9 Body Language Blunders That Will Cost You The Interview

Congratulations! You've made the shortlist with your nearly-flawless resume, an impressive cover letter, and - in some instances - a few inside connections to land that coveted interview. However, in 5 minutes or less, easily 50% of interviewers can determine if you are the ideal candidate for the job. In many cases, body language slip-ups can deliver the wrong message in the interviewer's mind. Even the most talented candidates can lose out if they commit any of these mistakes!

BLUNDER #1 - Bad posture. Leaning back is interpreted as lazy or arrogant, leaning too far forward is viewed as aggressive, and slouching is just lazy. Instead, aim for a neutral position where you sit tall as if a string was connecting your head to the ceiling. Sitting up straight and squaring your shoulders makes you appear confident.

BLUNDER #2 - Breaking eye contact. People can feel uncomfortable maintaining eye contact, when a personal connection with you has not yet been established. Don't stare. Instead, try to hold the interviewer's gaze for one extra second before breaking away. Do this especially when shaking hands.

BLUNDER #3 - Crossing your arms. Arms crossed over your chest convey defensiveness and resistance. Instead, aim to uncross your arms, and position them relaxed at your sides. You will appear more approachable.

BLUNDER #4 - Fidgeting. Stop this NOW! This nervous energy is guaranteed to distract the interviewer. You want them focused on what you have to say - not the coins jingling in your pocket or the hangnail on your finger. You can ask a friend to conduct a mock interview with you. Better yet, reach out to this Certified Employment Interview Professional, who will give you honest feedback about any nervous gestures you may unconsciously be making.

Don't Encourage Suspicion

BLUNDER #5 - Displaying mismatched expressions. If your speaking tone doesn't match your facial expression, you won't be taken seriously. If the interviewer asks you what you're most passionate about and your face is deadpan when you answer, you won't be believable.

BLUNDER #6 - Shifting your eye movements. Distracted or upward eye movements can suggest that you are lying or not sure of yourself. It's important to look at the interviewer directly in the eye, so that you express confidence and certainty.

BLUNDER #7 - Shaking hands too strongly. A firm handshake makes a solid first impression, but don't overdo it! When shaking hands with your interviewer for the first time, you want your grip to be firm - but don't crush their hand.

BLUNDER #8 - Shaking hands too weakly. A limp-fish handshake is even worse than a too-strong one. This unwillingness to give a firm handshake is interpreted as a lack of confidence - traits that the interviewer would rather see in a promising new employee.

BLUNDER #9 - Not smiling. Blank-faced candidates fail in interviews. Who wants to work with someone who looks grumpy all the time? Instead, keep in mind that when you smile, you seem warm and friendly. As a bonus, smiling can even calm down your interview jitters.

Avoid making the above-mentioned interview mistakes, and you are sure to avert body-language interview disaster. To learn how to ace the interview... read more...

The 7 Most Common Interview Mistakes

How to Stand Out from the Crowd

Congratulations on landing the interview! You DEFINITELY want to know what mistakes to avoid so that you can better position yourself for the coveted job offer.

Mistake #1: Placing total focus on salary and showing interest only in the best dollar offer.
The Reality: Hiring decision-makers initially want to know what you can do for their company instead of the other way around.

Mistake #2: Going into the interview and paying little or no attention to your personal appearance.
The Reality: Although business casual is the rule rather than the exception these days, men should stay away from wearing polo shirts, shorts, and running shoes. Women should refrain from wearing excessive jewelry, too much hair product, and make-up. And both sexes should avoid wearing too much cologne, ripped clothing, and piercings other than just 1 pair of earrings. Hiring decision-makers believe that if you're going to pay so little attention to your appearance, this will reflect in your work ethic.

Mistake #3: Demonstrating passiveness and/or indifference in the interview.
The Reality: Hiring decision-makers will interpret a lack of interest or enthusiasm on your part, as YOUR lack of interest in the job you want.

Mistake #4: Verbally condemning past employers.
The Reality: Hiring decision-makers will form the impression that you have a grudge to bear and could say nasty things about their company.

Mistake #5: Arriving late for the interview.
The Reality: Traffic jams, car breakdowns, and behind-schedule buses and subways are unacceptable excuses for hiring decision-makers.

Mistake #6: Flubbing the "Why do you want to work here?" question.
The Reality: True story: One job-seeker actually said to a potential employer, "Please tell me who you work for. I have sent out so many applications that I've forgotten the names of the companies I have applied for." As a result, the potential employer thought, "If you - dear Job Seeker - can't be bothered to take the time to prepare for an interview, then how badly will you function in this job?"

Mistake #7: Telling the interview panel that you are nervous and ill at ease.
The Reality: They already know that an interview can produce stress. However, by revealing these feelings to a prospective employer, they will think you are incapable of doing the job.

