After spending weeks of sending out your resume to various companies, you finally received a call from a hiring manager for a one-on-one interview. Congratulations! Your chances of sealing the deal have increased.
But that’s not the end of it. After years of sifting through candidates with different personalities and skill sets, they have developed pet peeves that can automatically put your future in the company down the drain.
If you want to receive a callback, it’s best to avoid this number one pet peeve off their list: lack of preparation.
The purpose of an interview is for the hiring manager to determine if you’re cut out to be part of the company, and coming in unprepared is blatantly showing disrespect. At its essence, unpreparedness means that the candidate is not ready for the responsibilities of the job.
Lack of preparation can mean that you arrived without prior research about what the company is all about: what they do, how long they have been operating, and who their clients are. It’s one thing to be a little anxious when getting interviewed, but showing lack of confidence throughout the entire process can be a manifestation of lack of preparation. Remember that the person in front of you has been doing this for years, and he or she can easily spot candidates who are not in their A-game.
Apart from not knowing enough about a potential employer, being unprepared can also take on a number of forms. For starters, the hiring manager expects you to know the job description well since most of the questions will revolve around your capability to fulfill the task. When candidates are uncertain about their answers, they usually ramble and find it hard to make eye contact. These can be deal breakers for hiring managers.
Another indicator of lack of preparation is not asking questions. But this doesn’t mean you should ask any question that pops into your head. Make sure to ask intelligent and relevant questions which are not already stated in the job description or job advertisement.
Logistical unpreparedness is one of the top frustrations of hiring managers. This includes not dressing appropriately or forgetting to bring copies of your resume or any other requirements the hiring manager asked you to bring prior to the interview. Most importantly, coming in late, without calling in advance, not only shows that you lack foresight in even something as little as your commute. For potential employers, being late might translate to blatant disrespect for the others’ time.
All these evils that stem from lack of preparation can be avoided. How? By taking your time in doing your research. Don’t just blindly submit your resume to companies and pray for a call back. And when you do land an interview, your goal should be to make a good and lasting impression. Go the extra mile and research about the company’s competitors and take note of best practices. Squeeze any information you can find about the company, know who your supervisors will be, and prepare intelligent questions. Their time is important, so don’t waste it by being late. And exert effort on your appearance; act and dress professionally.
Do all these things so when you’re asked about why you are the best candidate for the job, you will leave no doubt that you really are.
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