1. Not taking the interview seriously: Don't make the mistake of thinking the interview is just a formality. Even if all the preliminaries have gone well, don't be cavalier and start imagining how you'll start spending your new salary. The biggest error you can make is to assume that, because you've gotten this far, the job is in the bag.




2. Dressing down: How you present yourself during your initial meeting with a potential employer is very important, and your physical appearance can speak volumes to someone who is meeting you for the first time. Even if you know that the firm allows employees to wear jeans, don't sabotage yourself by showing up to the interview in casual clothing. Err on the side of conservative and show up in neat, professional clothing, preferably a business suit.



3. Not showing why you're the best choice: Be familiar with the job description of the position you're interviewing for so you can illustrate how your experience, abilities, and strengths are in line with the company's needs. Many potential employers want to know why they should hire you specifically. Make it clear to them.




4. Being too modest: Failing to talk yourself up during an interview is one of the most self-defeating mistakes you can make. This is not the time for humility, so sing your praises! Don't be afraid to talk up everything you've accomplished, whether in school or in previous companies. This is your time to shine.




5. Talking too much: Be careful not to talk over the interviewer. This meeting should be a two-way conversation, and many interviewees cover up their nervousness by blathering on. Sit calmly and listen carefully, answering questions thoughtfully.




6. Focusing on the funds: Don't start talking about money too soon into the interview. Focusing on your salary requirements and previous salary history right off the bat may cause you to reveal too much. While the topic of salary will certainly come up, follow the interviewer' s lead. He or she may be saving that topic for a later conversation.




7. Trash talking: Even if you hated your former boss or felt you were treated unfairly by your previous employer, a job interview is not the place to launch into a litany of complaints. Don't go there. If you were laid off or fired from a previous position, be prepared with an explanation that puts a positive spin on the circumstances.




8. Failing to ask questions: Your résumé may be impressive on paper, but employers also appreciate a candidate who can ask several intelligent questions during an interview. Prepare at least 3 or 4 questions in advance to ask the interviewer. Interviews are an exchange of information, and not having questions to ask can reveal a lack of preparation.




9. Lack of enthusiasm: This is your first and sometimes only chance to showcase your personality. Don't walk in announcing how you're having a bad day. Be polite and upbeat. Show your enthusiasm for both the job and the opportunity to interview for it. And don't forget to thank the person at the end of the interview!




10. Forgetting the follow-up: Make sure to send a handwritten thank-you note or polite email to the interviewer expressing gratitude for his or her time and consideration. And while you don't want to start calling the company on a daily basis, a phone call checking in a week after the interview is perfectly acceptable.

good stuff-wish more folks would read this before i had to interview em...lol

On my last job interview I flew from Denver to Michigan. I had never traveled for a job interview before and was nervous about keeping my suit wrinkle free. As soon as I arrived they had me hang it up in a locker and put on hospital scrubs, before I met anyone on the interview committee. I was disappointed as I knew I looked good in the suit.

Any suggestions for group interviews?

I found it difficult to establish any rapport. I later found out the entire interview was scripted, and one member of the group was nodding off during the interview.

Good basic list. I agree with most of these things.

11. i have a bomb strapped to my chest, im i gonna get the job or not.!!

Now adays this is the only way

i hearya.

I wish i got as far as an interview!

Helpful Tips for the Group Interviews:

Think of a group interview as a time to show off your interpersonal skills. Group interviews are growing in popularity. This means that you may show up for your interview to discover that there are four other candidates meeting with the hiring manager at the same time. When a potential employer interviews you along with other people, it is an opportunity for the manager to see how you interact with others under pressure. This type of interview may seem incredible stressful, but it can also be a way to illustrate your interpersonal and communication skills. The following will discuss ways to make a great impression during a group interview.




1. Think about three skills that are needed for the position that you are applying for. Before the interview, think of ways that you can show that you have these skills. Be prepared to give examples of times that you used these skills in an effective manner.


2. Group interviews can involve not only several candidates, but also different managers. Try to determine what each manager is looking for in an employee. Show equal respect to all hiring personnel, even if you know who the ultimate decision maker is.


