The Red Flags in a Job Interview

At somepoint in our lives, we will have to endure the gut-wrenching experience of a job interview. As if that’s not nerve-wrecking enough, you need to keep in mind that everything you’re saying is relevant and straight to the point. 

It’s not completely hopeless; there are a few things to look out for that indicate how the interview is actually going. Here is some to name a few:

1. Time: Although interviews are time restricted, it is bad news if the interviewer is constantly checking the time; this is an indicator that they are bored and cannot wait until the interview is over.
2. Note-taking: Interviewers usually take notes and require breaks periodically. However, you do not want the interviewer to stop writing and close their notebooks. The interviewer has already ended the interview in their mind and at this point, there is not much that can be done to save the interview.  
3. Eye-contact: You want to make sure that the interviewer is always looking at you as this creates a type of bond between you and the employer; you want them as engaged in the conversation as you are.
4. Electronic devices: It is courtesy that all electronic devices should be turned off and ignored until an interview is over. However, if you find that the employer keeps checking his/her phone for emails, messages, or even answering phone calls, this shows that the electronic devices provide more entertainment to the interviewer than yourself—you must get their attention back!
5. Yawning: If you’re interviewer cracks out a yawn in the middle of the interview, they are not tired; they are bored! In this case, you must find a way to gain their interest in you again.
6. Posture: An interviewer sitting up with his back is a sign that he is attentive and all-ears; that coupled with leaning in towards you shows intrigue—the interviewer is drawn to the things that you are saying. What you do not want the interviewer to do is, sit slouched in his chair and arms crossed; this signals disengagement from the conversation and blocking you out.

Once an interview goes sour, there is not much you can do to redeem yourself, but it is always worth a shot. The key thing to focus on is how you answer your questions—it should be relevant, concise, and enthusiastic. 

At all possible costs, you should never ramble on when responding; only give the interviewer what he/she asked for and if they want more, they will ask (make them hungry for more!). Another big no-no is, deflecting; doing this hints to your potential employer that you may not be trusted since you avoid answering questions.

I have kept these tips in mind during my past job interviews and they have worked wonders. I completely support what the article advises you to do as it has been very effective for me. Now it’s your turn to try it out on your next interview!

For those of you who tried this out, was the interview more successful than your past interviews?

SOURCE:

Mitchell, Allison. “Understanding the Interviewer's Body Language”. Web. 8 Feb 2011. <http://www.jobpostings.ca/article/understanding-interviewers-body-language>.