10 things to avoid at your job interview

Your CV is your marketing brochure through which you try to sell a commodity, i.e. your skills to
the potential buyer i.e. the prospective employer. The sole purpose of your CV is to fetch you an
interview call. Nothing more, nothing less.

However, creating a CV isn't as simple as just using flowery language and pretty fonts. There are
certain things that put recruiters off and if you want to make a good impression, make sure you do
not commit these mistakes in what is arguably the most valuable document of your job hunt.

While the rules listed are well-founded, they are not carved in stone. At times you will need to
break the rules. If you want to add these things knowingly and purposefully to your CV we advise
you to do that.

The points mentioned here are not listed in the order of priority; instead they are listed in the
sequence in which they usually appear on a CV.

~ Colorful or glossy paper and flashy fonts

Your CV is a formal, official document. Keep it simple.

~ Resume or CV at the top

Many people tend to add headings to their CV. The usual are CV, Curriculum Vitae and Resume.
Do not do this.

~ Photographs until asked

Do not add your photo to the CV until you have been asked for it. Photographs are required only
for certain types of positions like models, actors etc.

~ Usage of 'I', 'My', 'He', 'She'

Do not use these in your CV. Many candidates write, 'I worked as Team Leader for XYZ
Company' or 'He was awarded Best Employee for the year 2007'. Instead use bullet points to list
out your qualifications/ experience like: Team leader for XYZ Company from 2006-2007.

~ Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors

Proofread your CV until you are confident that it doesn't have any spelling mistakes or
grammatical errors. These are big put-offs for the recruiters. Moreover, sometimes these
mistakes might land you in an embarrassing situation.

A candidate who submitted his CV without proofreading it committed the mistake of wrongly
spelling 'ask' as 'ass'. Now you can imagine the type of embarrassment he must have faced
during the interview, when the interviewer pointed it out. These mistakes tend to convey a lazy
and careless attitude to the interviewer.

~ Lies about your candidature

Do not lie about your past jobs or qualifications or anything which might have an impact on the
job. You may be able to secure a job with these lies today but tomorrow you may lose it as well.

~ Abbreviations or jargon that is difficult to understand

People screening your resume usually belong to the HR department. If they do not understand
what the abbreviations and jargon mean, they will simply dump your CV in the trash can. Avoid
over-using such terms as far as possible.
~ Reasons for leaving last job
Leave these reasons to be discussed during the personal interview. For example, some
candidates write: Reason for leaving the last job: Made redundant. Avoid making such statements
in your CV, they add no value. Besides, if you do get an interview call, chances are the
interviewer will address the issue.

~ Past failures or health problems

Mentioning these immediately slash your chances of getting an interview call.

For instance, you have a gap in your employment because you started your own business which
did not do well. Some candidates might write -- Reason for gap in employment: Started own
business which failed. Do not do this type of injustice with your job hunt at this stage of writing the
CV.

~ Current or expected salary

Leave it to be discussed while negotiating the salary.

~ Irrelevant details
Leave out the details like marital status, sex, passport number, number of kids, and age of kids.
These are usually irrelevant for most interviewers but at times could be used as a basis for
discrimination.

~ References
Do not include them until asked. In fact, it is not even required to mention the line 'Reference
available on request'. If the recruiter requires a reference, he/she will ask you to bring it along
for the interview.

Now that you have run through the list, take a fresh look at your CV and prune away unnecessary
details and unaffordable blunders that could have cost you your dream job.

We discussed the common errors applicants make when drafting their CVs or resumes. Following
the article we received a large number of queries from readers, asking what information they
should include in their CV, to make it impressive.

This article is an attempt to help the readers design an impressive and user-friendly CV. If you
ensure that you include this information in your CV, the chances of it meeting the interviewer's
expectations are increased.

~ Begin with name and contact details

Make this information available at the beginning of your CV. This should include your postal
address, phone number (preferably mobile number) and e-mail address (only one). If a company
wants to call you for an interview or needs to communicate with you for any further information,
they will look out for this information. If it is buried somewhere inside the CV it will not only put
them off but also reduce their chances of contacting you.

