Job Interview: 7 Reasons for Failure
16 January 2014
Read by 4043 persons
You haven't been called for a first or second job interview? The website Careerealism.com offers an analysis of the main causes of this failure.
It's normal to wonder why you weren't called for a job interview or why the interview wasn't followed by a second one for a position you thought you had a good chance of getting. Of course, it's best to ask the recruiter what happened, but it's best to do so after doing the self-analysis that follows, reports an article from the Careerealism.com website, the main points of which we are reproducing*.
1 - I didn't follow up
Whatever stage of the job search process you are in, it is imperative to follow up with the recruiter. To do this, indicate in your cover letter that you will contact them by phone in a week. Then, it is relevant to call back every week for 2-3 weeks. You can send an email, make a phone call, or even write a short thank-you letter. A follow-up can make the difference rather than just being one more resume on the pile.
2 - I didn't sell myself
When you entered the office where the interview took place, did you show that you were desperately looking for a job? Recruiters can tell if you are not sufficiently motivated by their offer, in which case they will ask you questions accordingly. You must be prepared to answer, regardless of your short-term and long-term goals, how you can contribute to the company and why your past experience makes you a candidate of choice. You also know how to identify all your weaknesses or any lack of experience and talk about them transparently. You will take care to explain to the recruiter why there is no need to worry about it.
3 - The position was filled by an internal referral
This is a bit of a rule; it's reassuring for the recruiter to choose someone who has been referred. At the same time, it's not your skills or your application that are at fault. It's not your fault, even if it's frustrating.
4 - You didn't show passion or interest
Did you ask questions about the company? Did you do the appropriate research and identify the value you could bring to the organization? Did you talk about it? Even though looking for a job can be a long and frustrating process, you must constantly show interest in the company and the position in order to position yourself as an ideal candidate.
5 - You seemed not to have listened
As a candidate, not being able to focus and answering off-topic is prohibitive; it reveals that you didn't listen properly. Be fully focused on all aspects of your search, and more specifically during the interview.
6 - You have no stories to tell
If the recruiter asks you to discuss specific situations you have had to deal with, or mistakes you have made and for which you have found relevant solutions, you must have a few concrete examples in mind to submit to them. Make a list of these anecdotes drawn from your training and past experience. 3 - The position was filled by an internal referral
This is a bit of a rule; it's reassuring for the recruiter to choose someone who has been referred. At the same time, it's not your skills or your application that are at fault. It's not your fault, even if it's frustrating.
7 - You lacked naturalness
Smile. Relax. Take a deep breath. This seems easy, but many people show their inability to do so when it comes to a high-stakes interview. A recruiter wants to get to know you, the real you. While it is necessary that you remain professional, this is no reason to be afraid to behave naturally; it can only make you credible.
Cadre-dirigeant-magazine.com
Published January 13, 2014.
Posted online January 16, 2014.
It's normal to wonder why you weren't called for a job interview or why the interview wasn't followed by a second one for a position you thought you had a good chance of getting. Of course, it's best to ask the recruiter what happened, but it's best to do so after doing the self-analysis that follows, reports an article from the Careerealism.com website, the main points of which we are reproducing*.
1 - I didn't follow up
Whatever stage of the job search process you are in, it is imperative to follow up with the recruiter. To do this, indicate in your cover letter that you will contact them by phone in a week. Then, it is relevant to call back every week for 2-3 weeks. You can send an email, make a phone call, or even write a short thank-you letter. A follow-up can make the difference rather than just being one more resume on the pile.
2 - I didn't sell myself
When you entered the office where the interview took place, did you show that you were desperately looking for a job? Recruiters can tell if you are not sufficiently motivated by their offer, in which case they will ask you questions accordingly. You must be prepared to answer, regardless of your short-term and long-term goals, how you can contribute to the company and why your past experience makes you a candidate of choice. You also know how to identify all your weaknesses or any lack of experience and talk about them transparently. You will take care to explain to the recruiter why there is no need to worry about it.
3 - The position was filled by an internal referral
This is a bit of a rule; it's reassuring for the recruiter to choose someone who has been referred. At the same time, it's not your skills or your application that are at fault. It's not your fault, even if it's frustrating.
4 - You didn't show passion or interest
Did you ask questions about the company? Did you do the appropriate research and identify the value you could bring to the organization? Did you talk about it? Even though looking for a job can be a long and frustrating process, you must constantly show interest in the company and the position in order to position yourself as an ideal candidate.
5 - You seemed not to have listened
As a candidate, not being able to focus and answering off-topic is prohibitive; it reveals that you didn't listen properly. Be fully focused on all aspects of your search, and more specifically during the interview.
6 - You have no stories to tell
If the recruiter asks you to discuss specific situations you have had to deal with, or mistakes you have made and for which you have found relevant solutions, you must have a few concrete examples in mind to submit to them. Make a list of these anecdotes drawn from your training and past experience. 3 - The position was filled by an internal referral
This is a bit of a rule; it's reassuring for the recruiter to choose someone who has been referred. At the same time, it's not your skills or your application that are at fault. It's not your fault, even if it's frustrating.
7 - You lacked naturalness
Smile. Relax. Take a deep breath. This seems easy, but many people show their inability to do so when it comes to a high-stakes interview. A recruiter wants to get to know you, the real you. While it is necessary that you remain professional, this is no reason to be afraid to behave naturally; it can only make you credible.
Cadre-dirigeant-magazine.com
Published January 13, 2014.
Posted online January 16, 2014.
