Tune In To 7 Ways To Turn Interviewers Off

You go in for an interview for a job that you are perfectly qualified for, maybe even slightly overqualified.

You feel like the interview is going well. You have answers to all of the questions, and your qualifications and salary requirements perfectly match what they are looking for.

Suddenly, you feel a shift in the air. This is your 10th interview in 11 days, so you know when it has happened. It could be the slightest nod of the interviewer, or an awkward smile, but you know you have just screwed something up. You are not sure what you have done, but you know you have done something.

You might have hit a raw nerve with the interviewer, a pet peeve that may or may not be your fault. Remember, this is probably the 10th interview they have done that day, and many of the candidates are probably just as qualified as you, so they are looking for any reason to check you off the list.

To help job hunters, Monster.com recently came out with a list of seven common pet peeves that interviewers have, along with some tips on how to avoid them:

Smells: Too Much Of A Good Smell Can Be Bad

One interviewer told Monster.com about a woman who doused herself with too much perfume for an interview, and it happened to be the same perfume his ex-girlfriend used to wear.

So, before you spray on that cologne or perfume, remember that a little goes a long way, and it’s best not to show up for an interview smelling like you are picking up your date for the eighth-grade dance.

Communication: Too Little Leaves Interviewers Exasperated

It is important to come ready to talk about yourself. For someone who is shy this can be a difficult thing, especially if the job does not require communication skills. It could be a graveyard shift where you will be working all alone, but it is still important to let the interviewer know who you are and where you are coming from.

Also, be ready to ask questions. You may be shy, but this is your chance to show the interviewer you are smart, prepared and truly interested in the job. Monster.com suggests these tips to know the proper questions to ask:

• If you are interviewing with the hiring manager, ask questions about the job, the desired qualities and the challenges.
• If you are interviewing with the human resources manager, ask about the company and the department.
• If you are interviewing with management, ask about the industry and future projections. This is your chance to demonstrate your industry knowledge.

Communication: Too Much Can Be Too Much

We all know someone who talks too much, like a neighbor who always seems to catch you at the mailbox and talk non-stop for 20 minutes. The last thing you want to do is remind the interviewer of that overly-talkative person they know.

Some people talk a lot when they get nervous. To help, Monster.com suggests keeping yourself on a clock and answering each question in less than two or three minutes.

Lack of Focus: Results In Losing The Interviewer

It’s important to relax, not get stuck in tunnel vision and focus on the interviewer. A good interview morphs into a conversation instead of a series of questions and answers. Monster.com says it is important not to just save your questions until the end. Relating one answer to another and asking clarifying and follow-up questions shows the interviewer that you are confident and not only focused on enduring the interview.

Averting Your Eyes: One Way To Avert An Offer

One interviewer told Monster.com that they tend to distrust someone who does not make eye contact. Some people are shy and prolonged eye contact can be a difficult thing to do. To help with this, Monster.com suggests looking into the person’s “third eye” above and between the person’s two eyes.

Slang And Street Speak: Leave Them On The Street

While it is important to relax and be yourself during an interview, it is also important not to relax too much. Slang words just don’t have a place in most business environments.

So, things like, “Dude, this has been a most excellent interview,” or, “Awesome meeting you, Bro,” probably will not help your chances. Also, Monster.com suggests avoiding “um, “like,” and “uh” between your words.

Deception: Little Lies Leave A Big Impression

After your tenth interview, you might get a little desperate. When desperation sets in, some people start to embellish their resume a little and tell some small lies in an interview.

Just remember, if the interviewer does not trust you, they are not going to hire you. Also, they are trained to look for lies on resumes and during interviews, especially if they frequently conduct interviews. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it can also help build trust.