~ Write an appealing career summary

This is your chance to bring forward relevant strengths and skills to the recruiter. Everything in
your CV should support your Career Summary. If there's anything that doesn't support your
Career Summary, you should reconsider listing it.
You should write your Career Summary around your skills, attitude, knowledge and experience.
There are two schools of thought on writing the career statement.

Some people think that it should be a short 30-40 word paragraph while others give it liberty to be
covered in 4-5 bulleted points. Whatever you decide on, ensure that everything relevant that you
want to sell to the prospective employer is covered here. At the same time, it should not become
nauseating.

~ Focus on your work experience, responsibilities and an achievement

If you are an experienced candidate, your work experience is your main asset. Include the details
of the relevant jobs you have done in the past. You should present your work experience in a
chronologically descending order i.e. the last company first.

This should include the name of the company, your designation and tenure followed by your job
responsibilities and achievements. It is always better to present this information in bulleted format
rather than a clumsy paragraph. Mention some figures when you talk about your achievements.

For example:
Worked as Business Development Manager for XYZ Company from June 2000 to January
2004.

Job responsibilities:

 Setting up 7 franchisees across 4 countries

 Maximising the business from existing customers to the tune of $ 200,000

~ Your next asset is your educational qualification

Educational qualifications play an important role in the recruitment of fresher’s. If you are a fresh
candidate, focus your CV on your qualifications and achievements during your student life.

~ Write about your out-of-work achievements, interests and hobbies

These reflect your personality and skills. Present the relevant achievements in the order of priority
i.e. the most important achievement first. Similarly, present your interests as well. Write about the
achievements that display a facet of your personality. For example, if you have been the
president of your college, do mention it. It shows your leadership skills.

~ Write short sentences with more impactful words

Lengthy CVs put the recruiter off. Keep the sentences short and use words that demonstrate your
hold of the situation like managed, arranged, supervised etc.

~ Formal font faces

A font like Verdana-10 should be good for the content while the Name at the top can be written in
Verdana-12, with a bold font face.

~ Use the same tense through out the CV.

Changing the tense in every second line leaves the reader confused and annoyed.

Now, put together both the articles i.e. 12 things your CV should not have and 8 things to
make an impressive CV. Draft and re-draft your CV keeping the points mentioned, till you are
satisfied that you have presented the facts in the most impressive and convincing way.
If you have received an interview call, it means your CV has done what it was supposed to. The
next step for you is to convert the job interview into a job. Your CV can't do much here. It is you
who has to convince the interviewer that you are the best choice.

However good your CV is, if you can't present yourself properly during the interview, it can't get
you the job. There are many small mistakes that candidates commit, costing them the opportunity
and the job. This article is an attempt to put forward the small mistakes that can prove to be the
death of the interview.

If you really want the job for which you are being interviewed, make sure you do not commit these
mistakes and instead leave a good impression on the interviewer.

~ Arriving late and ignoring explicit instructions

This is the first mistake that can give a negative impression. As you go for an interview, the
interviewer spares some time to meet you. Your arriving late will probably disturb their work
schedule.

Try to reach on time and if you are getting late for any reason, make sure that you inform the
interviewer. Also, make sure that you follow all the instructions provided to you to appear for the
interview. Ignoring the explicit instructions shows your "I don't care" attitude.

Anjali went to appear for an interview. She reached the employer's office on time but ignored the
instructions to enter from gate no 2 rather than the first gate. This made her waste a lot of time
searching for the interview hall.

Eventually, she turned up late for the interview. As interviewers got to know this, the first
impression they got about Anjali was that she does not care for instructions. She lost the
interview before it could begin.

~ Don't be a job beggar

Approach the interview as a problem solver and not as a job beggar. It is not the beggars who are
hired; it is the people who have a capability to solve the employer's problems, who are hired. The
employer has a problem to which you have a solution, so it is a give and take relationship.
Employers respect people who respect themselves.

~ Going without preparation

Prepare yourself for the obvious questions. Not being able to reply to the general questions
properly gives a bad impression. Make it a point to research the company and its business before
you go for an interview.

Not having the basic knowledge about the company shows that you are not interested in the job.
This is one of the biggest mistakes you can commit as an interviewee. Akash replied to a
notification requiring Corporate Communication Managers and with his impressive CV, he
managed to secure an interview call.

