Most job seekers have a case of the jitters before going on a job interview. Anxiety’s normal, but almost always those butterflies were in your tummy for nothing. The interview goes well, you don’t make any serious mistakes and you exhale the moment you walk out of the room.Sometimes, however, the interview goes terribly wrong. We’re not talking about little mistakes, like spilling coffee on your shirt while you’re in the waiting room. No, we’re talking about the odd behavior that 99 percent of us wouldn’t commit. Hiring managers have given us some examples of the worst missteps they’ve seen in interviews, and we’ve compiled the best.

Here are eight interview faux pas that hiring managers have witnessed and that you should avoid if you want to get hired

1. Bad manners
“A cell phone goes off — which you should just apologize for and turn off promptly, but I’ve had candidates look at the number, which really ticks off an interviewer.” - Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio, co-founder of SixFigureStart Career Coaching

“[The candidate asks,] ‘When can I start?’ Presumptuous and inappropriate.” - Will Robinson, co-founder of VirtualJobCoach

“‘Do you have something to eat? I am hungry.’” – Robinson

“One candidate opened his briefcase and started snacking on crackers while interviewing.” - Kent Johnson, partner with Da Vinci Search

2. Being weird
“Strangest thing ever — a [University of Chicago] MBA student was doing very well during an interview, when a tape recorder spilled out of his briefcase. Very, very odd. He would have gotten a call back for a second round, but not after we saw that tape recorder.  We still don’t know what that was about! But we stayed away — big time!” - Thanasoulis-Cerrachio

“I’ve heard some interesting ones, but the most bizarre was a prospective hire asking me if I was Jewish. Any religion would have been weird to inquire about in that situation … maybe she was trying to form a bond?” - Justin Seibert, president of Direct Online Marketing

3. Giving a bad reason for wanting the job
“One answer to a question about why the applicant was looking to change jobs left me speechless. The candidate, a 20-something with about five years of work experience, said, ‘Well, I’ve been twiddling my thumbs for six months.’” - Dana Byrne, manager of talent acquisition and professional development at RMJM

4. Letting nervous tics control you

“You shouldn’t repeat a phrase over and over again. I had one candidate say, ‘There it is’ at the end of about seven or eight responses. Very annoying and not impressive.” - Thanasoulis-Cerrachio

“Nervous leg bouncing syndrome: I once had a candidate who rocked her leg so much that she was physically moving during the interview. We ended up hiring her, which was a huge mistake — one of the worst hires ever.” - Thanasoulis-Cerrachio

5. Too Much Information
“I once had a candidate tell me her last boss was a drug addict and did cocaine regularly. Talk about inappropriate disclosure. I am sure there was a much more tactful way to talk about why she left the job.” - Raquel Garcia, president of Silicon Valley Human Resources

“[One candidate said,] ‘I’m a little worried about the background checks. Do you guys do background checks? Because my credit is terrible. I’m trying to get it fixed, but the credit agencies are a joke.’” - Brett Coin, vice president of business development for Resume Donkey

“In response to, ‘We’d like to offer you this job. When can you start?’ [the job seeker] replied, ‘I don’t know what to say. I’ve been through 16 interviews and no one has offered me a job.’ This came from the mouth of my junior designer, who was referred to us by one of our clients. Tip: Be ready to accept a job. Like the Oscars, you might want to practice your speech. Not every employer is as forgiving as we are.” - Nance Rosen, CEO of Pegasus Media World

“[I was asked,] ‘What is your drug-testing policy?’” - Robinson

6. Poor presentation
“Another candidate wore a skimpy sequin dress and fedora hat to an interview claiming she just came from a photo shoot. We all guessed it was a bit more of an X-rated photo opp.” - Johnson

“Candidate: Hi, I’m [so-and-so]” (leans in toward us).
Recruiter: (leans ever so slightly away to minimize the odor).” - Mary H. Roome-Godbolt, HR recruiter for Cox Communications Northern Virginia

“I once had a recent graduate who looked fantastic on paper, but showed up wearing  flip-flops. During the interview, he would lean back in his chair, flex his hands over his head and he even said several curse words in his responses. It was so bad I e-mailed him afterwards to point out his most obvious blunders!” - Nickie Doria, marketing director for Emmer Development Corp.

“One huge pet peeve is when an applicant comes in smelling like a  smokestack! It is a free country … but that is no reason to come in reeking of smoke. People get nervous and might want to puff a quick cigarette before the interview, which is understandable, but when they arrive smelling like smoke, it is a real  turnoff.” - Doria

7. Coming unprepared
“I happen to be hiring right now. One line that is a definite door-closer, that I have surprisingly heard several times: ‘No, I haven’t really had time to look at your Web site yet’ or words to that effect. How interested should I be in a candidate with such a low level of interest in and knowledge about our company?” - Alexander Seinfeld, executive director at Jewish Spiritual Literacy Inc.

