7 Ways to Instantly Make the Interviewer Reject You plus 1 more | Career Rocketeer

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7 Ways to Instantly Make the Interviewer Reject You Posted: 04 Sep 2011 03:30 AM PDT No one will argue that interviews are a nerve-racking experience. But there are certain things some candidates do that ruin their chances from the start – pretty much making it impossible to recover. Do you do any of the following during a job interview? If so, you might be sabotaging your chances at landing a new job: Using too many filler words when answering questions: "You know," "umm," "er," "like"… these are all very distracting to an interviewer. You'll sound much more educated and poised by eliminating (or at least minimizing) your use of these words. Failing to research the company: At the very least, you should take a few minutes to check out the organization's website before your interview. If you have more time, look into their recent press mentions, financials, etc. to get a handle on how the past few years have been and how you can benefit the organization in your new role. Talking for too long: When someone says, "tell me about yourself," they don't want to hear your whole life story. And, although employers want you to give specific examples of past behaviors and accomplishments, it doesn't mean you should do all of the talking. Watch for nonverbal signals. Sounding scripted: Although you should certainly practice your interview answers prior to the in-person meeting, you shouldn't script your answers out. This will inevitably make you more nervous, particularly if you haven't prepared for a specific question or get flustered during your answer. Instead, formulate a general idea in your head about key points you'd like to hit in your answer. Not truly wanting to work for the company: During a recent interview for one of the open positions at my company, I asked a candidate what she liked most and what she liked least about her previous positions. She told me she disliked working in a virtual (sometimes called remote or telecommute) environment…which Come Recommended happens to be. (This is made clear in all our job ads.) Nervous laughing: Hiring managers understand that you might be nervous, but just like filler words, laughing is totally distracting from your answer…and just might be the only thing the employer remembers from your interview. You don't want that—do you? Offending or otherwise rubbing the interviewer the wrong way: Being condescending, rude or impersonal during your interview will definitely make the interviewer think twice about hiring you. After all, they'll have to deal with you on a daily basis in the office, and no one wants to work with someone difficult. What else would make an interviewer instantly reject a job candidate? Guest Expert: Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for organizations with products that target job seekers and/or employers. She is also the author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships: The Truth About Getting from Classroom to Cubicle (2011), #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets. what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by

9 Words Your Resume Can Live Without Posted: 03 Sep 2011 03:30 AM PDT You know that feeling you get when you're sure you've seen something before? At RezScore, we get that feeling all the time…looking at resumes. The resume is a blank canvas that any job seeker can transform into a unique document. When every resume uses the same jargon in the same way, it's just a waste of space and opportunity. I've compiled a list of words that are the very worst offenders when it comes to resume déjà vu: Dynamic The dictionary defines "Dynamic" as "a force that stimulates change or progress within a system". That sounds so shiny and wonderful; it should be in your resume, right? What does it actually say about you? Instead of telling an employer that you are dynamic, tell them about what you've accomplished that makes you dynamic. Results-Oriented Be aware that not every industry even wants a results-oriented individual. In a way, it says, "I don't care how I get there, just as long as I do." People Person You wouldn't include, "I'm really nice" into your resume, would you? Just because a piece of paper says so doesn't make this nebulous fact true. Save the interpersonal qualities for emails, phone calls, and face-to-face interactions. _______ available by request References, writing samples, or anything else… This line is a waste of precious resume real estate. If an employer is interested in you, they will ask for additional materials. Side note: when a job posting specifically asks for references or writing samples, include them! Problem-solving skills Sure, on paper, a problem-solver seems like an amazing addition to any company. Instead of mentioning you're a problem solver, try to include at least one example of you using your super-awesome problem-solving skills in the real world. Proactive Just like dynamic, this is another word that sounds amazing, but doesn't really say anything. Great, you're not stuck in the past, according to you. Think about any instance in your immediate work history that shows that quality of yours in action. Responsible Responsible… for what? The proof is in the pudding when it comes to responsibility. Elaborate—who made you responsible, how many other people shared this responsibility, did anything challenge your responsibility? Communication skills One can argue that a two-year-old has communication skills; after all, they can communicate. The fact that you are able to write a resume proves that you are capable of communicating effectively. Beyond that, your writing samples, cover letter and exchanges with potential employers should prove to them that you are a great communicator. Professional What does it mean to be professional? Many industries don't have any strict qualifications (if any) for this label, so is it really necessary for you to tell an employer? Instead of writing about your professionalism, act professionally in the way you interact with an employer. This is only the beginning of a long list of words your resume doesn't need. As a rule of thumb, try to avoid frilly adjectives and focus on quantifiable, solid examples of accomplishments and achievements. If you find yourself using the same word over and over again in your resume and cover letter, look for another. What other words need to be retired from your resume? Guest Expert: Gerrit Hall is the CEO and co-founder of RezScore, a free web application that reads, analyzes, and grades resumes – instantly. Gerrit has successfully combined his passion for computer science and the careers space by helping job seekers write the best resume possible. Gerrit is a regular contributor to the startup advice site Bootstrapper, hosts the "Vital Topics" panel of the Road2Shambala podcast, and spearheaded the 2log competitive blogging platform. You can connect with Gerrit and RezScore on Facebook and Twitter. Advertise on Career Rocketeer

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