Infographic: The Dos and Don’ts of Job Interviews

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Getting a job interview for a job that you really want can be an exciting prospect. Job hunting is often frustrating, and by the time you finally get that call back it can seem like a miracle. At that point your frustration is far from over—you still have the long road of interviewing and final negotiations to go. If you want to make it to the negotiating and hiring phase, you’ll want to brush up on your interviewing skills long before you get that first call.

Getting a job interview for a job that you really want can be an exciting prospect. Job hunting is often frustrating, and by the time you finally get that call back it can seem like a miracle. At that point your frustration is far from over—you still have the long road of interviewing and final negotiations to go. If you want to make it to the negotiating and hiring phase, you’ll want to brush up on your interviewing skills long before you get that first call.

Getting a Job Is a Process

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Often, long before you ever hear from a potential employer they have already screened you. A Google search of your name is often step one, followed by careful analysis of your social media pages. If you are trying to get a job and not hearing anything back, check your online reputation first to see if anything there makes you look less than professional.

Often, long before you ever hear from a potential employer they have already screened you. A Google search of your name is often step one, followed by careful analysis of your social media pages. If you are trying to get a job and not hearing anything back, check your online reputation first to see if anything there makes you look less than professional.

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Next, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and your resume is in order. These are the two things that will differentiate you most from the other candidates for your job. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, make one today—most prospective employers pay closer attention to your LinkedIn profile these days than they do your resume. Cover letters don’t hurt but most employers consider them to be obsolete - 58% of both younger and older workers no longer send cover letters when applying for a job.

Next, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and your resume is in order. These are the two things that will differentiate you most from the other candidates for your job. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, make one today—most prospective employers pay closer attention to your LinkedIn profile these days than they do your resume. Cover letters don’t hurt but most employers consider them to be obsolete - 58% of both younger and older workers no longer send cover letters when applying for a job.

Interviewing Is More Important Than Ever

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People are changing jobs fairly frequently these days. The average time spent at a job goes up the older you get, but people in their early 20s keep a job an average of only 1.3 years, while those between 25 and 34 keep a job an average of 2.8 years. At the same time, recruiters and HR professionals are having a difficult time finding qualified candidates to fill their open positions. Unemployment is down, so there are fewer people to choose from, and candidates aren’t answering their emails likely because they have already found other positions. Employers are less likely to extend an offer of employment if they feel they may get burned, so it’s up to you to make a great and lasting impression.

People are changing jobs fairly frequently these days. The average time spent at a job goes up the older you get, but people in their early 20s keep a job an average of only 1.3 years, while those between 25 and 34 keep a job an average of 2.8 years. At the same time, recruiters and HR professionals are having a difficult time finding qualified candidates to fill their open positions. Unemployment is down, so there are fewer people to choose from, and candidates aren’t answering their emails likely because they have already found other positions. Employers are less likely to extend an offer of employment if they feel they may get burned, so it’s up to you to make a great and lasting impression.

Dos and Don’ts of Interviewing

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There are some time-tested things you should and shouldn’t do in a job interview. Some of the don’ts include:

There are some time-tested things you should and shouldn’t do in a job interview. Some of the don’ts include:

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  Dressing too casually—better to be overdressed than underdressed.

  Dressing too casually—better to be overdressed than underdressed.

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  Exaggerating your experience or talent.

  Exaggerating your experience or talent.

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  Arriving late or too early—10-15 minutes beforehand is the window you should be going for.

  Arriving late or too early—10-15 minutes beforehand is the window you should be going for.

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  Being distracted—don’t even think about looking at your phone.

  Being distracted—don’t even think about looking at your phone.

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  Talking negatively about yourself.

  Talking negatively about yourself.

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  Asking how much the job pays before an offer is made.

  Asking how much the job pays before an offer is made.

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The dos of an interview can be more of a moving target. It’s important to:

The dos of an interview can be more of a moving target. It’s important to:

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  Thoroughly research the company you are applying to.

  Thoroughly research the company you are applying to.

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  Show enthusiasm for the sector and your potential position.

  Show enthusiasm for the sector and your potential position.

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  Showcase your conversation and interpersonal skills.

  Showcase your conversation and interpersonal skills.

Are You Ready for Your Next Career Move?

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Taking a little bit of time to prepare for an interview shows that you are a thoughtful job candidate. Learn more about the dos and don’ts of interviewing from this infographic!

Taking a little bit of time to prepare for an interview shows that you are a thoughtful job candidate. Learn more about the dos and don’ts of interviewing from this infographic!