It can be frustrating when you feel you've had a good interview, then not receive a job offer. And sometimes it's hard to find out the reasons why.

We've had decades of interviewing experience and see good candidates make some common mistakes at interviews. So here are some ideas that can help for your next interview.

• Take nothing for granted – don’t expect the interviewer has studied your CV thoroughly. Most interviewers have other jobs to do and they’ve probably only had time to read your CV once.  So don’t be offended when they ask you to tell them about yourself, and don’t respond by saying “it’s all in my CV.”  This is your opportunity to “sell” yourself and say why you feel you’d be good at the role. 

• Prepare for your interview - write down a list of questions you’d like to ask and take this list with you.  Too often candidates leave the interview and say they forgot to ask or say something that was really important. We guarantee you when an Interviewer asks if you have any questions, they are more impressed by candidates who bring out their list, than by those who can’t remember what they wanted to ask.  Prior preparation prevent poor performance, so be prepared! 

• Ask good questions – Ask questions that are important to you rather than what you think might impress the interviewer. Good questions are those that will help you decide if you want the role.  For instance, ask how long the interviewer has been with the company and what they like and dislike about working there. Ask if you can see the work environment and meet with other team members. The more questions you ask the more information you’ll get to make the right decision for you. 

• Talk about money $$ - know your worth. Check what the current market rates are for your skills and experience. Your Recruitment Consultant can tell the salary range of a role, but you should know what your value is in terms of your salary and benefits. There are lots of job boards that offer salary advice - www.seek.co.nz and www.trademe.co.nz are the most well-known.  For professional roles your membership organisation can help. If you’re asked what you want to earn start with what you’re currently earning and include the value of any benefits like car parking, overtime hours, bonus’s and additional leave. If you feel you’re worth more than the salary offered, provide the reasons why. 

• Follow up – we still hear of candidates sending their CV and never receiving any acknowledgement of their application.  If you’ve taken the time to apply for a role and you haven’t heard back within one week, make contact.  You’ve made the effort so you deserve to know what has happened to your information.  And if you’ve been to an interview, ask what the process is and when you can expect to hear the outcome. Send a thank you email following the interview and let the Interviewer know you’re keen.  If you haven’t heard the outcome within ten days of attending an interview ring, or email. 

• Feedback - Coming second isn’t good enough when you’re job hunting, so if you are missing out on job offers there may be something you are saying or doing you’re not aware of. Ask the Interviewer for feedback.  Ask the question “What could I have done better at the interview?”  Often the decision is made based on personality fit, so you can’t be someone you’re not, but it’s helpful to know what aspects of your interview you can improve.
  
  

Check out our video series of interviewing coaching tips which cover all of the above topics as well as; Talking about your strengths,  How to answer those difficult questions, How to resign, What questions to ask. The videos are based on over thirty five years of interviewing experience and will help you to be at your best and most confident for your next job interview.