When it comes to getting a job offer, it seems that most jobs are lost during the interview than at any other stage in the application process.
In a survey by Accountemps, a temporary staffing firm, more than 32% of CFOs who were surveyed said that the interview is where most mistakes by applicants were made. Compared to 28% who said the problem was with the resume, and only 10% cited reference checks as being the problem.
The best way to succeed in an interview is to be prepared with answers for most of the common questions an interviewer will ask. In fact, a survey by Harvard Business Review found that being articulate in an interview was more important than the actual answers to the questions. So, it seems that it is better to practice your answers so that you can deliver them with a minimum amount of verbal fumbling, even if the answers aren't perfect, than it is to stumble through great answers.
But, if you find that you have messed up an answer to a question or in some other way made a mistake during an interview, don't panic. There are still some ways to recover. Here are some of the tips Accountemps offered:
- Let it go – If you dwell on it, you will only draw more attention to your mistake. Instead, take a deep breath and focus on making the best impression during the rest of the interview.
- Take a minute – Pause for a moment to collect yourself and know that everyone makes mistake. It is your ability to recover and handle your mistakes gracefully that will impress an employer.
- Listen – Pay attention to the questions the interviewer is asking. This will give you an idea about who they are looking for. These clues will help you highlight your skills.
- Don't jump to conclusions – Just because you left thinking that you completely messed up the interview, doesn't mean that you actually did.
- Always follow-up – A nice thank you note can leave a positive thought in an employer's mind. Even if you made a mistake during the interview, it is likely that they don't even remember it. By following up, you have a chance to bring your name back into their mind and leave them with a positive.
What is the best interview advice you have received? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
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By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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