Making a good impression on a hiring manager is crucial. The hiring manager is your bridge to getting a position and also a great contact to make for future opportunities. There are dozens of articles listing how to do this but not a lot on some major don’ts during an interview.
I sat down last week with Partners Jon Bartlett and Steve Laskin as well as Senior Director of Recruiting Asim Khan to discuss important mistakes people make when interviewing for a job. Here are three major things we think you should avoid when speaking with a hiring manager.
1. Negativity
It is common for hiring managers to ask a candidate questions about their current position as well as why they desire to leave that position. The worst thing you can do is talk negatively about your current job or anyone you work with. It is best to stay positive about all aspects of your job situation. The hiring manager may know someone you work with formerly or presently and discussing them in a negative manner is in bad taste.
2. Be wary of the questions you ask, or don’t ask.
One of the reasons for meeting with a hiring manager is to understand the job expectations and the culture of the company. It is your job to ask intelligent questions and get a better understanding of the opportunity. Not asking questions can make you seem uninterested in the position as well as unmemorable. Researching the position and company beforehand is an excellent idea and can better prepare you to ask questions and answer any questions the hiring manager may have for you. Remember to never ask questions about hours, benefits or salary. This is something that can be discussed in the future with Human Resources.
3. Honesty is the best policy
The purpose of an interview is to assess your experience and whether or not you will be a good fit for the company in general. If you are not honest about your experience and future career goals the hiring manager will not get an appropriate feel of who you are as a candidate. Exaggerating your qualifications or salary on a reference sheet may be tempting but the truth will come out and you will be embarrassed. The opportunity may not be right for you either so being honest during the hiring process is your safest bet.
Be honest, be positive and ask well thought out questions. These simple guidelines will ensure your interview goes smoothly.