As the interview proceeded, the interviewer asked him if he was aware of the company's
business, to which he replied in the negative. The interviewer immediately told him, he could have
taken a look at the company's website and collected some information before coming. An
embarrassing situation that could easily have been avoided.

~ Not analysing the job profile and requirements

This is another big mistake that many candidates commit. If you do not take the time to
understand the job profile and requirements properly, you cannot expect the questions the
interviewer might have. Moreover, you will not be able to dispel the interviewer of the doubts s/he
may have regarding your candidature on that profile.

~ Badmouthing your previous company

During an interview, do not criticize your last employer. The prospective employer will try to relate
himself to your last employer and your badmouthing can give them the impression that you are a
misfit. Most employers try to judge your attitude through this question. Speaking negatively about
your place of work might give them the feeling that you are not an easy person to get along with.

~ Telling lies about your candidature

Remember that you have a right to remain silent over the things that you don't want to disclose. It
is not necessary that you provide them the details of every inch of your career but make sure that
you do not tell lies about your candidature. These lies may get you hired but they can be a big
reason for you being fired as well.

~ Sounding money-minded
Employers do not like people who switch jobs for couple of thousand rupees. Although money is
a major attraction, do not talk about the salary and benefits before you are offered the job. let the
interviewer begin the discussion on the salary.

~ Not asking questions to the interviewer

Almost all interviewers give the candidate a chance to ask questions. This is something you can
always expect. Prepare yourself to ask some intelligent questions about the company, business,
your chances to grow in the organisation etc. By not asking questions you might give the
impression of being uninterested or indifferent.

~ Failing to send a thank you note

Do not fail to send a thank you note to the interviewers within 24 hours of your interview. This will
keep you fresh in their minds and give them another chance to let you know if they have any
concerns regarding your candidature.

~ Over-aggression
You have all the right to speak for yourself during the interview and sell your skills but do not go
overboard by interrupting the interview or arguing with him/her. This might give the interviewer the
impression of over-confidence instead of confidence.

These are some of the more unusual things that might skip your attention as you appear for an
interview. In addition to these pointers, there are other general things you should avoid such as
not grooming yourself properly, chewing gum or smoking just before or during the interview,
answering your cell phone during the interview etc.

So, take a fresh look at your approach and practice the things listed above to ensure that you
leave a good impression on the interviewer and give them a reason to hire you.
Make a BIG impression at your interview!
April 29, 2008

Interviews are a nerve-wracking experience for most. Being quizzed about one's capabilities in a new
environment by someone you don't know can make even the most confident candidate get a little weak in
the knees.

Apart from what you say, what makes a big impression on most interviewers is the way you say it, or the
way you carry yourself -- whether you can overcome your nerves enough to project a confident, personable
individual.

Tackling just these issues is the Body Language book by Carolyn Boyes, part of the need to know? series
published by HarperCollins. Here's an excerpt:

An interview is, in effect, a sales meeting in which you are selling the product -- 'you' -- to a purchaser -- 'the
interviewer'. Creating the right kind of chemistry with the interviewer through body language could clinch the
interview for you.

In an interview, the recruiter will generally see more than one candidate with similar qualifications,
knowledge and skills. 'Chemistry' or 'fit' between the interviewee and interviewer can be the winning factor.
You can learn to create chemistry by being aware of your body language.

Making your entrance

April 29, 2008

As soon as you are seen walking through the door, you are making an impression, so make sure it is the
right one. Slowing down or dipping your head as you enter will look anxious and tentative. Rushing in can
also seem nervous. Keeping an erect posture with your head held high in contrast looks confident.

Pause at the door, smile at the interviewer and walk through decisively. You are aiming to appear
personable and warm, as well as business-like.

Transfer any coat, briefcase or handbag into your left hand to leave your right hand free ready to shake
hands confidently with the interviewer.

Handshakes
Be aware of your handshake. Avoid bonecrusher or limp/dead-fish handshakes. If you have a tendency to
sweat or have cold hands, make sure you have wiped your hands or warmed them up before you enter the
room. Use a firm handshake. Hold out your hand horizontally so that your palm meets the other person's at
the same angle.

