Interview Advice That Wont Work in Real Life

Interview Advice That Wont Work in Real LifeInterview Advice That Wont Work in Real Life1There are many armchair experts out there peddling job search advice thats faulty. Before you make the mistake of following it, review this list of misguided vorstellungsgesprch advice that will fall flat if you try to use it in an actual interview situation.Heres some job interview advice that wont work in real lifeQuittingThe wrong approach When youre asked about why you want to leave your current position, you focus on challenges that youre facing in your role, emphasizing to the interviewer why you believe their position will be the right fit for you.A better strategy Focusing on negative aspects of your current job, boss, or colleagues can be a red flag to hiring managers, who may view you as having a poor attitude or being a high-maintenance employee. When youre asked about why youre seeking a new opportunity, dont highlight challenges where you are now- for example, I work in a small offic e and think I would do better in a larger one. Instead, emphasize that youre ready to grow in new ways professionally that only a specific type of new opportunity, role, company, or industry can provide. Point out the exact ways that you think youre the right fit for the position you want, and show how the job is a perfect next step for your career.Salary ExpectationsThe wrong approach When an interviewer asks you about your current salary and salary expectations in the initial phone screen or first meeting, youquickly offer up your numbers.A better strategy Sharing numbers too soon in the hiring process can pigeonhole you into a lower salary band. Its a smart best practice to always try to get the employer to share numbers or a range first, to avoid pricing yourself out of the job by naming a figure thats too high or too low. As a first step, be sure to do your research on average salaries based on industry, job title, and location prior to your interview. Then if salary comes up i n one of your initial conversations with the hiring team, try to deflect it back to them by saying something like, Im familiar with industry averages for this title, and Im wondering if you are able to share the salary range with me for this position?FailuresThe wrong approach When youre asked about a previous mistake or failure that youve made on the job, you figure honesty is the best policyand prepare to detail your biggest professional doozy.A better strategy Part of the savvy involved in answering interview questions is using discretion with your answers. Yes, you want to be honest, but you likely have many possibilities to choose from when answering this question. Your goal is to share a misstep that allows you to show how youve grown as a professional since the time you made the error. A good choice might be learning how to manage your time better after missing an initial deadline early in your career, or improving your teams customer service level after a missed opportunity leuchtdiode to a lost sale. Your goal should be to emphasize your learning curve and new insights, as well as to avoid sharing anything that might cause the hiring team to question your judgment and professionalism.There is no blueprint or definitive roadmap to interview success. But by avoiding a few common landmines that could sabotage your job search efforts, youll be positioned more favorably to impress the hiring team.Looking for more interview advice? Check out our job interviewing tips category.