“In response to the interview question, ‘So what do you want to do next?’ The worst answer of all is to say, ‘I’m totally open … I’ll do anything,’ or ‘I’m completely flexible … I can go wherever the company’s greatest needs are.’ This answer leaves the hiring manager with the burden of figuring out where the candidate belongs in the organization, and no hiring manager has the time or energy to do that kind of work. And with the economy the way it is today, candidates are feeling the need to be flexible and keep their options open, and I am hearing from hiring managers [frustrated] over this kind of answer.” - Jeanne Knight, career and job search coach

8. Forgetting to clean up digital dirt
“Of course, for those who are MySpace and Facebook junkies, make sure your pages are set to the private setting. We actually had a girl apply for a leasing position with one of our companies, and she did very well during the interview. Later, the manager wanted to learn more about her, and found that her MySpace name was … well somewhat promiscuous at best! Needless to say, she never even got a call back! - Doria

Regardless of how the interview went, or whether or not you are still interested in the position, sending a thank you note is essential.  It’s surprising how many candidates forget to follow up properly after an interview, as most jobseekers focus all their energy on the interview. In fact, the follow up is what often distinguishes one candidate apart from the others.  In the final stages of the recruiting process there are usually several top candidates, each with different strengths and weaknesses.  Interviewers see many candidates and have a tough decision to make so here are a few things you can do to set yourself apart from the others:

    * Ask for your interviewer`s business card at the end of an interview so you have their contact information to follow up
    * Ask about the timing for the hiring process to get an understanding of the timeline and what to expect
    * Decide what format your thank you note should be in: email vs. snail mail and send it as soon as possible, no later than 24 hours.  A thank you note adds value to your candidacy while giving you another chance to show your enthusiasm and reiterate why you`re a good fit.
    * It is ok to follow up with a phone call within a week or two to ask about the position, but be sure to assess the situation first, depending on the employer`s timeline - be careful here, as it`s good to follow up, but not too much

You can create a powerful thank you note by keeping it simple and short.  There are 3 main components:

   1. Thank you
   2. Recap the conversation, clarify information if necessary and address any concerns about your qualifications that came up during the interview
   3. Restate your expertise and why you are a good fit, show your enthusiasm (I am a good fit because xyz and my past experience in xyz)

Don`t forget to alert your references so they are informed and ready should they receive a call about you.  And finally, be patient, as the hiring process can take longer than expected.

 Performing well during the job interview is one of the most important steps in the hiring process. Every candidate wants to impress a prospective employer, but, despite his or her best efforts, not all do. Often, a simple mistake can cause an applicant to blow the entire meeting. Here are some errors to avoid:1. Arriving late
Getting to an interview on time or, for that matter, a few minutes early is an easy way to impress a prospective employer. Arriving late is not only unprofessional, it also shows the hiring manager that you have little regard for his or her schedule. It also calls into question your ability to show up to work on time, one of the most basic aspects of any job. Plus, arriving late could cause you to miss the meeting altogether if the interviewer has another appointment.

2. Being rude to the receptionist or assistant
Some candidates don’t think it matters if they’re dismissive of the hiring manager’s assistant when arranging the interview or get upset at the receptionist because he or she mispronounced their name by mistake. After all, this person isn’t the one making the hiring decision. But you may be surprised to learn that six out of 10 executives polled by Robert Half said they consider their assistant’s opinion important when evaluating potential new hires. So remember to be polite and respectful to everyone you interact with during the hiring process.

3. Acting like you’re the only person there
Consider this scenario: After you’ve checked in for the interview, you make a quick phone call to give your friend a blow-by-blow description of last night’s party, speaking so loudly that everyone in the office can’t help but hear you. That’s the wrong approach. It’s better to sit patiently and peruse any company literature in the lobby. Doing so demonstrates common courtesy and can help you learn more about the firm and its needs.

4. Going into the interview unprepared
Far too many candidates fail to properly prepare for the interview, believing that they can “wing it” and still make a strong impression. The savviest job seekers spend time considering questions the hiring manager will likely ask, so they can answer confidently during the meeting. They also research the employer ahead of time so they can explain how their skills match the open position, and also highlight their true interest in the company and position.

5. Appearing arrogant
Confidence is key for any applicant to possess, but taking it too far is sure to make you stand out — for the wrong reasons. Boasting about your abilities (”I was the best worker my previous employer had ever had!”) is a good way to appear arrogant and come across as someone who may have difficulty collaborating with others.

