Have you been looking for a job for too long? If you’re not getting any offers after interviews, it’s probably time to evaluate how you could have done better.
If you can’t get an honest answer from HR staff or hiring managers about what went wrong, here are some mistakes you may want to avoid:
1. Mistaking friendliness with friendship.
Since applicants are usually nervous when answering questions, interviewers may make it easier for them by speaking in a friendly, conversational tone to show a degree of empathy.
However, as you get more comfortable, you may share more information about your past and personality, which is unnecessary. Don’t allow yourself to become too relaxed and end up bad-mouthing your former colleague, boss or superior, or communicating with coarse language that will lead to rejection.
Focus on creating a real connection with the interviewer instead, and maintain your professional demeanor throughout the interview.
2. Not understanding what the question is about.
If you are asked something that is stated in your resume, you may think that the hiring manager hasn’t paid attention to your file.
If you’re asked an obvious question, you are just being tested to determine how good your communication skills are. Don’t take questions like these the wrong way. In your interview prep, practice expanding the information on your resume so that interviewers can see how good you are at backing up the information you presented in your application.
3. Applying for jobs that don’t fit your expertise.
Sometimes, you may want to apply for a new job that is out of your field of expertise. When this happens, it’s easy to get excited and think you can do great work, even if you don’t have experience.
Sure, you could eventually learn about the job and deliver good results. But keep in mind that you will be up against hundreds of applicants that may have been in that field for years. If you want to make your job search easier, it’s best to look for jobs where you can really excel.