Master the interview basics

2011-10-26

Oh, to be able to turn back the clock or eat one’s words. Interview mistakes are not only embarrassing, they are potentially costly. Recovering can be tough — but not impossible. Consider these ways to limit the damage:
Apologize
quotPeople are more willing to forgive than we might think,quot says Marc Dorio, author of quotThe Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Job Interview.quot He notes that owning up and uttering a genuine quotplease forgive mequot can be quite disarming. quotIt demonstrates character, and an interviewer may be impressed by that. After all, it will show that as an employee you will be honest and admit when you make a mistake as opposed to hiding it or making excuses.quot
Dorio also recommends stating what you learned from your goof. For instance, if you are late to an interview, after your apology you can add, quotI now know I need to allow more time when driving into the city on a weekday.quot
Don’t dwell on the mistake
If an expletive accidentally pops out of your mouth or you make some other faux pas, save self-chastising for later and get back on track. quotThe candidate should apologize quickly and move on with answering the question,quot says Linda Matias, owner of CareerStrides.com and author of quot201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions.quot quotHe should not apologize and then stop talking, because the mistake just lingers in the air. Dwelling on this fumble, or any other fumble, will bring extra unneeded attention to the situation.quot
Slip-ups in presenting information can be handled in a similar fashion. quotIf a candidate says something and instantly regrets it, he should make an attempt to make his position clear,quot Matias says. quotHe should not wait until after the interview to address the issue. That said, he should not harp on a mistake. Making a quick statement such as, ‘Let’s backtrack for a moment’ and then going on to provide a clearer statement works well.quot
Think on your feet
While panicking may be your gut reaction, remaining calm in the face of a mistake may allow you to salvage the situation. Running late? Show you value the interviewer’s time with a call to inform her, apologize and ask if the meeting can be rescheduled. Confuse the company or one of its products with a competitor? Quickly utter an quotI’m sorry — of course I know that you produce Xquot and then get on with how you will market X using your experience in the field.
Suppose you accidentally appear at an interview without your portfolio or list of references. What can you say that excuses such a lapse? John Scanlan, assistant director of the career services center at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, says you might try something like, quotI don’t have my portfolio (or list of references) today because I wanted to talk to you first about the specific skills and accomplishments that are most important to you. This way I can customize it to illustrate more effectively the sort of skills you are seeking.quot
Don’t assume it’s too late to act
Noticing an error in the moment can be horrific, but recognizing a mistake after you’ve already left the interview can make you feel hopeless. Yet Scanlan notes that the situation sometimes can be rectified. quotIf you feel you made a bad impression, committed some grave error in judgment and/or somehow offended an interviewer, one strategy is to address the problem in a thank-you note. But be sure to state the issue positively as opposed to simply reminding the interviewer of your gaffe.quot
Adds Matias, quotIf the candidate regrets something later, and the mistake is a biggie, then he can mention the situation in a follow-up letter. He can write, ‘I would like to readdress the question you asked regarding …’ Then, simply re-answer the question. This is a strategy I use with my clients, and it has been very successful.quot
Prepare
The easiest way to deal with a mistake, of course, is not to err in the first place. Researching the company beforehand can eliminate the embarrassment of not knowing what it produces or who its biggest competitors are. Practicing aloud the answers to likely questions can build confidence and help you remember pertinent information and names. And don’t hesitate to confirm an appointment, ask for the spelling of someone’s name or request clarification of procedures. Better to look detail-oriented and responsible than to make a preventable blunder.

Source from Msn