No matter how many job interviews you’ve been on, or how well you think on your feet, most people are rarely as prepared as they should be.
In fact, as the CEO of a recruiting firm, I’ve spent decades interviewing candidates, and I’ve seen even the most experienced candidates — with the most impressive resumes — make rookie mistakes that can easily destroy a first impression.
Here are five obvious things too many people forget to do before the big job interview:
- You have an interview coming up.
- Have the location noted… Check.
- Researched the company… Check.
- Researched the contacts and department where I will be working… Did that.
- Suit ready to go.
- Printed resumes to bring.
- Studied interview questions and practiced my answers… Check.
- Made sure I have stories for my resume bullets and know my resume inside and out…Check and check…
- At this point, most people feel fully ready for the interview by covering these basic tenets of interviewing.
- On the interview, you feel like you are sailing through the interview questions.
- Loving the fact that the conversation feels fluid and natural.
- Asking good questions and answering qualitatively.
- You are in the interview zone… But…..
Here is where most people forget the two last items that potential employers are evaluating during an interview:
- It is not just what you say… What also matters is how you say it. (Communication delivery).
- It is not just what you do… What also matters is what you choose to do. (Judgement).
- This is advanced interviewing….
- Will you leave the interviewer wondering why you chose that particular story to showcase your latest sales win?
- Will the interviewer wonder why you decided to speak about your boss in that manner, even if you thought it was diplomatic enough?
- Will you leave a confident impression with your posture and speaking demeanor?
- Does your communication style give off the vibe you want?
- You can have the edge, Now that you know the hidden gems a recruiter is looking for in a candidate.
Pick the Right Clothes and Do a ‘Mirror Check’
Don’t procrastinate on this: Plan your outfit ahead of time. Try it on. Make sure it’s clean, pressed and still fits.
Not every job interviewing requires professional attire, but you still should present yourself as well-groomed and put together. When in doubt, ask people in your network who currently, or used to, work at the company about what’s considered appropriate. Sometimes the person arranging the interview will tell you.
The day of the interview, do a “mirror check” before you leave. Anything stuck in your teeth? Breath fresh? Hair combed? Shoes polished?
On the way to the interview, don’t buy or bring anything that could spill on you. Just ask the guy who flew from Chicago to New York the morning of his interview. He ordered tomato juice; there was turbulence. You get the picture.
Gary Burnison is a best-selling author and the CEO of Korn Ferry, the world’s largest global organizational consulting firm. His books include “Leadership U: Accelerating through the Crisis Curve,” “Advance: The Ultimate How-to Guide for your Career,” and “Lose the Resume, Land the Job.” Follow Gary on LinkedIn.
