Job Interview: Mistakes to Avoid

1. Thank-You Note

Sending a thank-you note to the hiring manager after a job interview is not only a kind thing to do but also a job search best practice. However, what you write in your thank-you note can significantly impact your chances of moving on in the hiring process. If you make common thank-you note mistakes the hiring manager might not consider you for the job.

And there is one job interview thank-you note mistake that you should avoid at all costs: The number one mistake that people make when writing a thank-you note is recapping everything they talked about in the interview and trying to resell themselves to the hiring manager.

In your ‘thank you’ note, you do not write an epic novel. You don’t tell them why you think you’re the best candidate for the job. And you don’t mention something you forgot to talk about in the job interview.

[While the pressure of doing well at the job interview may now be over, there’s still work to be done. Following each job interview, always send a thank-you note. Not sending one can cost you. But at the same time, sending one that you don’t put much thought into can backfire as well.]

While the follow-up thank you note is not the defining factor in whether you will get the job, if written effectively, it does help maintain your standing as an impressive candidate for the job.

There are plenty of tips on how to write a good follow-up thank-you note. Here, we’ll focus on signs your thank you note isn’t ready to be sent to a potential employer—yet!]

A thank-you note is to do one thing: give thanks.

Here’s the simple thank-you note formula you should use after every job interview:

Dear [hiring manager’s name],

Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak with you about the XYZ position. I really enjoyed talking with you about [something you specifically talked about]. If there’s anything else I can provide to further my candidacy, please let me know because I would love to work with you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

That’s it. Three sentences.

2. Not researching the company before the interview

As they say, “Knowing is half the battle.” The same applies to a job interview. Knowing the company’s mission and core values, knowing how market trends are affecting the company, and knowing who exactly the company’s competitors are all important hacks that will impress the employer during your interview.

The importance of core values is illustrated by a quote from famous author and inventor, Edward de Bono: “Effectiveness without values is a tool without a purpose.”

This analogy really hits home. A purposeless tool is a worthless thing and so is a company without a campus—a culture that is formed based on core principles.

What Are the Core Values Of An Organisation?

Core values serve to constantly guide both the employee and the company in achieving their mutual goals, in a manner that is based on an ethical and ideological framework. Every business is different, and so are its core values. There are some principles that are alike for all, even though they may be phrased differently.

Here are the universal four such core values every organization should have:

What Are The 4 Core Values of An Organisation? The four core values of an organization are integrity and ethics, respect, innovation (not imitation) and drive.

Another key trick is to find out who is interviewing you and research that person on LinkedIn to know his/her career path and story.

In the job interview, don’t be afraid to ask how your interviewer got to where they are today. Show interest. Be curious. Walk into the job interview with as much information under your belt as possible, and you’ll be surprised by how much easier it is to answer questions—and ask them, too. Not researching the company will in most cases (if not all) strikes you out of the recruitment process.

Interview questions are not as straightforward as they seem and answering just one question incorrectly may put you out of the running for a job.

The takeaway? Be ready to read between the lines.

Here are seven of the most common interview questions and how you should respond:

1. “Tell me about yourself.”
2. “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
3. “What’s your greatest weakness?”
4. “What motivates you to perform?”
5. “Tell me about a time that you failed.”
6. “Why do you want to work here?”
7. “What do you enjoy the most (and least) about your current role?”

How to respond?

• Do not be impulsive
• Take a pause before answering
• Respond by stating your key points
• Tell the interviewer something unique about yourself

[Tip: Listen carefully to your interviewer. It does not matter if you get the job or not, an interviewer is giving you an opportunity for professional growth and therefore deserves respect].