There are few feelings that are quite as disappointing as going in for a job interview, careers guns ablaze, only to not get it. Occasionally, we know where we flubbed. But it seems that more often than not, we’re left with nothing but speculation as to where we took a wrong turn.
In the spirit of keeping you from another depressing career move letdown, here are a few little reasons why you never got called back about your dream job:
1) You actually referred to it as your “dream job”
Yeah, not only does this expression get on pretty much everyone’s nerves but it’s also the fast track to making them think you’re full of it. This is the suck-up’s motto. Even if you really do mean it, and this really is the job you’ve been waiting your entire professional life for, keep it cool.
Not only will it keep you from uttering that interview-killer of a line but it’ll keep you from getting wrapped up in what you have at stake. Thinking about that will get you frazzled, distracted and stressed…not the best way to stay cool and composed.
2) You brought the sex
It’s amazing to me how many women don’t know the difference between looking date good and looking job interview good. There is a huge difference…and most of it has to do with the amount of skin you’re showing.
Rule 1: put the girls away. I know you use them to their maximum in social settings but when going in for an interview, the rule is the more you have, the more you need to cover.
As far as your ass goes, well, it should always look good. But in this case, make it well-fitted good. Your ass shouldn’t look like it’s trying to escape your pants.
3) You focus on the perks
It’s generally a solid plan in an interview to focus on what you can do for them. Sell yourself, don’t act like you’re shopping for a new job. Obviously, you want to consider things like insurance benefits, salary, vacation days, etc…but let that information be presented. Don’t go digging. You want to be offered the job before you start looking for ways it doesn’t fill your list of demands. Bosses have said this is a major turn-off in a candidate.
4) You get too chummy
It’s an amazing feeling of being “in” when you are mid-interview and discover that you and the interviewer went to the same college, or were even in the same sorority or that you both love sailing or whatever. And finding that way to personally appeal to your potential new boss is a solid tactic for getting a new job; you do want to make him/her think about how nice it will be to share a workspace with you, aside from your obvious qualifications.
But getting too friendly is a bad idea…before you know it, you’ll be calling her “girlfriend” and feeling comfortable enough to check your Blackberry…which, incidentally, won’t be showing “You Got the Job!” messages anytime soon.
