Five Things Not to Do in a Job Interview

Published June 10, 2009 @ 06:24AM PT

(Casually dressed guy playing it too cool. Photo credit: Billy Wuot)

1. Don't critique the technical approach of the organization you're interviewing with. People do this all the time, believe it or not. I think they are trying to demonstrate the depth of their technical knowledge and show they researched the organization. It's still a mistake. Your interviewer most likely takes pride in the organization, and your critique will not be appreciated.

2. Don't highlight your own flaws. I used to do this myself, to show how fair and honest I was. Now I know it just made me look like I didn't want the job.

3. Don't overstate your technical skills. If they hire you thinking you can use SPSS or train midwives to insert IUDs, and you can't, people will notice quickly, the organization will suffer, and you'll get fired. Faking it more dangerous in global health, where human lives depend on your skills. Focus on the skills you really do have; you want a job that will make use of them, not a job where you'll be constantly faking it and possibly harm people.

4. Don't play it cool. I know I said that different organizations have different cultures, but everyone wants employees who care about their work. Given the choice between two equally qualified candidates, I'll always take the one who is really excited about the job.

An actual example, contributed by Drew Conway via twitter. When asked why he wanted the job, the applicant answered "I don't really know; it was something people told me I should apply to." Drew's response was "You are not getting this job, and a bit of advice: In the future, only apply to ones for which you CAN answer that question."

5. Don't be too casual. I once suggested a friend of mine as a consultant for an agriculture project. He rolled into the interview in jeans, and treated everyone like old college buddies. It made my colleagues feel like he wasn't taking us seriously. It's easy to see a laid-back office and people wearing jeans and act too casually. That's an error. This is still a job interview. You are still being evaluated. They want to see your A game, and that includes formality.

If you get the job -whatever it is - there will be times when you need to meet with a local government official, an important donor, or the media. You'll need to act like an adult. Your interview is your chance to show that.

I am sure I missed things. Anyone have other suggestions for what not to do?

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Comments (3)

I am currently in search of a job. Ideally I would like to work in the education/non-profit sector, but am open to other opportunities and possibilities. I will say that I made the decision a few years back that I will never take a job that doesn't in some way benefit the community and/or the world/planet. From my own awkward experience, I suggest that when the interviewer asks if you, the interviewee, have any questions, don't say, "No, I think you pretty much covered everything..." This makes you seem like someone who either hasn't researched the job and/or the company, or is just doesn't care enough to ask pertinent questions. My problem is that this question always catches me off guard and I am left hanging trying to decide which questions to ask. I have asked questions about the "culture" of the company, what the company's mission/objective goal might be (put into the context that although I already know what the company does, might there be a mission or objective that hasn't been made obvious?), whether there is a mentoring system in place, how the "teamwork" environment functions, etc. etc. Anyone have any suggestions for some other generic but intelligent questions that might apply to any job?

Posted by Evie Romero Montoya on 06/10/2009 @ 07:03AM PT
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I've always abided by the rule: don't ask about salary in a first interview. The first interview is a chance for the organization to get to know you as a candidate and decide if you're right for them, and for you to get to know the organization and decide if it's right for you. It's not a time for discussing the particulars of compensation.

[However, you can and should frankly discuss salary in the second inteview and beyond. And when you're offered the job, even if it's a nonprofit, advocate for yourself when a salary is offered. Yes, you're working for the cause, and yes, you've decided to accept a lower salary bracket than other professions; but, that doesn't mean you are obliged to accept the first salary that is offered without negotiation. Be reasonable in your negotiation, but also be firm.]

With regard to Evie's comment above, I agree that you should always have extra questions to ask, even if your interviewers truly did cover everything. I've found it's effective to ask questions of your interviewers. Ask them how they got into their current positions or the field and what they think of their work. This not only allows them to talk about themselves (which everyone loves) and will hopefully create an air of more casual conversation, but you also might learn something about what they think of the organization.

Posted by Mark Overmann on 06/10/2009 @ 08:11AM PT
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Check out Facebook SCSU Career Services page. This has a ton of help!

Posted by Susan Larson on 06/10/2009 @ 11:57AM PT
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Author

Alanna Shaikh has spent the last ten years immersed in global health; she has worked for NGOs, companies, universities, and the US government on projects that ranged from preventing antibacterial resistance to improving maternal and child health.