I recently read an article by Kera Greene and Barbara Frankel, both career coaches who contributed to the book “Acing the Interview: How to Ask and Answer Questions That Will Get You The Job!” The article was posted on Hotjobs and Yahoo and it listed 5 myths to avoid when interviewing for a job. Although I found some of the information helpful, there were other tips that I know from experience, will completely derail your chances.
Myth 1
They wanted to debunk an applicant’s need to wait until the end of the interview to ask your question.
The article states: “For example, Frankel says, if the interviewer says, ‘Tell me about yourself,’ you first respond to that question and complete your response with a question like, ‘Can you tell me more about the position?’ The interview should be a dialogue.”
I completely disagree. If you try this tactic with certain personality types, you will be escorted to the door quicker than Michael Phelps in 100 meter freestyle. Use your interpersonal skills to feel your audience. If the interviewer is skilled, he/she will allow for an opening. Do not make the mistake of trying to own the interview or talk over your audience. Acing the interview requires a two way street and you need to share the dialogue in a professional manner.
Myth 2
They try to debunk how to answer the question “Tell me one of your weaknesses.”
The article states, “One such ‘good flaw’ which is often recommended is: ‘I am too committed to my work.’ But, these kinds of responses will only hurt you.”
I disagree once again. Obviously you want to be honest with the interviewer because your body language will give you away if you are not. However, if your flaw or weakness is that you find it hard to delegate, or that you tend to take on a lot of responsibility, provide that as your answer, as long as it is an honest response. These are good flaws to share when acing the interview because they demonstrate your commitment. Make sure you have references or testimonials to support it.
Acing the interview requires preparation, confidence and the ability to relate to your audience. If you found this information helpful, I encourage you to comment on this blog post and to continue coming back for more tips and methods to get the best fit job for you.
