I don’t believe anyone really likes interviews. They are stressful and it’s really easy to mess them up by trying to hurry your answers. It is a much better idea to take your time. Think over interview questions and answer them carefully.
It’s not easy to calm down when you are waiting outside the office. Your palms are sweating even though you’ve rubbed them on your trouser leg while the secretary wasn’t looking.
Companies don’t seem to pay for air conditioning every time they are holding interviews and as the sun pours through the window you can feel a trickle of sweat running down your back.
Once the door opens there’s just time for one more rub of the trouser leg before you thrust your sweaty palm into the interviewer’s bone dry hand. The hot seat awaits and as you realize there are several people looking at you from across the table your heart starts to gallop out of control.
After a few banal warm up questions they grill you on specifics and the pressure is on. Without realizing it you are rambling on and on and not quite getting to the point. In a bit to make yourself understood you continue to prattle, digging a bigger hole for yourself.
After an eternity, the interview is over. You peel yourself of the sticky chair, wipe your hand once again and mumble your thanks for the enjoyable interview. They promise to be in touch soon an as you walk out the door you can hear your resume dropped into the trash can.
This is a scenario that doesn’t have to happen. One of the worst things that candidates do at an interview is talking too quickly. So fast in fact that they don’t even think or listen to what they are saying.
One of the most important techniques to remember is to slow down. Take your time. Listen carefully to the interview questions and answer slowly and clearly. Give your brain some time to think before you stick your foot in your mouth and lose the one chance you have of landing that job.