Interview Horror Stories: How to Avoid Becoming A Statistic

Hello Friends!

Happy new month! March has arrived with excitement, and this month, Konseye’s theme for professional and personal growth is... (drumroll, please): Mastering The Art of Interviews!

Picture this: Mary logs in for a virtual job interview. Figuring it is an online interview she’s still in her sleep wear and was caught completely off guard when the recruiter asked her to turn her camera on. Yikes! Mary scrambles for a hat to cover her bed hair while simultaneously muttering something about having technical difficulties with her camera. When she finally switches on her camera, Mary notices the wrinkles on her shirt and the crusts in her eyes. She smiles sheepishly and tries to continue with the interview.

The interviewer, feeling generous, throws Mary a softball question: “Why are you interested in working with XYZ firm?” This should be an easy one for Mary to knock out of the park and reposition herself with confidence. However, Mary stutters, trying to remember which, out of the 30 applications she recently sent out, is XYZ firm. She rambles through some standard cliché words of being the best fit and liking the company’s ethos. Intrigued, the interviewer asks Mary: “Oh really, tell me more - what exactly do you like about the firm?” Mary smiles, silently praying for the ground to swallow her or for a tornado to rip through her apartment. Thinking she’s offering a smart response, Mary says: “Well, I was actually going to ask if I could learn more about XYZ firm.”  Congratulations Mary - you are now the latest cautionary tale in the hiring manager’s book of "Interview Horror Stories." Needless to say, Mary doesn’t get the job. Which is a pity because Mary’s CV stood out prominently and the interviewer had been looking forward to speaking with her. 

This may seem like a ridiculous example and a colossal mistake you would never make. However, as someone who has done a fair share of recruitment interviews, this type of lack of preparation is more common than you think. The tragedies of failing to plan for your interview are real for both the interviewer and the interviewee. Interviewers are human and they are often more interested in you than you might expect. Your well-crafted CV and cover letter have already caught their attention (that’s why you were shortlisted) and, after sifting through countless applications, recruiters are eager to find “the one.” So why do people allow themselves to become an urban legend passed around HR departments, a meme-worthy example of "what NOT to do"?

The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to ensure you stand out for the right reasons. So whether you are interviewing for a job, a grant, or a life-changing opportunity, throughout the month of March, Konseye: The Mentorship Network will explore tips to master interviews. We are starting with The Importance of Planning! Let’s get into it!

“I’m going to wing it - It’s just like any other job I applied for”

If this thought ever comes up in your mind, please banish it quicker than a message from an ex-lover who promises to change for the 100th time. Few things signal "I'm unprepared for this interview" more than neglecting to research the company beforehand. In today’s digital age, there is no excuse for skipping the basics - exploring the company’s website, scanning their social media, and staying informed about recent developments. Interviewing with a bank’s mergers & acquisitions team? Look into their latest deals. Meeting with a tech company? Know their key products and market reception. 

Pro Tip: Research is hard currency in the recruitment game - it is an easy way to score major points with a recruiter. A little research goes a long way in making a strong impression! I have seen smiles spread on the faces of recruiters when I’ve mentioned the company’s recent achievements. Doing such research tells a recruiter that you are observant and proactive - highly valued qualities! Understand the company’s values and mission, and prepare a strong answer to the "Why do you want to work here?" question that highlights your knowledge of the company.

“The interviewer is so nice - I’m going to respond to questions as though I’m talking to my friends.”

Please, don’t do this. It is wonderful that you feel comfortable with the interviewer (which says a lot about their interviewing skills), but remember, they are not your friend. They are there to find the best candidate for the job. Rambling through your answers with long-winded detours, as if you are at Friday night drinks with your friends only hurts your chances. Even if your story is compelling, it will be hard for the interviewer to grasp your main point and assess whether you meet the key qualifications for the role which, by the way, is the reason you are being asked questions in the first place. 

Pro Tip: Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your response. Begin by outlining the specific situation or challenge you encountered, the actions you took to address it, and the positive outcomes or lessons learned as a result of your efforts. Avoid raising issues in a manner that appears as though you are speaking negatively of your former boss or co-workers (even if they were sent from Hell to torment you). Speaking negatively about other people who are not in the room to defend themselves only makes you look unprofessional. Focus on professional challenges that demonstrate your problem-solving and communication skills.

“I don’t need to prepare any questions to ask the interviewer, and if I must ask a question I’ll just ask them about the salary and benefits.”

This line of thinking is misguided. It overlooks the opportunity to showcase a genuine interest in the company and the role. Failing to prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewer can give the impression that you are not fully invested or that you haven’t done your research (think back to how research is hard currency). Employers hire people to meet an organization’s needs. Of course compensation must be fair but asking only about salary and benefits can come across as self-serving instead of demonstrating your enthusiasm for the company’s mission, values, and culture. 

Pro Tip: As a general rule, I would highly recommend keeping salary and benefits questions until after you have been offered the job. During the interview, ask questions that show that you have considered how you can contribute to the company’s goals (this tells the recruiter you care about what you can do for the company and not just what the company can do for you.) Beyond using such questions as an opportunity to show a genuine interest in the company, you can listen closely to the recruiter’s responses to see if the role truly aligns with your own career aspirations (interviewing is a two-way street!) Once again in this digital age, there are abundant, free, and industry specific resources available that offer you some sample questions which you can tailor ahead of your interview. Having one or two such interview questions ready is a great way to stand out … for the right reasons. 

At The End of the Day

Preparation is everything. Being well prepared would work in your favour and allow any recruiter to overlook minor mistakes made during the interview. Avoid being an interview horror story by planning ahead, practicing clear and direct responses to questions, and prepare to show a genuine interest in the organization through questions for the interviewer.  

Stay tuned as we dig deeper into this topic throughout the month with more practical tips to help you master the art of interviews. In the meantime, stay engaged with the Konseye community: sign up for free mentoring sessions with industry experts and connect with other members. If Mary had taken advantage of the free membership with Konseye, she would have been well-prepared for her interview with XYZ firm. Don’t be Mary!

Have an amazing week, and remember: With The Right Network, Anything Is Possible.™

Adejoké

Team Konseye