7 signs You’re unprepared for an interview (and How to Fix Them)
Interviewing can be incredibly nerve-wrecking, however preparing means the difference between stumbling through questions and leaving a strong impression. Many candidates assume it is on the hiring manager to evaluate them, when in reality, most successful interviews are a result of candidates having done their homework.
Understanding the company’s mission, culture, products, and industry not only shows that your genuinely interested in the role, but also reflects your level of investment on being a part of their team. Skipping these steps is a sure way to raise red flags during an interview and hiring managers can spot these almost instantly.
hERE ARE 7 WAYS EMPLOYERS DISCERN UNPREPARED CANDIDATES:
If you are unaware of the company’s mission and vision, get educated on it. Going into an interview not prepared with this information demonstrates a lack of alignment with the organizations purpose and suggests you haven’t done your homework.
Be aware of the company’s competitors. Not having this information on hand could signal you don’t understand the market context or how the company differentiates itself; which is key for strategic roles.
If you don’t know who the company’s key leaders are, make the effort to familiarize yourself with them. Not knowing who they are shows you haven’t bothered to research who drives decisions or shaped culture within that company, which can make you seem disengaged.
Not knowing what company you’re interviewing for is a major siren alarm going off for those interviewing you. It not only reflects poor preparation, but pure laziness in your attention to detail.
Having a background that is far from professional during a zoom or an asynchronous interview. This not only distracts from your message but also implies that you’re not taking taking the process seriously or respecting their time.
Rambling off during an interview with 10+ minute long stories that make no sense nor have any tangible results fail to showcase you accomplishments in a coherent and clear manner. It also wastes time and makes it hard for interviewers to assess if you’re a good fit or not.
Not listening to the interviewers question and instead responding like a rehearsed robot. Not only does this prevent you from addressing their concerns, but it also shows inflexibility in communication.
Use these key indicators as a checklist while preparing for your interview to ensure you present yourself with confidence and professionalism. The more prepared you are, the stronger your chances of leaving a lasting impression.
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