Misconceptions About Job Interview

I was trying to choose the topic to write about for this week. Since my expertise is into human resources, I thought of writing a continuation on my previous hub on “How to Handle a Job Interview”. I tried to check within Hubpages if there were hubs with similar topics. It was good there were articles that present job interview questions and answers. I have read some of it. There were some good hubs. However, there were some write-ups that do not really give favorable ideas and answer to questions. This will mislead applicants of ending up not getting hired by their prospective employers. Here are just a few of the misconceptions about job interviews:

1. Tell me about yourself

One hub says that the interviewer is not yet ready to ask serious questions about the job but rather trying to collect his thoughts. This is absolutely WRONG! Your interviewers may already have prepared a set of questions to ask. This is not an introductory remarks just to fill-in the gaps. This maybe an open-ended statement, but the content you share with your prospective employer have a great impact in their decision to hire an applicant. This may not be the toughest question in a job interview. But rather this is the opportunity given to applicants to sell themselves. You may only have a minute to tell something about yourself, so do it right. Just remember that first impression may possibly last during your entire session.

2. Interview questions are very tricky.

Is this true? Does that mean applicants can be possibly tricked by their prospective employers? The term “tricky” may mean sneaky, devious or scheming.” When you trick somebody, you are trying to mislead them. This misconception makes the job seekers nervous. But actually, an interviewer doesn’t ask questions that are misleading to applicants. No employers want to start with a deceitful relationship to a prospective employee or hiree. Definitely not! Interview questions may seem complicated but not tricky. You only have to listen well and be honest with your response. It is done to confirm qualification and verify information given by the applicant. It is being ask to validate suitability to the position. So, don’t get tense. If you know yourself, you can do it well in your job interview.

3. Do not show your interviewer that you need the job.

One hub says that applicants should pretend they do not really need the job. The writer continues to say that you should let the interviewer feel you are still trying to choose from different companies. Oh well, this is absolutely absurd! Just come to think of it. . . applicants should try to make a good starting relationship with their prospective employers. Being pretentious is not a good start. Such attitude maybe misinterpreted as lack of interest in the company or applicants are not really serious in their applications. Those who are pretending may end up being questioned about their real intent and interest of getting hired. If you really want to be in the first list, do show your prospective employers you are really interested in the position and in joining their company.

4. Why did you leave your last job?

One hub says that there is no room for growth with my current employer and I’m ready to move on for a new challenge. Oh well, honestly said. But would this also be applicable if you are employed by a large company? If an applicant says there is no room for growth, it may possibly mean two things - - -

First, the applicant is not competitive within his/ her present employer. It may mean you were not given bigger responsibilities because you're not prepared for it. Interviewers may interpret this as lack of capability and leadership. It’s good if your interviewer will continue asking to verify your answer. But what if he will just end the session? That’s too bad. It may also mean that you might have exhibited difficulty in dealing with your superiors. Your technical proficiency, decision-making and people skills may already be at risk of being questioned. You’re not safe.

Second, it’s good if your interviewer will think that your present employer is just a small organization. You’ll have no hassle of supporting your answer of having no room for growth due to limited positions. You’re safe. But this is not always the case.

5. How much is your expected salary?

One hub says never to answer this question except if you have already been offered the job. The writer continues to say that you should throw back the question to your interviewer. Is this the right thing to do? Are you not going to waste your interviewers’ time, as well as yours, if salary was not cleared out in the first place? Applicants should not ask about compensation first, however, they are expected to answer if asked by their interviewers. You should have done your research about the salary range for that specific position. Never throw back a question. This is not a good approach. You may offend or irritate the person asking you. Such manner of response may be interpreted as a possible communication problem. You may exhibit an attitude of trying to bully somebody, which may not be good in any team. Your name may end up last in their list.

Applicants should remember that it is not only the Human Resource Department who might possibly interview them. Who knows? You can have a one-on-one or even a panel interview. The main point is that every question in any job interview has its purpose. So, take it seriously if you really want to get hired. Perhaps, we can discuss some answers to interview questions in different perspective of your interviewers in our future article.