate your accomplishments that have demonstrated your commitment, sacrifice and perseverance. After all you have proven to yourself, you must be thinking “Someone owes job?

Unfortunately, I am here to inform you that no one owes you a job, regardless of your education, training and experience. As a Career and Academic Strategist, I want to urge you not to allow your accomplishments to evolve into a mindset of entitlement.

The current job market is far too competitive for an attitude of entitlement. My view comes from years of discussions with recently graduated job seekers expressing their frustration during the job search. Here are some of the most common quotes I hear from recent grads:

• My parents told me there would be a great paying job waiting for me after graduation

• “I was told if I return to school, I was guaranteed a high paying job”

• “If I attended one of the best colleges in the state, why should I have to work so hard to secure a job?”

• “I even have my master’s degree and no one has given me a job yet”

  With the continuing rise of tuition, I see no harm with expectations of return on your investment, however your job search is included in this investment. Feelings of entitlement can encourage average effort during the job search. The job search process can be long, accompanied by many discouraging moments. I often recommend job seekers evaluate their job search strategies by asking themselves the following questions.

• Do I have an outcome-based resume with quantitative data including the technology I leveraged for my accomplishments?

• Am I attending and engaging at in person or virtual job fairs?

• Is my LinkedIn updated and am I spending engaging quality time on the platform?

• Have I tapped into all my networks?

• Am I utilizing my institution’s Career office or Career Coaching?

The investment for your career must continue. You are not entitled to a job. You are entitled to promoting yourself with pride and confidence until you have several offers to decide upon. Now let’s adjust our mindset and become more resourceful in earning your job after graduation. This mindset adjustment is not to lower your expectations, but to increase your efforts. Best of luck on your search with securing the job you earned and deserve.