Continued from Part 2.
#5. Shortcuts Never Last
This is self-explanatory but let me run a bit deeper into it. It is shameful that a lot of so-called thought leaders, coaches, HR experts and recruitment service companies suggest and aid in taking shortcuts. As these sort of things are widely available on the internet, many adopt them without even being aware that it could hurt their chances.
Some attend interviews oblivious to this while some consciously take shortcuts. Any competent and skillful interview panel is easily able to sniff out those who take shortcuts.
Some of the common and widely prevalent shortcuts are
- CV – Your CV has to be written by you. You can take professional help, but it has to be from you. Can you imagine that somebody has to pretend to be you to write your CV? Do you think that is possible? Yet, that is what most CV writers promise but can never deliver. There is no substitute for writing your own CV. Just do it. Here is an article that could help – Get Started on your Killer Resume/CV
- Imitate Answers – Do you search the internet at the last minute on how to answer the commonly asked interview questions? If the interview panel goes for spontaneous and out of the box questions, you are going to struggle to answer them. Your confidently regurgitated answers will not be able to save you for such questions. If you prepare genuinely you will be able to answer any question.
- Lack of Research – Many are not honest enough to admit that they did not research the company, industry, market or the role. However, some try to display that they are aware though they are not. This is one of the biggest embarrassment a candidate can face as you just can’t keep covering up things.
I can add several more. But, the point is to illustrate that shortcuts could short circuit your chances of succeeding in interviews. Just don’t be tempted to use them. Yes, Interview and Interview preparations are hard work. But, it is well worth it once you attain the job you love.
#6. Ignorance Does Not Impress
Let’s admit it. There is no one who knows it all. If you were one, you would rather be employing people and not go to a job interview. While there might be several interpretations to Ignorance, in this article, I want to rephrase the definition under the context of Interview to “Not knowing the basic things you should know”.
Please note the word “basic”. Be it lack of education, qualification, certification, knowledge, training or know-how on your work, field, skills, technology or etiquettes you do not get a second chance.
Ignorance creates a bad impression and when it slips up during the interview, it is difficult to rescue. It is a killer. Ignorance will Hurt your Success.
How will it sound if as an HR Manager you do not know the mandatory labour laws or as a VP Marketing you do not know which channels yield what results? Or as a Project Manager, you do not know the project methodology your company adopts?
Yet, many go handicapped to interviews being well aware that they have not taken the efforts and time to prepare.
If you do not know a particular subject/topic/expertise/etiquette take efforts to figure out yourself. If you can’t, don’t hesitate to take professional help. We are not expected to know everything but can always take the help of professionals or Experts. The money you spend on it will be well worth as you not only learn something new that you can keep for life but also succeed in the interview and get your investment back multiple times.
When you don’t know something, don’t take your chances and say “maybe they will not ask it” or the interview structure does not include that. You don’t want to be in for a surprise.
#7. Slay Procrastination to Win
We all face this on several walks of life. Most of the times it is not intentional at all. There is simply too much to do – Day job (which is never 9 to 5), family, relationships, hobby, time constraints, chores, business travel, duties, commitments etc. You are barely keeping your head above the water. I get it.
When it comes to Interview and Interview preparations, there are lots of activities that need to be fulfilled – Reference, updated CV, Research, Interview preparations, Reflection, Coaching etc. When you procrastinate and prepare for the Interview preparation in rush, haste and pressure – it adds stress which is not a good thing for being your best.
Your intentions are great and you want to sincerely prepare for the interview. Yet, without action, your good intention will not bear any fruit.
Discipline will power and self-motivation are needed to beat it. Just plunge and do it. No one said it is easy. You could always prepare early and then go and do other things should you have time.
Conclusion
I hope this series will help you to approach interviews in a more confident and successful manner. The next time you attend an interview do not forget to remember the following
- Understand who you are
- What you believe is what you display
- You “have to be” in order “to be”
- Competitive advantage is won every single day
- Shortcuts never last
- Ignorance does not impress
- Slay procrastination to win
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