Hiring managers are looking for relevant experience, sure, but they are also looking at a candidate’s fit with the team, management, and the company culture. If any of those things feel “off” during the interview, the candidate will have a hard time convincing the hiring team that his/her skills can overcome their reservations.

Every candidate is selling what they can do to an audience that is looking to buy. Like cars in a dealer showroom, they all are transportation, but each has different features that are needs or wants for different audiences. Your job as a candidate is to figure out what you can do and what “features” you have that would be of interest to the buyer…

There are three things that interviewers do consider: what is said, how it is said (tone) and body language. If any of the three seem “off”, it could cost the person the role. Be mindful about your body language; it is one thing can eliminate as an obstacle in a successful job search.

You have just finished interviewing for a position that seems like a good fit for your interests. You felt good about the job interview.  You know that the people that you spoke with are probably on their best behavior, so you are not sure if you are getting a true picture of the company. How do you determine if the job and the company are the real deal?

If you get this question, the interviewer is trying to assess your judgment skills and how you deal with adversity. If you say that you have never failed professionally, the interviewer will not believe you. This is a question that EVERYONE should prepare for in advance, as you do not want to try to think up an example on the spot.

I know many job seekers that are flummoxed when they get the dreaded rejection call or email. Since companies usually will not provide any feedback about the reason for rejection, the job seeker is left to ponder what exactly went wrong.  Below is a list of possibilities for why you might have been rejected. You many never know the reason, but this list may help you pinpoint what happened.

Yes, I get that you had a horrible boss and the company did not care about its employees.  The reality is work may not be all unicorns and butterflies. Yet, when on a job interview, please refrain from bashing your employer.

I know a lot of job seekers are concerned that their attempt to sell their skills can come across as boastful and may turn off an interviewer. I believe this is a legitimate concern.

The interview question “Tell me about yourself” should be an easy one to answer. Yet, in my experience, many people get this one wrong.