Mistakes during Job Interviews

Mistakes during Job Interviews

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During recession period, I left job as I was sick of doing same work for long time. Later till a month I have appeared for several interviews and I failed. I failed due to my own mistakes. I would like to share those experiences with you.

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Scenario 1 –

“Ok Sunit. So you will be having a telephonic interview tomorrow morning. Mr. Shadab will be taking your interview. So be ready.”

“Great. Thank you Salma. Thank you so much. Bye. Have a nice day!”

“Bye.”

She hung up and I was very excited to attend this interview. Even though it was far from home, I was ready to take the opportunity. Next morning, I was fully prepared and was enjoying snacks along with TV. My phone rang. I picked up the call and proceed,

“Hello, am I speaking with Sunit Pendse?”

“Yes please.”

“I am Shadab calling for the job interview. Is this right time to speak?”

“Aah, yes it is but I am having my snacks right now. Can I call you back after 5 mins on same number? Then we will discuss. Ok?”

“Yes sure. Why not? Thank you. Bye.”

“Bye.”

In next 5 mins I ended up eating my snacks and called him. But no one picked up. I called number of times same day. But no one picked up the phone. Damn. Why did it happen? It happened because of the ignorance. By saying “I am having my snacks right now. Can I call you back?” I have shown least interest in talking to him. Opportunity knocked my door and I ignored. I missed it.

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Scenario 2 –

“So, here we go. Tell me something about yourself.”

As I had practiced the answer number of times, I told him everything whichever was needed confidently.

“Good. Your resume looks good. Have you worked with Microsoft Outlook? Can you troubleshoot problems related with Microsoft Outlook?”

“Well, I have the knowledge but never did it before.” Since I did not know even “o” of Outlook, I have answered him safely.

“Ok. Then tell me if user is not able to send mail using outlook, what will you check?”

“Sir, as I said, I have not worked with it. I have the knowledge but I have not worked. So, I cannot answer.” I was speaking confidently.

“Okay. Let’s look at other technical skills.”

Then he asked me few more questions. At the end of the interview, he asked me to leave saying their HR will give me a call with the feedback. I was feeling relaxed from the tension. But, I didn’t get the call back. I failed in the interview. What was my mistake? It was lying. I lied in my resume stating I can troubleshoot outlook related problems but couldn’t answer the question. From the same day, I never lied in my resume. Just written whatever I know and I have worked with. I didn’t fail later.

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Friends, I have shared two of my failure experiences here. I would like to ask you to share your own experiences, in which you have realized your mistakes and fixed them during further interviews. So that, freshers or job seekers in this group will be able to take a note of such mistakes; and they can avoid them while appearing for job interviews.

Sunit S. Pendse

10th September 2014

Sunitpendse.blogspot.com