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What NOT to say at a job interview

July 1, 2014 By Miriam Salpeter

Screen Shot 2014-07-03 at 10.34.28 PMInterviews. They’re a necessary evil for both job seekers and employers; no one seems to love them. There’s lots of advice out there about what to say and what not to say in an interview. Today, we’re going to explore the topic of what you wish you COULD say in an interview, but shouldn’t – that is, if you want the job.

Why do you think I am looking for a job? My boss is a real jerk.

It’s common knowledge that one of the biggest reasons people leave their jobs is because their boss or manager is difficult (at best) or horrible (at worst). The interviewer may even assume you have a bad boss. But, that doesn’t give you the green light to say anything about it.

Why? Because no one wants to hire the person who is going to be bad mouthing him or her in another year’s time. Dissing your current or recent boss is a big mistake. It’s a huge red flag that is unlikely overlooked in the hiring process. Throw your boss under the bus (figuratively) and you can kiss the new job potential goodbye.

You will not believe the things going on behind the scenes at my job. My employer makes T.V. shows like Scandal seem tame.

If you’re effectively fleeing a shady operation, a toxic workplace or your employer regularly seems to sidestep ethics in favor of profit, it’s great that you’re interviewing. What is not great is if you discuss your experiences with your interviewer.

That’s not to say you should never consider being a whistle blower. Although, you wouldn’t want to take on that role without first considering all of the possible ramifications, and consulting an attorney. It’s just that spilling your guts about all the wrongdoing at your current or past office, even in hushed tones, while looking behind you to see if anyone else can hear what you’re saying, is bad form for an interview.

Could you BE less prepared for this interview?

Career coaches are always harping on how important it is for job seekers to be prepared for interviews. Meanwhile, many employers, especially the ones who don’t have many opportunities to interview candidates, often seem totally clueless when it comes to what to ask. Some don’t appear to have even reviewed your resume. What a waste of time!

However, your best recourse is to take advantage of an unprepared interviewer and volunteer information you want him or her to know. Do not wait for someone to ask you about the best accomplishment that qualifies you for the position – you make sure to fit it into the conversation. And, no – you can’t suggest the interviewer may want to prepare better the next time if you want a chance to advance in the process.

I know you aren’t going to hire me because I’m twice your age.

Ageism is alive and well, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get a job with a younger boss. If you could be the interviewer’s mom, it’s likely clear to everyone in the room. Instead of focusing on the age difference, make a point to avoid highlighting the generational gap. For example, also avoid colloquialisms such as, “When I was your age” or “Back in my day.”

Let’s cut to the chase: what does this job pay?

It would save so much time if employers and candidate could always be upfront about salary expectations. Unfortunately, it’s usually a guessing game, where each sizes up the other and hopes for the best. Under most circumstances, it is not appropriate to bring up salary until you’re offered the job, so this is just one more on the list of things you wish you could say at the interview.

If you have a lot of hostility or secrets to keep while you’re interviewing, consider practicing what NOT to say as equal in importance as planning what TO say at an interview. You’ll be glad you did.

Originally appeared on AOLJobs.com.

 

Filed Under: Interviewing Tagged With: Interviewing, keppie careers, Miriam Salpeter, what not to say at an interview

5 tips to interview to land the job

February 15, 2010 By Miriam Salpeter

Interviewing is really an art as much as it is a science. Being successful depends on a combination of preparation, know-how and the ability to connect with the audience. Something most job seekers don’t consider – your interviewer HOPES you are the best candidate for the job. Think about it – who wants to interview and interview and never find a great fit for the job?

Some ideas to help turn your interviewer into a FAN!

1. Convince yourself that the interviewer really WANTS to hire you.
The fact is, it is tough to hire a quality employee. I can say from experience that your interviewer hopes that you WOW him or her with your answers and give fabulous reasons to hire you.  In essence, the interviewer is rooting for you!

2. Know what to say. 
Prepare in advance.  A lot.  No, you don’t have to memorize answers to 100 interview questions, but be sure that you spend time thinking and practicing what you will say in response to topics that will come up:

  • Think of your key points (as they relate to how you fit into the job).  These points are your message.  They answer the question:  Why should we hire you?
  • Create several stories that illustrate your points and describe how you are able to fill the organization’s needs.  Stories should demonstrate successes, a time you overcame obstacles and examples of how you interact with colleagues and employers. Use the STAR technique to describe these situations.
  • Incorporate the fact that you’ve conducted research on the organization, their goals, values, accomplishments and needs in your answers.  Your interviewer will be happy to know that you spent some time on the organization’s website or reading up on them.  It’s flattering to know that you’re interested enough in the job to prepare.  Interviewers love prepared candidates.

3. Listen carefully and answer the question. 
You won’t believe how many candidates reply to a direct question without actually answering it.  It can be a little painful for the interviewer.  Ask for clarification if necessary, even think for a few seconds before replying.  (Not too many seconds, though.)  If you don’t answer the question, you’ll lose your fan.

4. Don’t keep talking and talking (and talking)…
There is no quicker way to lose your audience than by droning on and on before you get to the point.  If it doesn’t seem that you’re getting to the point, you will lose your audience quickly.  Even if you do (eventually) answer the question, your interviewer will be busy making mental notes about what to pick up for dinner by the time you get to the point.  Be succinct.  Your interviewer will love it!

5. Follow Up
Send a thank you note.  It matters.

If you follow these tips, you’ll increase the likelihood of keeping a fan on the other side of the interview table.  That fan is much more likely to become a colleague if they like you as much when you leave the room as they did when they invited you to interview!  It’s in your hands – interview to seal the deal and GET THE JOB!

Stay tuned for some additional tips from Keith Ferrazzi!

photo by woodlywonderworks

Filed Under: Interviewing Tagged With: advice, career coach, how to interview, Interview help, interview tips, Interviewing, keppie careers, Miriam Salpeter, tips, win in an interview, win the job

Going rogue – advice for the rest of us

November 19, 2009 By Miriam Salpeter

Rogue (per Dictionary.com):

–noun

1. a dishonest, knavish person; scoundrel.

2. a playfully mischievous person; scamp: The youngest boys are little rogues.

3. a tramp or vagabond.

4. a rogue elephant or other animal of similar disposition.

5. Biology. a usually inferior organism, esp. a plant, varying markedly from the normal.

–verb (used without object)

6. to live or act as a rogue.

–verb (used with object)

7. to cheat.

8. to uproot or destroy (plants, etc., that do not conform to a desired standard).

9. to perform this operation upon: to rogue a field.

–adjective

10. (of an animal) having an abnormally savage or unpredictable disposition, as a rogue elephant.

11. no longer obedient, belonging, or accepted and hence not controllable or answerable; deviating, renegade: a rogue cop; a rogue union local.

Should you be going rogue? Sarah Palin’s new book obviously brings these questions of “rogue” to light. Let’s face it – this is probably not a word in the general lexicon before she used it in her title. Knowing the technical definitions makes it seem an odd choice.

Eve Tahmincioglu asks about going rogue, which she defines as “dogging your old boss.” Eve quotes the Wall Street Journal, which said:

“…it is for details of the McCain campaign that many readers will pick up “Going Rogue,” and Mrs. Palin will not disappoint them. She describes in particular how campaign aides muzzled her and mismanaged her family.

One of the biggest mistakes of the failed McCain campaign—and there was no shortage of them—was its handling of Mrs. Palin. Her criticisms of the campaign’s treatment of her appear prominently in “Going Rogue.”

Eve asks:

Seems “going rogue” could be added to the HR lexicon as a new phrase to describe dogging your old boss and still succeeding…Are we entering a time when former boss-dogging is acceptable?

Eve points out that there are many venues for workers to trash their bosses, even if they are not high-profile, public figures.

This is certainly true. One avenue to report a bad boss is ebosswatch.com. The site notes, “If you are a job seeker or if you are thinking about making a career change, check with eBossWatch to make sure that you won’t be stuck working for an abusive or bad boss. Search for the boss or company that you are interviewing with or considering working for and see how other employees have rated that boss.” (Disclosure: the founder of eBossWatch is my business partner in GreatPlaceJobs, a site to help job seekers connect with opportunities in award-winning companies.)

Selena Dehne tweeted a link today to a post about what to and not to do when you are looking for work. Prominent among the NOT to dos (by Bob Weinstein):

* Don’t badmouth previous employers or coworkers. It’s very tempting to be honest and tell prospective employers the real reasons for being laid off or fired. But this is not the place for honesty. Prospective employers are not interested. It’s bad form. If you’re leaving because you had a daemonic boss or had difficulty with co-workers, find a plausible positive reason for seeking greener pastures. An evergreen reason is greater advancement and training options – an opportunity to “move up the ladder and take on more responsibilities.” These are solid irrefutable reasons for changing jobs.

While there may be something to say for venting about a bad boss, doing it online from your personal blog, Facebook, Twitter or other social networking account is just a bad idea.

Face it – would you want to hire someone who trashed her former employer? As the next and future employer, you might be concerned about your own reputation should bad blood come between you and the new hire. No matter how much you hated your old boss or loathe your current supervisor, it is a BAD idea to let anyone interviewing you know about it. Instead, try to put the situation in the best possible light if pressed and avoid discussing it if possible. Negativity can only hurt you, so why go there?

Unless, maybe, you are Sarah Palin. This is another case of “career advice must be personalized.” It is certainly possible that telling her story may be just the thing for her career.

What do you think?

—

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

Filed Under: Career Advice, Interviewing Tagged With: Bob Weinstein, Eve Tahmincioglu, Going Rogue, Interviewing, job search, keppie careers, Miriam Salpeter, Sarah Palin

Great links for job seekers

November 6, 2009 By Miriam Salpeter

glindawitch3973198611_4bfc240fd7_mIn winding down my “scary story” posts, I wanted to share some links to some fun posts that my Twitter friends shared in the past week. I have posted a slew of scary (and funny) and scarily funny job search horror stories – take a look at this LINK and scroll down to experience the full scary impact!

@ExecuSearch shared 10 spooky jobs & the salaries that come with them via @CBforJobSeekers!

Want to know how other employees would describe their bosses? (Glinda the Good Witch? Wolfman?) What the scariest part of their job is? @CareerBuilderPR shares THIS LINK to their research results!

@jennyjensHR and RT @davecarhart share What NOT to do in an interview! Worst interview faux pas by @abalderrama.

Don’t miss this great post from Michelle Goodman, who shared job interview horror stories.

@beneubanks shared a link to Employee Horror stories at UpstartHR.

Finally, thanks to @SusanZelinski: for sharing: Four Kinds of Vampires that Haunt Your Life (and What to Do About Them)

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by jeffryb

Filed Under: Interviewing, Uncategorized Tagged With: career coach, Interviewing, job search horror stories, keppie careers, Michelle Goodman, Miriam Salpeter, scary hiring stories, scary job search

Job search horror stories

October 24, 2009 By Miriam Salpeter

cracklymoon1797667874_0a714115a9_mIn honor of Halloween week, I thought it would be fun to commiserate and share some job search horror stories! The goal is to share tales from job seekers (so you know you’re not alone) AND from hiring managers, so job seekers can learn what things might NOT work.

So, welcome to “Horror Story Week” on Keppie Careers! I appreciate my Twitter friends for helping to pass the word that I am looking for stories, and for passing along some ideas for my series. Thanks also to Peter Shankman for HARO – Help A Reporter Out, for help finding additional sources! (It’s not too late to share your story! Send it to me: miriam(at)keppiecareers(dot)com.)

I guess that I wasn’t too surprised to learn that some of these horror stories may have had different endings had the job seeker taken a different approach. NOT that this excused rude behavior on the part of the hiring manager, but it is important to learn something from these stories…

Todd shared this story:

So, this so-called executive recruiter sends me a questionnaire (10 pages BTW) and says complete it and schedule an “interview.” Well, in full disclosure, I only completed half, but went ahead and scheduled the meeting. After all, I was an executive and my resume was what I wanted to talk about. So, while waiting in the lobby of this firm, some guy walks out to greet me. He’s wearing some ridiculous looking suit with tennis shoes and showing off a shiny keychain that says “Hyundai” and acts like he’s doing me a favor by taking the time to meet with me.

The guy walks me to some conference room, throws the half-complete questionnaire on the table and begins to yell at me–literally. He proceeds to tell me that I’m a loser and have no future. I couldn’t believe it!

So, I stood up and said I made a mistake. Then–THEN–he calls me an “a-hole” as I walked out. All I said was, ” Back at ya!”

Following this, eh em…episode, I landed a job as an executive for an online brokerage firm in Texas. I always wanted to call the guy and rub it in, but why stoop to that level.

So, what can we learn here? Clearly, Todd wasn’t very interested in this job! The fact is, if he was not willing to fill out the application (no matter how long), he should not have bothered to apply! As a job seeker, it is your responsibility to follow directions regarding the application if you want the job!

On the other hand, if you see what seems like a ridiculous application process, consider it a red flag. Maybe this company has policies and proceedures that are not likely to mesh with your preferred way of doing things. Evaluate it and decide NOT to apply! Even if you are desperate for a job, you know, deep down, you are unlikely to be happy working for a place that sets up what you consider to be an absurd hiring process.

In this case, obviously, the hiring manager was a bit “off.” It’s never appropriate to yell and swear at an applicant, and you have to assume an employee would receive the same treatment. So, it was lucky for Todd that things worked out the way they did!

What do you think? Share your comments below!

—-

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by peasap

Filed Under: Career Advice Tagged With: Career Advice, career search, horror stories, Interviewing, job hunt, keppie careers, Miriam Salpeter, Steve Boese

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