3. If the interview is an open dialogue format, be sure that you speak up. However, never interrupt someone else. Make sure that you speak up, wait your turn to speak and do not dominate the entire interview.


4. You may feel tempted to answer questions quickly before the other applicants can respond. This will almost always lead to inappropriately worded answers. Waiting until the others have answered is far better than blurting out an ill-phrased response.


5. It is likely that someone answering a question before you will respond in the same way that you were going to. You must expect this and be prepared for it. Instead of changing your answer simply to
throw out an original response, think of a statement or point that adds to the first person's answer. This will show the manager that you have good listening skills and that you can remain calm under pressure.


6. During the interview, the manager may give the applicant group tasks to complete. This is a way to see who takes charge, who follows instructions, and how other respond to a person's attempt at leadership. Even if you are a follower by nature, be prepared to take the lead and show your potential employer your leadership and managerial skills.


7. Be sure to ask the hiring manager insightful, meaningful questions. This shows that you have done research in the company and that you are truly interested in the position. Be sure to be familiar with the job description and the company before the interview.


"ALL THE BEST FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF JOB HUNTING AND THE SUCCESSFUL JOB INTERVIEWS. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE'THERE IS WILL THERE IS A WAY OUT, INDEED. IF YOU INVOLVE IN ANY PROJECT OR A PROCESS, IT TAKES TIME TO GET IT DONE AND THIS TIME IS NOT WASTED BUT BRINGS IN, A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN OUR OWN LIVES THAT MOST OF THE TIME GET US OUT FROM THE COMFORT ZONE AND THE MIND SET LIFE STYLE"

On my last job interview I flew from Denver to Michigan. I had never traveled for a job interview before and was nervous about keeping my suit wrinkle free. As soon as I arrived they had me hang it up in a locker and put on hospital scrubs, before I met anyone on the interview committee. I was disappointed as I knew I looked good in the suit.

Any suggestions for group interviews?

I found it difficult to establish any rapport. I later found out the entire interview was scripted, and one member of the group was nodding off during the interview.

Read up on the company, nothing worse than the interviewer asking "So, do you know what we do, our history etc." I was flummoxed when I started work at a company and we spent the first week learning about the company from the bottom up. That the chain of stores was started by two brothers, why they have those specific lettering on their bar-code...............

I was the only one being interviewed at that time. The 'group' members were other employees on the interview committee. They can give input to the manager, but the manager makes the hiring decision.

Yes it was very stressful. And the fact that all the questions were scripted (I found out later) made me question why bother having these people take time from their work to ask me some else's questions, not their own questions. If it was designed to provoke stress and see how I react under pressure it worked.

Advice for women:Avoid wearing short skirts, see-through tops, skin tight leggins etc............You don't get the job but you come away with the "tart" label firmly stuck to your back!

UNLESS U are applying for a job that I am doing the hiring

Wait a mo..........On my way.

#11 Do your homework. Look on the company website. Know their mission statement/goals/future projections. This may seen a little over the top for a simple position, but might impress the interviewer when you ask a some-what specific question about the company.

#12 Be nice to the receptionist. Your attitude to the support staff can make or break if you are offered a position.

Great topic ((((frank))))!

Good topic Frank,have a good day

The suit thing is kinda weird...but as for the interview itself - I STRONGLY support this style of interview and use it in my own hiring. It is 'transparent' in terms of hiring practices, perceptions and is DEFENDABLE should someone charge the hiring company with discriminatory practices of if there is ever an EEO issue (you CAN hire outside of your underutilized demographic if you have a way to show you haven't bucked the law.)

That said...know that everyone is getting the SAME QUESTIONS, the questions are weighted, and your responses are being evaluated on a numeric scale that will be put into a matrix. The questions are generally phrased to make you think - we can read your resume for your qualifications in terms of knowledge/skills...what the interviewers want to hear is how you deal with conflict, pressure, multi-tasking, time management, etc. Listen very closely to the question and read between the lines. Make eye contact with every person at the table (the sleepy guy in your interview was a dufus and not professional, obviously!) Learn to love these interviews because they are becoming more and more popular and you are likely to be in one again.

Hope that is some insight for anyone looking for a job and finding themselves in a panel interview situation...