7. Interview Knockouts


The following is a list of areas and behaviors that are evaluated by the interviewer to develop an opinion of you in the above areas. Items frequently leading to rejection include:
  • Poor personal appearance.
  • Overbearing, overaggressive; “Know-it-all.”
  • Inability to express yourself - poor voice, diction, and/or grammar.
  • Lack of planning for career; no purpose or goals.
  • Acting passively or indifferent.
  • Lack confident attitude; too nervous, ill at ease.
  • Make excuses, evasive, hedges on unfavorable factors in record.
  • Condemnation of past employer.
  • Poor eye contact.
  • Lim, fishy handshake.
  • No interest in company; no research about company and industry.
  • Late to interview (almost guarantees rejection unless given proper notice).
  • Asking about pay and money too much or too soon.
  • Lack of courtesy; ill mannered.
  • Cynical.
  • Emphasis on who you know.
  • Intolerant; strong prejudices.
  • Chewing gum during interview.
  • Complaining.
  • Failure to express appreciation of the interviewer’s time.