Good Resume, But Poor Interview, Why?

In a new survey by Accountemps, US CFOs were asked to list the part of the job application process where candidates made the most mistakes. It was discovered that jobseekers today are better at writing résumés than several years ago, but we need to develop stronger interview skills. So what are some of the mistakes taking place during the interview?

• Candidates volunteer information beyond the interviewer’s question. 

When a candidate volunteers irrelevant information, they run the risk of talking themselves out of a job offer. I have heard candidates talk about unnecessary topics during a interview, including their change in prescriptions for depression. That is the last thing an employer wants to hear about, and will not increase your professional presence. In addition to volunteering inappropriate information, candidates run the risk of rambling in response to an interviewer's question. I have listened while a candidate elaborates on a question until the interviewer has heard their life history except why the candidate would be the best employee.

• Candidates constantly shake their leg through the entire interview. 

Some candidates will sit through the interview and bounce their leg, or legs, through the whole of it. Even to the point that the seismic station at the University of Utah registers a small earthquake! This is very distracting and an employer doesn't want an employee that would cause other employee’s or customers to be on edge.

• Candidates fail to answer questions with direct answer or with the SAR method

The SAR method is Situation – Action – Result (SAR) method. During the interview a candidate will be asked a question that takes them by surprise and their first reaction is to begin talking before they have given the question a little thought. What generally happens is the candidate ends up talking a lot without giving an answer to the question.

The best thing to do if you are faced with an unexpected question is to pause and then answer the question using the SAR method. This is done by giving an example of a Situation you faced, the Action you took to resolve the situation, and Results of your action.

Image courtesy of Ambo / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The results of this survey show that many candidates just need help with more than just their resume. If you are still not getting the results you want after a professionally written resume, consider hiring or finding a job coach to give you feedback on how to improve your presence in the interview to seal the deal.

For more information on doing a great interview follow this link;

The job interview is still the biggest stumbling block for job-seekers