Remember that a handshake can give you a lot of information about someone. Notice how the interviewer
offers their hand. When they clasp it, do they turn your hand so that their palm is facing down, putting
themselves in the dominant position? Do you both walk towards each other into each other's personal space
equally or do they pull you towards them? Do they release your hand first and push it away? Are they
relaxed or nervous? Is their hand warm, cold, dry or damp? Is their arm fully extended or relaxed? Do they
touch you with their other hand?

Eye contact
Make eye contact with your interviewer(s) when listening. If there is more than one interviewer, make sure
you make equal eye contact with both. Remember that too much eye contact can seem aggressive, so scan
the upper triangle of the face (from the eyes to the forehead), rather than stare directly into the other
person's eyes without interruption. Break your eye contact when you are thinking of an answer. It looks
natural.

Sitting
April 29, 2008

Keep your posture confident and relaxed. A good trick is to take a deep breath when you sit down and lower
your shoulders. It will make the interviewer response positively to you. Make sure you do not slump down in
your chair or lean back away from the interviewer. It will look as if you are not interested. Instead, sit back
into the chair so that you are well supported and, if you can, rest your elbows on the chair arms.

Personal space
Be aware of rules on personal space. Make sure your chair is positioned so that you can chat easily without
invading the interviewer's territory. If you break the unwritten space rules, you could scupper your chances
of success.

Open body language

Avoid leg and arm barriers and closed body language -- you will just look defensive or submissive. Keep
your gestures open and relaxed.

If there is a desk between you and the interviewer, sit back slightly so you have room to move freely. If you
want to emphasize a point, keep your palms open and towards the interviewer to look friendly.

At the same time, be aware of how relaxed or formal their interviewer is. Stay in tune with them and let them
set the tone for the interview. If you relax too much and are far more laid-back than they are, you will appear
either sloppy or overconfident. If, on the other hand, you are too formal, they will find it hard to relate to you.

Matching
April 29, 2008

Get into rapport with the interviewer as quickly as possible. If you are not mimicking each other's body
positions naturally, do it consciously. Match the angle of their back and position in the chair. Notice how they
are breathing. If they talk quickly, they are probably breathing high in the chest. If they talk slowly, they are
probably taking deep breaths. Get into their rhythm for a few minutes. After a while this will become
automatic.

Watch while you speak

Be aware not only of your own body language but also the body language of the interviewer. Let their body
language signals be your guide as to the level of their interest. Are they bored? Interested? Defensive? In
agreement? Disagreement? When you make a point or give an answer, how do they respond? Notice if their
body language suddenly changes. Interviewees frequently speak for too long, so be aware if the interviewer
starts to nod more rapidly or tap their fingers. They may want to interrupt you.

Show interest
Vary your facial expressions to show enthusiasm and interest. When they speak, lean
forwards, nod, or rest your forefinger to your chin to show your full attention. Lower
your eyebrows, even frown slightly, to show concentration. Part your lips slightly. Also,
make sure you avoid arm barriers when you are listening, as well as when you are
speaking.

Show interest
April 29, 2008

Vary your facial expressions to show enthusiasm and interest. When they speak, lean forwards, nod, or rest
your forefinger to your chin to show your full attention. Lower your eyebrows, even frown slightly, to show
concentration. Part your lips slightly. Also, make sure you avoid arm barriers when you are listening, as well
as when you are speaking.

Be definite
Use your hands to emphasise points when you are speaking, but be careful not to use aggressive gestures
such as making a fist or punching the air. Keep the conversation free of interruptions.

Leakage
Be aware of any possible leakage in your gestures when you are being interviewed. Prepare for the
interview and rehearse answers to any difficult questions that you expect to be asked. This will allow you to
feel relaxed during the interview, which will come across positively in your body language. Otherwise your
body language could inadvertently make you appear deceitful or cause you to look as if you are avoiding an
issue.

Saying goodbye
When you say goodbye, allow the interviewer to instigate a handshake. Return it with a firm handshake and
then be aware that they will probably usher you from the room, as they are the dominant person in the
situation. Finally, make sure you end the interview with a smile and eye contact.