6. Not asking questions
As the interview winds down, the hiring manager will likely ask if you have any questions. Your answer should be yes. But your questions should go beyond “How much does the position pay?” and “How many days of vacation can I expect?” Although compensation and benefits are important components of any job, broach these subjects only if the prospective employer has expressed serious interest in hiring you — usually not until the second or third interview. More appropriate questions for a first interview include “What will my specific duties be?” “What are your top priorities for this position?” and “What does a typical day in this position look like?”

7. Not following up
Even if you feel you aced the interview, it’s not a good idea to simply sit back and wait for the hiring manager to call with an offer. Sending the hiring manager a brief note after the interview allows you to thank him or her for meeting with you, and can emphasize your interest in the position.   

Robert Half International Inc. is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.

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Questions about salary history and expectations often elicit feelings of anxiety, particularly when times are tough in the job market. Many who have been unemployed for several months worry their power to negotiate has diminished. Others know they are overqualified for the positions they seek and fear their salary history will screen them out of consideration.

Fortunately, there are ways to sidestep these obstacles and enhance a job offer — even in this economy, says Laurence Shatkin, a leading occupational expert and author of the recently released book “Your $100,000 Career Plan.” He stresses that the most important thing to remember about salary questions is to delay discussing them until after a job offer has been made.

“Employers often ask for your salary expectations or salary history very early, perhaps even as part of the job application form or letter. This makes it easy for them to screen out a large number of applicants who don’t match the salary figure they have in mind. Don’t screen yourself out by giving this information,” Shatkin warns.

In his book, Shatkin provides a framework for answering such questions and outlines steps that will better prepare candidates to launch negotiations. His tips include the following:

Before an interview
· If there’s a blank on the job application demanding a figure, write “Negotiable.”
· If the employer refuses to interview you unless you indicate your salary expectations, give only a ballpark estimate and make clear that you expect both parties will be flexible as you learn more about each other.

During an interview
· When asked about your salary expectations, shift the conversation back to your qualifications. For example, you might want to respond, “I’m sure you pay your employees fairly, and I expect you to pay me a fair wage for a person with my background. So let’s discuss my background and what I can do for your business.”
· If you think you must specify your expectations, give a broad range based on research rather than on wishful thinking.
· Inquire about how much competition you’re facing. If you’re the only job candidate remaining, you’ll be able to negotiate from a stronger position.
· Use every opportunity to explain how you can improve the organization’s bottom line, because that is what justifies better pay.

After a job offer
· If the offer is more than you expected, congratulations! But you may get an even better one if you don’t jump at the first offer. Pause long enough to give the employer the impression you may be expecting more. You may even ask for time to think over the offer.
· If another employer has made a better offer, that’s the most powerful argument you can use.
· If you have no other offers, but your research tells you the going rate is higher than what the employer is offering, say so. Keep in mind that the employer probably has also researched the employment market, so be sure you have good sources to point to.
· If the employer won’t raise the offer enough to suit your expectations, ask the employer to agree to review your salary sooner than normal.
· Employers who won’t budge on salary offers sometimes are willing to make concessions on benefits or perks that you want. Maybe you can get stock options, extra vacation, use of a company car or the ability to work at home part of the week. Sometimes you can argue that you both will gain from the benefit; for example, if the company pays your tuition expenses for night classes, it will profit from your improved skills.
· You may also be able to get concessions on certain work responsibilities you either want or want to avoid. For example, you might ask to be given a managerial task that’s not normally part of the job, and this eventually could lead to a higher-paying position. Any tasks you ask to avoid should be lower-level so that ruling them out would not interfere with your growth in the job.
· If possible, do all your negotiations face-to-face, rather than by telephone, because you can gauge people’s reactions better in person. Sometimes, candidates will say and do everything right during the interview process and during negotiations and still won’t achieve the job offer they were seeking. In these instances, Shatkin suggests telling the employer, “that the job is one you would like if the salary were appropriate, and thank them for their time and consideration. It is possible that they will not find someone else to fill the position and will reconsider hiring you at the salary you asked for.”

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In life, with everything thing you start, you will start as a beginner. After practice you can improve you skill and become better. When you first learn to ski you do not go to the biggest mountain and the most dangerous slope your first trip down. When you first learned to read you did not try to read the epic novel, War and Peace. You need practice before you get to the meat of things. Interviews are no different.

The Value Of Mock Interviews

Doing a mock interview is a great way to practice your interview skills. It gives you the real feel of an interview with real interview questions. Most people doing the interview were recruiters at one point so they know exactly what they are doing. Interviews allow you to practice collecting yourself with tough interview questions. They give you a change to practice, and make improvements to prepare for a real employment one. Your mock interviewer will also give you valuable critique to really get the full benefit of the interview.

