Interview Questionnaire: True or False?

The following is an excerpt, reprinted with permission of the publisher, from Competency-Based Interviews: Master the Tough New Interview Style and Give Them the Answers That Will Win You the Job; © 2012 Robin Kessler. Published by Career Press, Pompton Plains, NJ.  800-227-3371.  All rights reserved.

I thought this was an interesting and easy way to get some good, solid interview concepts across.

1. The best-qualified candidate always gets the job.

False. Interviewers consider other things in addition to qualifications. They try to assess how willing you are to work hard and how well you’ll fit into their department and organization. In competency-based organizations, interviewers also assesses how strong you are in the competencies needed to be successful in the job. In addition, interviewers may be persuaded to make an offer to someone who can benefit them politically—say, the nephew of the CEO.

2. It’s a good idea to schedule your first interviews for the positions you are the most interested in.

False. Most interviewees don’t do as well in their first interviews as they will in later interviews, when they are more comfortable with the process. So try to have a “practice” interview (or work with a coach or career consultant) before you have one that really matters to you.

3. The first few minutes of the interview are the most important.

True. Most interviewers make up their minds quickly.

4. You should wear conservative clothes to an interview.

True. But make sure what you wear is considered conservative for your professional area or industry—not someone else’s. It is important to wear conservative clothes because you want the interviewer to remember you for your professionalism and your intelligence and the quality of your answers—not for the clothes you wore. If the interviewer remembers you for your clothes, that is not a good thing.

5. Take a planner and a notepad to the interview.

Trick question. Take them with you but don’t take notes during the interview. If you do take notes, the interviewer may perceive you as having a poor memory, as inattentive (less eye contact), or perhaps even as interested in getting him/her into trouble (think of a potential discrimination charge or lawsuit). Take some notes on your notepad or in your planner immediately after the interview so that you can write more effective thank-you notes.

6. It’s always good to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early for the interview.

False. In most cases, you should plan to arrive about five minutes early. If you arrive earlier, you may actually inconvenience the interviewer, who will not be expecting you a half hour early. Although it is always better to be early rather than late, too early isn’t good, either. Get to the location early but wait in your car, downstairs, or across the street in a coffee shop until it’s the right time to go to the interview. As you wait, review your resume and check to make sure you are still looking as professional as you did after you got ready that morning.

7. When asked to talk about your background, you should plan to keep your response to about two minutes.

True.  Don’t be too brief—or too wordy. Watch the interviewer’s nonverbal communication; if he or she looks bored, pick up the pace of your answer and finish talking. Emphasize the competencies that are critical for the position.

8. During an interview, avoid making too much eye contact to help the interviewer feel less nervous.

False. Maintaining good eye contact is perceived positively in interviews in the United States. Just don’t stare! Remember, also, that the rules for eye contact may be different in other parts of the world, especially parts of Africa and Asia. So make sure you’ve done your research and know what’s expected.

9. It is best to be honest and tell the interviewer exactly how you felt about previous supervisors if you are asked for your opinion.

False. Remember that diplomatic honesty is better than brutal honesty. If you talk negatively about a former supervisor, the interviewer will think that you will be talking negatively about him or her in the future. So be professional and discreet.

10. Don’t answer questions about race, sex, age, national origin, marital status, or number of children.

Trick question. It depends. Put the question in context and respond considering the underlying reason for the question.

11. What you say counts for more than the interviewer’s perception.

False. Perception is reality. The interviewer will make a decision based on his/her perception of how successful you will be in the job as compared to other candidates. So it is up to you to communicate what you mean as clearly as you can so that you increase the chance that the interviewer will perceive you accurately.

12. Exaggerate your accomplishments, because the interviewer won’t be able to tell that you’re not telling the whole, exact truth.

False. A perceptive interviewer will be able to tell when you are not telling the truth based on your nonverbal and verbal communication. Make your best case but make sure you stay honest.

13. Your job in the interview is to sell yourself.

True. Your whole job in the interview is to persuade the interviewer that you deserve a second interview or a job offer.

14. Preparing for an interview is a waste of time.

False! Preparing for an interview is the best use of your time—if you care about being seriously considered for the opportunity.

Comments

[William @ Drop Dead Money]

Having been on the other side a lot (i.e. interviewing candidates a lot) I can give this list a big thumbs-up!

Very good - thanks for sharing!

[JayB]

I'm not sure that #10 has ever really been brought up when I've interviewed, and hope that it never does. Its fairly obvious that in person they could tell your race, sex, and age, or at least narrow them down. It would be different if it were a phone interview. But what is really scary to me is how a company might see that you having children could put a higher burden on their group health insurance or whatnot and choose not to hire you because of that. Maybe also, they would decide that anyone with kids translates into that person taking off a few more days throughout the year whether it be true or not.

I would really hope they are just wondering more out of curiosity or trying to get to know you than the other. With that said, I would never want to work for a company that asked those type questions as a screening for hiring anyway.

[JayB]

Following up on the last comment, I guess I would always answer #10 truthfully because those things are not really my choice anyway. I should not and will not hide those type qualities in order to get a job. Race, Sex, Age and National Origin aren't even choices anyway! As for the other two, I wouldn't get divorced or married because of a job, and you cannot un-birth children!

[Bad_Brad]

One thing that I believe strongly is to never forget that you are interviewing them, too. What that means is, have some relevant, thoughtful questions prepared for the interviewer. And make sure that they sell you on the job and the organization as well. You might be the right person for the job in their view, but is the job right for you? Don't go into an interview just desperate for any job. Go into the interview hoping to find that you are a match for the right job.

[Lance@MoneyLife&More]

I always took a note pad to refer to questions I had prepared for the interview to make sure I didn't miss anything I wanted to ask. Never thought about it the way it is presented here though...

[SteveD]

Thanks! This is a great list and perfect timing for me; next week I have my first job interview in 13 years! This is my response to your question earlier this week of what to look for from your employer when a raise isn't an option -- a new employer!

[HP]

Re; #10, as an interviewer I would very rarely ask questions that fall under protected categories (e.g., national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, disabilities, race, or gender). Doing so could increase the risk of company liability in a discrimination law suit.

That said, as the interviewee, I would be weary if asked questions that fall under protected categories that don't have a direct correlation with the job requisition. For example, it would be acceptable to ask prospective employees what their Country of Citizenship is if a certain level of security clearance is required for the position.

[Kelly@FinancialBailoutNews]

I like that you included "perception is reality". Although you may have your answers to 'typical' interview questions all planned out in your head, one of the most important things to remember is that reading the situation and effectively communicating in a way that you believe the interviewee will respond well is key. Just because you think you are prepared enough and have all of your ducks in a row, doesn't mean you should automatically get the job. Being able to asses the situate and give proper responses in a way that the interviewee will admire is the only way to land the position.

[EM]

Amen to #6 about arriving early to the location but not coming into the reception area (or wherever) until 5 minutes before your scheduled interview.

In my opinion and experience, a candidate who arrives 20 or 30 minutes early does not get bonus points for eagerness -- on the contrary, to me it's as much of an indication of mismanagement of time as arriving 5 minutes late.