TURNER’S 10 ADVANTAGE

INTERVIEW KILLERS
Here are ten most of the common “advantage killers”
and how you can steer clear of them during your next
interview.

During a job interview, you have to avoid

similar spoilers if you want to make a good
impression.
 Not knowing your aim. 1
Too often candidates think their purpose in an
interview is simply to ask for a job. Your goals are
to demonstrate how you are a good fit for the
organization, and to assess whether the job is
really fit for you.
 Being too needy. 2
Neediness is the number one advantage-killer in an
interview. Remind yourself before walking at the
door, you don’t need this job. You do need food,
you do need air, and you do need water. Keep
things in perspective.
Lousy nonverbal communication. 3
This is about demonstrating confidence. Your first
impression makes the difference. When you enter
the interview room, stand up straight, make eye-
contact, and offer a strong handshake with your
interviewer.
Compromising your position. 4
You should always participate in the interview as
an equal, not a subordinate of the person
conducting the interview. Often, this is a subtle
matter of self-perception, so remind yourself before
the interview.
Falling into the answers-only rut. 5
An interview is a conversation. Do not just answer
their questions. That is why you have prepared
stories to highlight your accomplishments, which
will be your moments to shine.
 Rambling. 6
Telling your interviewer more than they need to
know could be fatal. Your stories should be 60 to 90
seconds long and they should have a relevant
point. Focus, focus, focus!
 Being overly familiar. 7
Good interviewers will be skilled enough to put
you at ease within the first ten minutes of the
interview. That does not mean that they have
become your best friend.
Making incorrect assumptions. 8
Points are not deducted at the interview for asking
questions when you do not understand something.
Do not guess at what your interviewer means.
 Getting emotional. 9
At times the interviewer may hit a nerve or
consciously try to provoke you into an “outburst”.
Do not fall for it. Clear your mind of any fear or
expectation, so you can maintain a calm, open-
minded perspective at all times.
Not asking specific questions. 10
You want to find out more about what this job is
really about and whether you want it. Arrive with
a list of several prepared questions about the
company, the position, and the people who work
there. Ask questions that begin with “what, how,
and why”. Avoid simple yes/no questions.
TURNER’S ELEVEN DYNAMITE
QUESTIONS
 Cont’d. 1

I read in your company mission statement

about “service excellence”. Exactly, how
would you profess to perform in this vacant
job?
 Cont’d. 2

What are the chances of the community

being in the industry’s top three within the
next five years?
 Cont’d. 3

Is the company considering a merger

with another company? How about the
consolidation?
 Cont’d. 4

What is the annual growth rate of the

company these past three years? What is
the main driver of growth?
 Cont’d. 5

What challenges do you foresee

happening to this company within years?
How about opportunities in the SWOT
(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities,
Threats) approach?
 Cont’d. 6

What is the management style of Mr. X,

the head operations department?
 Cont’d. 7

What is the turnover rate of the company?

How do you select and retain the best and
the brightest?
 Cont’d. 8

Why is the job position open? What

happened to the previous occupant of this
job?
 Cont’d. 9

Please tell me the career path of

employees, if any? How about the
workers for this vacant job?
 Cont’d. 10

What else can you tell me about workers

opportunities for career advancement?
 Cont’d. 11

Assuming good performance, how long

should I expect to occupy the position?