Top Turn-Off for Hiring Managers

By Robin Ryan

It wasn’t being late, or even lacking company knowledge that was the biggest complaint. The number one turn-off for hiring managers was poor communication skills, according to a recent survey published in Staffing Management, a journal of the Society of Human Resource Management. Noted as particularly displeasing were inarticulate answers to interview questions, and vague accounts of past experience.

Ironically, a candidate can and should have the answers to interview questions mastered long before they ever walk into the hiring manager’s office. Whether it’s an interview for a new job or an internal promotion (Internal hiring is UP! 53% of management jobs are filled from within the company ranks.) you can stand out as a well qualified candidate by following these guidelines:

Prepare answers in advance. Write out your answers to the typical and tough questions. Keep your responses concise, factual, and packed with specifics. Use a conversational tone and answer in less than 60 seconds in order to keep the interviewer’s attention. Role-play your answers to help you become more confident in your replies.

Paint a picture. Give an example of what you’ve done by citing a true situation. These details help the employer visualize how you would perform on their job, and effectively confirms you as a good potential hire. Many interviewers now prompt for these situational examples (i.e., asking you to describe a recent mistake you made on the job that you were criticized for), so advanced preparation IS essential.

Determine a 5 point agenda. This is your customized hiring strategy - your top five selling points, a summary of your key talents, accomplishments, and experience. The 5 point agenda focuses the interview on your strengths as well as your ability to meet the employers’ needs and get the job done. Review the position needs to determine which of your abilities will be most important to the employer. Select five points that build a solid picture emphasizing how you can do their job (i.e., years of experience, specific accomplishments). Stress each of these points in the interview whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Pay attention to non-verbal clues. Employers evaluate what they hear, while lending credence to what they see. Nervous gestures, such as playing with your hair or tapping your fingers, can absorb their attention. A sincere smile sends a warm, confident message. Eye contact is one of the important things employers notice about you. It is crucial and conveys that your message is believable. Practice until it is second nature to look at the person when answering a question.

Ask the right questions. A top manager at AT&T told me: “I judge candidates by the questions they ask. That’s what’s most revealing to me. I want someone focused on succeeding in the job and not just centered around how much money I will pay them.” Come to the interview with a typed list of questions. Use this time to gain insight on their corporate culture. Ask about the specific job duties. This is NOT the time to bring up any questions about salary or benefits.

Need more assistance? "60 Seconds & You’re Hired!" has the answers to 90 of the most typical, tough and trickiest interview questions. The new Interview Advantage Audio CD Program can help you prepare through personal coaching and role play, with special emphasis on internal interviews. Handle salary negotiations like a pro with the newly released Salary Negotiation Strategies Audio CD Training Program – available now at www.robinryan.com.

© Copyright 2008 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.

Need more assistance?  Robin is available to help you achieve your goals and dreams with individual career counseling. Click here to learn more.

Robin Ryan has appeared on Oprah and Dr. Phil and is considered to be America’s top career coach. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing individual career coaching, resume writing services, interview preparation, salary negotiations, and outplacement to clients nationwide. She is the best-selling author of : "60 Seconds & You're Hired!," "Soaring On Your Strengths," "What to Do With the Rest of Your Life," "Winning Resumes," and "Winning Cover Letters." A dynamic national speaker, Robin has spoken to over 1200 audiences sharing her insights on how to improve their lives and obtain greater success. Contact Robin at: 425.226.0414, or email: robin@robinryan.com, or visit her website: http://www.robinryan.com

Reprints release: Newspapers, magazines, online websites are granted permission to reprint this in part or whole but are required to credit the author including author's bio, book credits, and include author's website information (with link if online); PLUS email author at robin@robinryan.com and state when and where reprint publication will occur. Questions: contact author at robin@robinryan.com or 425.226.0414.