The Top Mistakes Job Interviewers Are Making
Posted August 15, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Here’s a question you may never have thought about: how good are you at job interviews – and how good is the person actually doing the interview? The one aspect of looking for work most rarely ponder is the skill of the future boss considering you for the position. And according to a new survey, that can be almost as important as the answers you give.
While most research asks potential employers about the faults of prospective workers, human resources firm Development Dimensions International (DDI) turned the tables, asking those on the other side of the desk what they thought of the person asking the questions. The result: many weren’t impressed.
There were a host of perceived misdeeds connected with the process, including being kept waiting for unreasonable lengths of time, not being given all the information about the job, being asked questions that had nothing to do with the opening, a feeling they were being rushed or an interview that made them feel like it was a murder trial – and they were the one accused. Some even complained that the interviewer wound up talking more about himself than the applicant.
The company notes when it comes to getting a job, the pendulum has finally started to swing the other way. Baby boomers will begin retiring soon en masse, creating a lot of openings and choices for those in upcoming generations that might not have been there for their parents. And the researchers suggest companies that don’t teach their executives how to properly conduct an interview could see good candidates simply walk away to a place that treats them better – before they even land the job.
“Act like you want each and every person you interview,” suggests DDI’s Rich Wellins. “You can say no later.”
Or they may be the ones saying ‘no’ to you.
Top Mistakes By Job Interviewers
Acting like there’s no time to talk: 70%
Not being forthcoming about the job itself: 57%
Making the interview a “cross-examination”: 51%
Coming in late/excessive waiting to be seen: 48%
Coming to the meeting unprepared: 47%
Asking questions that aren’t related to the job: 43%
Photo credit: Chris Hondros/Getty Images