Get All The Bad Interviews Out Here

There is a chance that your first couple interviews will not be the greatest, but in this simulated environment you want to get all the mistakes out here. You want to arrive to the employment interview sharp and confident. I am living testament to having bad interviews before good ones. I had two mock interviews. The first one I did pretty bad. The second one I did terribly. But that was okay because they were just practice.  After those two interviews I had a series of 7 employment interviews which I did much better. I had no problems whatsoever. Each interview got easier and easier. The end result I got the summer job.

Use the tools we have here at Fox School of Business. Mock Interviews are a great way to prepare. Just like you study to perform well on an exam, or you join toastmasters to improve your speech. Mock interviews are your way to practice. It will pay off! See the CSPD office to take advantage of these opportunities.

The Final Round
Many employers will utilize a “super day” or a full day of interviews for their internship and full time job recruitment.  It is important to be prepared for these events because they are very different than a regular one-on-one interview.  Harish Pathak, a senior econ major, just had the opportunity to experience one of these “super days” and wanted to share his experiences with YOU!  Read closely…because he got the job!

 

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  So you made it through the career fair, then the phone interview, and now you landed your first major interview.  But you soon realize that this isn’t your ordinary interview, it’s a whole day event with multiple interviews, group discussions with other candidates, and most scary, lunch with your potential employer!  Nervousness is the first reaction but with preparation you can tackle it.

Pre-Interview

• Know precisely how to get to the interview location and how long it will take you to get there.  A navigation system saves the hassle of dealing with maps.  If you know the route might have traffic you should think about going by train.
• Know what you are going to wear in advance.  Press it the night before to save time.
• It might seem redundant at this point, but know everything possible about your potential employer.  There are numerous sites but there is nothing more effective than good ol’ google.com.  Every company has well known attributes that set them apart and you should know these by heart.  Not only should you know their strengths but more importantly their weaknesses in the market place.  Fortune, Business Week, and Wall Street Journal all have the latest imformation about the company you are interviewing for.  An interview should be treated just like any other midterm; you need to study for it!
• Talk to your professors!  They know their stuff!  Most professors will be mor than happy to prep students before interviews.  In addition to that, network with previous hires.  They will be experienced in the interviewing process, so they can tell you what to expect.
• Keep ahead of the daily news and sports.  When you are not being interviewed, you will be waiting with representatives of the company or other interviewees.  Awkward silence is…well…awkward.  Make sure you have something to talk about and remember to leave topics like elections or such for your political science class.

Interview

• Take a look at the resume that you submitted.  You should know exactly what is on it and what is not on it.  Any talking points you have regarding education or activities should be on that resume.  “I forgot to put that on my resume” seems unprepared.
• Sleep! I cannot overemphasize this enough.  So you “studied” for your interview but can your brain retain all that informaitonw ith 4 hours of sleep?  No, it cant.  Interivews are like a tennis match, where conversation points are a tennis ball bouncing from side (interviewer) to side (interviewee).  If you are mentally lethargic you might hit that ball out of bounds, on the net, or even worse whiff (uhh….ummmmm….what was the question?).  Whiffing is not only bad, but it’s embarassing and shows that you have poor listening comprehension.
• Be personable.  Your interview can be conducted with other potential hires.  You might see them as your competition but they also might be your potential co-worker so keep that in mind before you try to show off.
• Do you sometimes have food on your face or hair after you eat?  Do you eat that piece of food when you realize that it is there?  If you answered yes, you might want to learn some basic dining etiquette.  Interview breakfast/lunch/dinners are merely a check to see if you can conduct yourself eating in a business setting.  You think you might know all the etiquette there is, but sometimes the basics are forgotten.  A lunch during an interview day is not “Old Country Buffet” where you are encouraged to stuff your face.  Conversation is an important part of the meal, not your roast beef sandwich, so concentrate on those around you.

 After the Interview

• Send your Thank You Letters and make sure they are not the generic “Thank you for the opportunity to blah blah blah…” A thank you letter should reflect what you learned at your interview to show that you are a good listener and that you were engaged during the day.
• Highly organized companies will let you know the specific waiting period before they give a response so dont bother them too much.  However, some companies are not as specific (or organized!) thus a follow-up call or email might be a good idea.
• After all of this, you can relax and wait, and hope for the best!

You should all get to know the faculty and staff of your major. Some of the people you meet could be instrumental to your success. Get to know your professors as well as any administrative staff. Here are a few reasons.

