Interview Myths

More nervous energy is wasted over interviews than any other part of the career process. Although few people can say they enjoy interviews, they need not be the nightmare time many turn them into.

There are several job interview myths that may prevent your from conducting an effective Interview. Here we use our expertise to guide you through four of the biggest.

Interview myth one: You need to spend hours memorising a lot of 'good answers'

No. According to Richard Bolles, in the seminal What color is your parachute? there are five:

Why are you here?

They mean by this: "why are you knocking at my door, rather than someone else's door?"

What can you do for us?

They mean by this: "If I were to hire you would you be part of the problems I already have, or would be a part of the solution to those problems? What are your skills, and how much do you know about some subject or field that is of interest to us?

What kind of person are you?

They mean by this: "Do you have the kind of personality that makes it easy for people to work with you, and do you share the values which we have at this place?"

What distinguishes you from the nineteen other people who can do the same tasks as you can?

They mean by this: "Do you have better work habits than the nineteen others, do you show up earlier, do you stay later, work more thoroughly, work faster, maintain higher standards, go the extra mile, or … what?"

Can I afford you?

They mean by this: "If we decide we want you, how much will it take to get you, and are we willing and able to pay that amount - governed as we are by our budget, and by our inability to pay you as much as the person who would be above you on the organisational chart?

Interview myth two: Interviews are won or lost in the first two minutes

Unfortunately there is a lot of truth in this myth. Very basic things such as your personal habits and dress (what recruitment consultants refer to as the "beard and sandals" problem) - a candidate who is ideal on paper turns up in hopelessly the wrong attire.

You can pull a bad interview out of the fire, but better not let it get off to a bad start. If you feel that you have made a mistake, or said something you wish you hadn't, you can address it directly. You may say something such as, " I would like to rephrase my answer to the previous question...". This may be particularly important if you are so disturbed by what you said that you do not think you will be able to give focused answers to the remaining questions.

Interview myth three: They are a competition between candidate and interviewer

While an interview may be challenging - you want them to allow you to shine - both you and the interviewer have the same aim: to make sure that you are right for the job and the job is right for you.

A good interviewer (and a good interview) is looking for opportunities for you to appear at your best. After all they want the best as well.

Interview myth four: Lying will get you success

Unscrupulous recruitment consultants have been known to suggest "stretching" the truth to a candidate. Not only is this grossly un-ethical, but it seldom, if ever, works. Firstly because once you start it is extremely difficult to stop, and secondly because you would lay yourself open to instant dismissal if your employer finds out.

There is a huge difference between lying and not telling the whole truth. The latter is perfectly acceptable - as long as your aim is not to mislead - you are not under oath.

For more advice about interviews visit:

How to Really Answer Interview Questions in Wall Street Journal's Career Journal (http://www.careerjournal.com)