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Interviewers' Pet Peeves
Pet Peeve No 5: "Averting Your Eyes: One Way to Avert an Offer"
Carole Martin / Monster
You sit facing the interviewer, feeling like things are moving along nicely when all of a sudden the interview takes a drastic turn for the worse. What just happened? You may have hit one of the interviewer’s pet peeves, one of those things that automatically triggers a negative response.
Here are seven of the most common peeves provided by experienced interviewers, along with some tips on how to avoid them:
Smells: Too Much of a Good Smell Can Be Bad
Pat Riley, author of Secrets of Breaking into Pharmaceutical Sales, has a pet peeve story to relate: “Preparing for an interview is not like preparing for a date. I had one interview with a woman who doused herself with perfume (the same perfume my ex-girlfriend used to wear) right before stepping into the small interview booth. The perfume was overpowering and brought back bad memories.
AEinATL
18 days ago
4 comments
This is pretty helpful and to me, it doesn't matter what situation you're in but if the person you're talking to isn't giving eye contact I just can't stand it. I think the important thing to remember in interviews is that it's as much about you as it is them. You must come prepared with questions for them, not only to look engaged, but also to find out if this is the right company for you.
cinlyn
3 months ago
2 comments
Actively searching for a new career, this is useful info. Recruiters that I am working with suggest that you try to mirror the interviewers demeanor also. I have noticed that the more I do the interview thing, the better I get at it. I am a pretty outgoing person, so I usually have no problem speaking to anyone, regardless of thier position within a company. I will strike up a conversation in line at the store...I have to agree with GoodAt_It_08 as well. This may be great for those who just aren't comfortable meeting or speaking with senior management .
GoodAt_It_08
3 months ago
10 comments
It might helpful to think of the interviewer as your boss (a boss with whom you get along.) Speaking to a boss involves professional behavior, exchanging details, asking questions on an assignment, etc. An interview is meant as an exchange of information, not an interrogation. It's just as important to find out if the job at hand is right for you, not just if you're right for the job they have.
Ms_Amy
3 months ago
12 comments
I'm actively searching for a job outside my position of the past eleven years as a self-employed, work-at-home business owner. I have NEVER had an official interview, so this is very helpful in starting the research process of what NOT to do!