Armed with this "insider knowledge" on how to correct these mistakes, you now stand a better chance of "jumping to the head of the line" and receiving a job offer! To maximize your chances of getting an offer for the job you want... read more...

Top 5 Must-Know Interview Types… Revealed!

Long gone are the days when you can expect to land the job after just one in-person interview. In-person interviews still exist. However, new-hire screening is more competitive and rigorous than ever. You MUST know how to answer such questions as, "Why do you want to work for our company?", "What are your strengths?", and "What are your weaknesses?" (To find out how to properly do so, reach out to this Certified Employment Interview Professional.)

You must also be aware that hiring decision-makers can now interview you via:

INTERVIEW TYPE #1: THE TRADITIONAL (IN-PERSON) INTERVIEW
Some Advantages:
- The interviewer can collect data in greater detail.
- The interviewer can better identify and understand your facial expressions and body language.
- The interviewee can fully participate.
Some Disadvantages:
- These interviews can be time-consuming.
- Interviewees may incur out-of-pocket expenses if they need to travel to another city or town.

INTERVIEW TYPE #2: THE SKYPE INTERVIEW
Some Advantages:
- The company saves money on bringing out-of-town candidates into the interview.
- The interview process goes faster.
- The company can access international talent.
- The interviewer can see who he/she is interviewing.
- The interviewer can easily gauge body language and facial expressions.
- The interviewer can see the interviewee's surroundings and determine their character based on the chosen location.
Some Disadvantages:
- There is no guarantee that the interviewee has a webcam or the right software.
- Technical problems could occur.

INTERVIEW TYPE #3: THE VIDEO TELECONFERENCE INTERVIEW
Some Advantages:
- The company saves money on bringing out-of-town candidates into the interview.
- The interview process goes faster.
- The company can access international talent.
- The interviewer can see who he/she is interviewing.
- The interviewer can easily gauge body language and facial expressions.
- The interviewer can see the interviewee's surroundings and determine their character based on the chosen location.
Some Disadvantages:
- Studio lights can get very hot, and the last thing the interviewee wants to do is visibly sweat in the interview!
- The interviewee must have Internet access, a functioning webcam, and the right software.
- Technical problems could materialize.

INTERVIEW TYPE #4: THE PHONE INTERVIEW
Some Advantages:
- The interviewee can chat in a place where they are most comfortable.
- The interviewee no longer has to worry about traveling to the interview.
- The interviewee can access notes without the interviewer noticing.
Some Disadvantages:
- It is more difficult to meaningfully connect and build rapport.
- The interviewee can't see how the interviewer may respond to answers given.
- Telephone interviews are shorter than in-person interviews; as a result, the interviewee has less time to "sell" themselves.
- The interviewer cannot see the interviewee's body language and/or facial expressions.

INTERVIEW TYPE #5: THE GROUP INTERVIEW (WITH MULTIPLE INTERVIEWERS)
Some Advantages:
- The interviewee has more opportunities to take notes while others talk.
- All key people meet at the same time.
- The interviewee gets a chance to meet everyone involved.
Some Disadvantages:
- The interviewee could be overwhelmed when faced with more than one person in the interview.
- Interviewers could interrupt each other.
- The risk of disagreement exists.

To help you better prepare for each type of interview, consider retaining a Certified Employment Interview Professional.

How to Spot Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn how to Ace The Interview...

In the interview, you are sure to encounter behavioral interviewing questions. Why? Because they work! The premise is that past behavior is the best indicator of future performance.

In addition, your competencies influence your behavior. Competencies are capabilities, skills, and talents that make the behavior(s) easy or enjoyable to perform. Although employers want their employees to possess dozens of key competencies, listed below are 8 of the most common (in no particular order):

- Analytical skills
- Communication skills (verbal / written / interpersonal)
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Initiative, drive, and energy
- Planning and prioritization skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Teamwork skills
- Technical and technology skills

Recognizing & Responding

You can spot behavioral interview questions through such introductory phrases as:

- Tell me about a time when you …
- Describe a situation where you …
- Give me an example of …
- In the past, how have you handled … ?

After this introductory question, be prepared for such probing questions as:

- What was your specific role?
- Who else was involved?
- How did you decide which task to do first?
- Looking back, how would you approach that situation today?

Avoid making vague statements, giving opinions, or offering theoretical or future-oriented statements when responding to questions like these.

Also be on the look-out for such career-specific questions as, "As an accountant, describe a time when you encountered unethical accounting practices. How did you handle this?" Employers look at the behaviors of top performers in similar positions to identify career-specific competencies. If you want to move forward in your career, model yourself after top performers in your field.

A knowledgeable interview coach can help you deliver the right responses to any of the above-mentioned questions... Here's how...