1. Companies have connections with departments of interest.
   Many times companies have a contact with the department who may propose a great networking opportunity for you. So when companies are recruiting the best and brightest students, the department can put you in for it.
2. The faculty can be more helpful to you.
   By making closer ties they may be more accommodating to your needs because they know you. Good friends help each other and it could be the same way in the department of your major. Things that they normally do not do for students may become more of a possibility.
3. They may see your potential.
   Communicating with your professor and staff will give them the best judgment of who you really are. Be bold, exceptional and talk to them about something you found that is related to your major. Have discussions about latest trends. These people could see that you are a bright student and could potentially be a reference for a lifetime.

Get to know the department members of your major. Good things can come out of it. You will always hear that networking is key and this untapped resource is a great place to network.

Follow Up Letters (aka Thank You Letters)  are key to a successful interview. I found an article reviewing the guidelines of writing a followup letter from About.com.

Since less than 10% of interviewees ever follow-up with a thank you letter, doing so can help you stand out from the crowd. Here are some tips for writing your thank you letters, as well as links to examples of thank you letters to use as a guide.

How To Write A Thank You Letter

You should plan to send a thank you letter within 24 hours of your interview. While some professions would expect a mailed hard copy, in the technology industry, emailed thank you letters are considered the norm.

When you write your thank you letters, use these guidelines while writing:

• Express Your Enthusiasm: Convey your interest in and enthusiasm for the company and the position for which you interviewed. Try to be specific about why you are interested and how you are a good fit for the team.
• Address Unresolved Points: Address any issues or questions that came up during the interview that you feel you did not fully answer. This letter is your last chance to make a positive impression on the interviewer.
• Personalize It:You will likely be one of many interviewees, so you need to set yourself apart from the other candidates so they will remember you when you leave. In your letter, highlight a key point from your interview that you believe the interviewer will remember, and therefore remember you. Additionally, if you meet with more than one person, consider sending them all thank you letters, each one a bit different; you may not know exactly who in the group will be making the decisions. Getting a business card from each interviewer will help you with names and titles when you sit down to write your thank yous.
• Reiterate Your Expertise: If the company communicated its specific needs, issues or challenges, use your thank-you letter to demonstrate how you can meet those needs.
• Highlight Your Successes: Similarly, if the company communicated its ideal qualifications for a candidate, use your thank-you letter to outline how you meet or exceed those qualifications.
• Proofread, and then Proofread again: Make sure your thank you letter conveys a professional image by ensuring it is free of typos and grammatical errors.

cited: http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/resumesandletters/a/thankyous.htm

Be genuine when composing a follow up letter, especially when dealing with recruiters. Some recruiters may get several follow up letters from many other candidates so you want to stand out.

Sometimes you can use follow up letters to clarify things in your interview. I had an interview that went bad because I was so nervous. But I used the follow up letter to make up for my mistakes. I mentioned that had I not been so nervous you may have seen how much of a hard worker I am. The good news is it worked, and I got another interview that went 100% better. Being genuine is important.

Good Luck!

Spring Connection is over and hopefully some of you made some valuable connections, or better yet uncovered an opportunity for an interview. Many think your resume solely will get you the job, but that is a huge misconception.

Be Prepared!

Make sure you are well prepared. You should know the company,  know why you want the job, know your goals, and most important know yourself. You should have examples of previous group projects and any other collaborations stored away for the questions you WILL be asked in an interview.

Be Cool!

Interviews can be nerve-wrecking experiences but it doesn’t have to be that way. Try to relax as best as you can. Listen to your favorite songs before the interview. Music is stress relieving. Brazil’s soccer team brings instruments and plays music on the bus before games to battle anxiety. Another thing is to take a few deeps breaths and realize that the outcome, good or bad, is not the end of the world.

I talked to a wise man and he said ” There is nothing to worry about in an interview. They interview you and they want you to talk about yourself. What? You don’t know yourself?” Good Luck!

The Fox School’s own Executive Director of the CSPD, Corinne Snell, has been quoted in an article about the importance of perseverence in your job search.

But at Temple’s Fox School of Business in Philadelphia, “we have only seen a very small decrease (about 5%) in companies posting jobs on campus,” says Corinne Snell, executive director of the Center for Student Professional Development.

The school’s corporate partners “realize the importance of maintaining relationships,” Corinne says. “College recruitment programs are typically a way to build bench strength and tie into succession planning. Many employers are still posting jobs, conducting on-campus interviews and participating in our upcoming spring recruiting/networking event – although they do anticipate extending fewer offers this year.”

Read the full article to find additional information regarding the strategies and techniques that the class of ‘09 will find useful in their job search!

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