You’ve tweaked your resume and portfolio to near perfection. You submitted great written answers for the initial job application and now here you are sitting in the lobby, scrolling through social media, waiting to meet your potential employer.
When your name is called, you stuff your phone in your bag. You didn’t print off a copy of your resume so you’ve got to pull it up on your tablet. All seems to be going fairly well until your phone pings and buzzes.
Research from The Creative Group found 77% of those surveyed said they would stop considering a candidate if the person used their phone during the interview. That could be glancing, shutting off an interrupting ring, or reaching out to silence a vibration. “Just remember to shut the phone off so those interruptions don’t happen,” said Deborah Bottineau, senior regional manager of The Creative Group. “That’s a deal breaker. It speaks to the fact that you’re not prepared.”
When 400 advertising and marketing executives were asked what they considered to be a deal breaker during an interview with a job candidate, more than three quarters (77%) listed answering the phone, 70% said showing up late without acknowledging it, 70% also said not bringing required items, 69% said not wearing proper interview clothes, and 62% said speaking poorly about a past job or employer.
“You would think they would be obvious, but you would be absolutely surprised how many people forget these basics,” Bottineau said. Young professionals spend a lot of time prepping their digital and written aspects of applications, but they do not spend nearly enough time preparing for the actual interview. Get there early. Wear professional clothing even if you know the environment is relaxed.
“How you present yourself face-to-face can make or break you,” she said. Practice answering interview questions out loud beforehand and try and keep in mind how you react under pressure. “Articulating on paper is one thing, but articulating in an interview is very different.”
Bottineau has additional advice for job seekers:
Stay upbeat
“Exuding a positive energy is so important,” she says. “Even if you are discouraged or frustrated, psych yourself up and bring a good attitude.”
Do your research
Bottineau suggested researching the company beforehand and having some questions prepared for your interviewer.
Respect the process
“It’s nice to follow up and say thank you, but you’ve got to be careful because you don’t want to overstep.”
“Your interview begins the minute you step into the building,” Bottineau said. That includes how you greet the receptionist, how you hold yourself, whether or not you make eye contact, even what you do while you’re waiting. “You don’t go to school to learn how to interview. It really is an art.”
