My interviews were going really well and I was expecting an offer but the recruiter said I talked myself out of a job… Unfortunately we have had to give this news to a couple of candidates in recent months as well so it is time for a friendly reminder on WHAT NOT TO DO to undermine your own chances in the interview process:

1. Don’t let Technology speak for you.
   --Email and text messaging is great for confirming appointments and yes or no responses and a quick thank you note, but it can be the death knoll on your job process if you use it to try and convey concepts, in depth questions and/or concerns to your perspective employer. The problem with this form of communication is there is no way to gage tone or attitude. Email and blackberry texts, by their very nature, are often written in short hand, between meetings or while waiting at airports and their meaning can be misconstrued as abrupt, impolite, overly aggressive and/or just weird. If you want to express something really important, pick up the phone or convey it in person.



2. “Tell me the time, not how the clock is built.”
   This age old expression is particularly true in the interview process. On phone interviews, remember you have no eye contact to gage your listener’s interest. Keep your answers brief and follow up with, “Does that answer your question or do you want me to elaborate”. On site, keep in mind, if you talk more than your interviewer, you can be perceived as lecturing instead of having a constructive dialog. Don’t talk yourself out the door.



3. Stay on your toes.
   Some people have the tendency to get overly confident in the middle of the interview process and getting too comfortable with the interviewers. Whether it slouching in the chair or discussing personal stories, you may leave a lasting and unfavorable impression without ever knowing it. Even after you have an offer from an employer, they are still watching your behavior and how you negotiate the terms of your deal as signs of how you will be as a leader and potential peer.

Hopefully, these pointers, which come from other candidate’s experiences will help you going forward to a successful job search.

Good Luck!

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