“Mistakes Job Applicants Make Before The Job Interview”
On my first job hunt, I was asked to write on this.
Eleven years after leaving High School, I have finally hit the streets in search of white-collar jobs. If I get hired, it is going to be the first time I will be working under supervision. This will also be the first paid job I am getting after graduating from High school.
This is why you shouldn't be surprised if I say that I am feeling nervous. Yes, I am. For the past ten years plus, I have been at home, babysitting the kids, reading, and writing. I have been the boss of my own and manager in the domestic chores.
My new job is going to be a writing job with a News Medium. I have been tasked to produce 5 articles of not less than 1,500 words every week. This is no challenge to me at all. My few months on Medium and other publications have given me a tremendous lift in writing.
My first test on the job has already begun. I was asked via mail to write an article of not less than 300 words on “Mistakes Job Applicants Make Before the Job Interview”.
Mistakes Job Applicants Make Before The Job Interview
A job interview is all about a conversation between a job seeker and an employer or group of people who represent an employer in order to assess whether the applicant is qualified to be hired or not. This conversation can be face to face or computer-assisted.
You will agree with me that when it calls for discussion on job applications and interviews, it is a delicate and complicated matter. This is because no one knows for sure what the interviewers really want. But for sure an interviewer wants something from a job applicant. The interviewers are looking for unique and proficient qualities to hire for the job.
There are many teachings on what a job applicant should know before going for a job interview. These teachings are often time divided into three. They are taught as things to know or do before, during, and after a job interview. If a job applicant is not acquainted with these teachings, he will surely make blunders and fumbles during the interview processes.
If a job applicant does not know what to do before the job interview, he may also not know what to do during and after an interview. From what I have heard and read, the common mistakes a job applicants make before a job interview are:
No: 1# Not Knowing Anything About The Firm Before The interview
Of all the mistakes, this is the greatest among them. It is like preparing for war without mastering the weapons to be used for the war. A job applicant who is coming for an interview in Gist Mate Africa is expected to do a brief study about the company. He should know when it was founded and by who, find out if they have other branches.
In addition to this, job experts also say an applicant should know a brief background of who is on the seat for the interview. To this I say, it may also be important if the interviewer is a stakeholder in the firm. Looking up the personality on Linkedin may somehow be of help.
No: 2# Not familiarized oneself with the likely interview questions
I have learned a bitter lesson on this aspect of mistake as a job a seeker during my one year IT. Because of this mistake, I lost the chance of getting employed in a radio house to a young ‘rough’ looking guy who gave a simple answer to a common question. I can still bet that his answer was well-rehearsed. He knew about the likely questions and he familiarized himself with them.
I was at the top list of the job applicants because of my high scores on the aptitude tests. I was asked to stay behind after my interview with them and I was opportune to listen to the rest interviews. I can’t say why.
The young boy walked in and the whole game changed against me. He was asked the same question that was thrown to all of us. “Do you have other skills outside your profession that you think can help to move the company forward?”
“Yes Sir. I am skilled in baking. Manager’s birthday cake on me. Staff snacking, on me”. The boy replied smoothly without having to stammer or jamb in between words like the rest of us did.
Immediately he said this, his appointment letter was stamped and handed to him. He won the job. He won the job because he came prepared.
No: 3# Not knowing The Worth Of Your Service
Before a job applicant goes for a job interview, he should know how much his service to the company is worth. He or she should be able to convert his or her skills and experiences in monetary value. I am not saying you should pitch on it. But at least, a good and experienced writer should be able to say when asked what it costs to present A 1000 word article.
Some job experts advise having foreknowledge of the company’s salary scale before the interview. It is good but you should do it bearing in mind the financial strength and the structure of the company.
No: 4# Neglecting Unforeseen Circumstances
Having a plan B for every arrangement you are making towards the day of your job interview is a sure way to beating unforeseen circumstances. The taxi may fail to come early. Traffic jams may hamper your movement. There may be a heavy downpour. It is a mistake for job applicants not to have all these in their minds and plan for an alternative as they prepare for their interviews.
I have not seen anybody who was offered a job after missing a job interview due to unforeseen circumstances. Unless the gods went with the person. Even the gods sometimes are snubbed when it misfires.
No: 5# Going For A Job Interview Late
A job applicant going for a job interview should arrive at the interview venue one hour before time. The applicant should be seated and settled before walking into the interview hall.
There is no place as hot as an interview, even with an Air Conditioner. It is not advisable to walk into this room, unsettled.
No: 6# Not Switching off Your Phone Or Putting It In Silent Mode
This is another terrible mistake a job applicants make. Before going into the interview hall be sure to put your phone off. If it must be opened, put it on silent mode. It is embarrassing, it risks your chances of getting the job if your job rings in the middle of your interview.
I have heard about the case where an applicant’s phone rang during an interview and he was asked to excuse himself to answer his call and that was the end. He was never called in afterward. His phone robbed him of the job opportunity.
Finally, the list of the mistakes job applicants make before a job interview is endless. Another mistake worth mentioning is dressing wrongly to the job interview. What a job applicant wears for a job interview determines how he or she is addressed. This flaw alone has deprived many of job opportunities.
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Yesterday, I received another mail from the News Medium confirming the receipt of my article. In addition, I was applauded for the fastness on which the article was written and submitted.
I am hoping for the best. Congratulations to myself in advance!
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