7 interview mistakes that take people away from their dream job or dream college
(And how to avoid them)
A thread
The other day a neighbour reached out to me.
They wanted me to help their 18yo prepare for a college interview.
“Cool,” I said, and sent her two YT videos.
And told her to get back with what she learnt from those.
Two days later, she requested me for preparing answers (after researching), and also write that kid’s strengths and weaknesses.
Tbh, I felt very sorry for her, for relying on a magic bullet I could probably give, instead of working hard on presenting her real self.
7 mistakes we make in interviews, and how we can avoid them:
1. Thinking it is an interview
The very thought of someone looking at us straight in the eye is baffling.
What if we treated it as a talk, instead?
Being chill, being our real self, and having a conversation!!!
2. Not preparing for it
It’s surprising how a whole lot of people want to crack the interview but don’t prepare for it.
You know who you are, and Google knows what the answers to the questions are.
When you spend time knowing both, not only you, the interviewer will be stunned!
3. Thinking you have to know everything
It’s okay if you don’t know an answer. It’s NOT okay if you lie.
The interviewer is at least 3X your age and way experienced to figure out the difference.
Honesty >>> Faking it
ALWAYS!!!
4. Coming across as desperate
There is difference in needing and being desperate.
We may need a job, and that’s okay.
Being desperate means you will do any damn thing to get that job. The last thing you’d signed up for.
If you don’t respect yourself, how would anyone else?
5. Not researching the culture
Most people research the company, but how about the place that will shape you?
Some questions to ask:
- What is a complete no-no?
- What is the best thing about the team I’m going to work with?
- How would I grow along with our macro goals?
6. Not having enough options
Instead of believing “We will get back to you”, it helps to proactively get to several potential recruiters.
When you have several options, you pick instead of waiting to be picked.
7. Not following intuition
There is this instant feeling upon meeting someone in person / online that you know if it is the right place for you or not.
Happens with me ALL the time.
Yet, we wait for possibilities where we intuitively know it is not going to click for us.
People, do yourself a favour:
Listen strongly to what your heart is telling you.
Intuition never lies.
It may be glossy on the surface, but all that glitters is not gold. And you know very well what kind of diamond you are and what pairs with it!
PS:
In an interview:
We try to project what they want.
Totally forgetting what they want is real us.
And if they want us to be someone else, do we really want to take up the job / internship / college?
PPS: The best kind of interview is the one where you wow the interviewer yet you both are amicably staying on your own terms :)
PPPS:
It takes time to get to this place. Took me 29 years of existence to get there!
You don't need to rush, just go with the flow, enjoy the show, and try avoiding these interview mistakes: