Mulling at Work brings you a special series on interviewing for a job. Nothing is more important, or more nerve-wracking, than a job interview. This week’s articles will help you prepare. The third article in the series is about watching what you say when you're being interviewed.
Over the last few days, we’ve watched as three well-known celebrities let their mouths get them in trouble. First, Representative Joe Wilson shouted out in the middle of President Obama’s speech on healthcare. Next, at the US Open, tennis superstar Serena Williams cursed at a line judge. And finally, in a headline-making and head-shaking move, music celebrity Kanye West rushed the stage at MTV’s Video Music Awards, grabbed the mike from award-winner Taylor Swift, and announced that someone else should have won.
While all of these outbursts were certainly memorable, the backlash and negative publicity has been tremendous, and you can bet that all three of them wish they had taken a minute to think before they spoke. The lesson for job-seekers? Don’t allow your desire to stand out overwhelm your good sense about appropriate behavior.
The following anecdotes are all true stories gathered through personal experience and discussions with human resource professionals. While some may seem far-fetched, there’s a lesson in each horror story.
Going for the gusto: One candidate was escorted into the interviewer’s office and asked to sit wherever he wished. He proceeded to sit at the interviewer’s desk, much to the surprise of his host! Career advancement experts often say to dress like the position you desire, but sitting in the seat of your potential boss is a premature expression of your ambition.
Here’s the pitch: Another candidate was interviewing for a sales management position in a Fortune 500 corporation. In the middle of relaying a success story, he asked for a flip chart and marker. He then spent 15 minutes drawing charts and pacing the room. Yes, the goal is to sell yourself and your skills, but it’s best to remain seated throughout the interview.
Something smells fishy: A colleague once interviewed a candidate whose cologne was distinctive and overly apparent. Unfortunately; the interviewer was allergic to the cologne and she had to cut the conversation short. Looking back, she could remember nothing of the candidate but the smell.
A resume celebration: Not only are candidates creative with the look of a resume, they are often creative in its presentation. One young woman applied for a job in a marketing department of a large corporation. Her resume was delivered in a tube filled with confetti that spilled all over the HR Director’s desk. The candidate clearly had not researched the company or she would have known its conservative culture. The resume went directly to the trash without even a quick glance.
Casual day: A marketing company was hiring under a tight deadline, so interviews were held on the weekend and candidates were told to dress informally. However, one candidate showed up in jeans and a t-shirt. Even if told to dress casually, a candidate should wear something that presents a professional appearance. You want to be sure that your physical appearance sends the same message as your qualifications.
There’s a moral in these anecdotes. As a job candidate, you should do everything possible to stand out from the crowd. But in general, you should let your experience, skills and personal aptitude – not a flashy presentation or gimmick – be the factors that set you apart. Can someone tell that to Kanye West?
photo by Pyrator
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