Costly Errors in Interviews That May Prevent You From Securing Your Ideal Employment Opportunity
Job hunting in the fiercely competitive tech market of 2024 is a grueling task, with an average of 247 days and 294 applications needed to secure a position. Even business leaders seeking to transition face this struggle. The relentless process, combined with repeated setbacks and silence, often leads to candidates stumbling during interviews. Here are five common interview hurdles and strategies to overcome them.
1. Anxiety and Nervousness
Job interviews, it seems, are scarier than a first date or a trip to the dentist. Interviewers report feeling their minds turning to mush, freezing under pressure, and struggling to articulate thoughts clearly.
Tackle it:- Repetition: Practice mock interviews to build muscle memory.- Breathing techniques: Try the 4-7-8 breathing method to regulate nerves before and during the interview.- Mindset shift: Frame the interview as a conversation instead of a test, reminding yourself that it's also an opportunity for you to evaluate the company.
2. Drawing a Blank
Despite preparing thoroughly, some candidates find themselves unable to answer questions when the pressure is on.
Tackle it:- Pausing and pivoting: Take a moment to gather your thoughts. Phrases like "Let me think for a second" can buy time without awkward silence.- STAR method: Use the Situation, Task, Action, and Result (STAR) framework to structure your answers.- Keyword anchors: Prepare a few key phrases or concepts you can mentally lean on when feeling stuck.
3. Overexplaining and Rambling
In an effort to showcase their expertise, some candidates tend to ramble or overexplain, which can dilute their message and make them appear unfocused.
Tackle it:- Practicing concise responses: Stick to the 30-second rule to ensure your answers stay clear and to the point.- Active listening: Focus on the interviewer's questions rather than rushing to fill the silence.- Structuring responses: Break answers into parts to avoid overwhelming the interviewer with unnecessary details.
4. Stuttering and Losing Train of Thought
Even the most confident candidates stumble over words or lose their train of thought during interviews.
Tackle it:- Slowing down: Speak slower to minimize stuttering and improve enunciation.- Bridging statements: Use phrases like "Let me reframe that" or "To clarify my point" when losing your train of thought.- Building confidence through visualization: Imagine yourself acing the interview to reinforce positive outcomes.
5. Loss of Confidence Mid-Interview
A difficult question or unexpected turn in the conversation can shake a candidate's confidence.
Tackle it:- Anticipating the unexpected: Have a strategy for handling unknown questions, such as breaking them down into manageable parts.- Staying positive: Remember that not every answer needs to be perfect; interviews are about showcasing your problem-solving ability.- Seeking feedback: After interviews, reflect on areas of improvement and reinforce the positives to build future confidence.
Interviewing is a skill that takes time to perfect, and setbacks are part of the journey. With sufficient preparation and self-awareness, job seekers can approach their interviews with greater confidence and a clearer strategy for success.
Are you a world-class CIO, CTO, or technology executive? Join the Forbes Technology Council - an invitation-only community of top technology thought leaders.
Michael Guan, a business leader transitioning into the tech industry, recalled numerous setbacks during his job hunt, including stuttering during interviews months ago.
During a recent interview, the interviewer noticed Guan freezing under pressure, struggling to articulate his thoughts clearly, a common hurdle many job candidates face.
To overcome such challenges, Guan began practicing repetition of mock interview questions, using the 4-7-8 breathing method to regulate his nerves, and reframing the interview as a conversation instead of a test. These strategies helped him achieve a smoother and more confident performance in subsequent interviews.