Despite the fact that interviewers are talking to you about your skills and qualifications your first interview has very little to do with you. In order to nail your next interview prepare to sell yourself to the employer on what you can bring to them. If you aren’t a natural born salesperson, it can be challenging to pitch yourself.

 

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You Didn’t Know the Company

If you think that your skills and abilities will benefit this company, be certain that you know exactly what they do. How can you contribute to their cause and operations?

You Tried To Do Everything

This is an easy mistake when looking for entry level positions. A bachelor’s degree in liberal arts leaves you a jack of all trades qualified to do nothing. Highlight the skills that you have developed over your professional and educational history. If your core strength is your communication, prepare examples of just how good your communication skills are. If you have defined skills you can easily illustrate what you can contribute to a company instead of the same young professional mantra of “I can do anything and everything!” Good employees are flexible, and employers expect that you will be a good employee if they hire you. Let the employer know that you’re interested in assuming more responsibilities as your grow into your role- but your five year plan doesn’t need to include hard dates and titles.

You Didn’t Do Justice to Your Former Positions

Employers want to know about the work that you’ve done so that they can draw parallels between that and the work they want you to do for them. It can be tricky to fall into a trap of grouping all of your retail experience into cashiering, customer service, and cleaning the floor. Instead, try to detail your operations with them- and illustrate your accomplishments with this. Include your sales reports, supply ordering, and management of client databases. If you can show that you’re experienced in the skills that they’re looking for they’ll be able to imagine you in the role that they’re offering.

 You Don’t Fit Into a Long Term Plan

Interviewees that are just beginning their careers can often overshoot, in doing this they lose out on the position. Growth is important- but approach an interview for the position at hand. Employers are hiring for this job and want to make sure that you can handle this before you’re their next executive.

Moreover, a culture fit is a real thing. Work environments are becoming increasingly more important to employees. For longevity and satisfaction you’ll need to fit into the office dynamic- if you don’t make the impression that you will work nicely with their team- they’ll have to offer the position to someone else.

And sometimes, unfortunately, there are more qualified applicants. That’s okay, it’s onto the next!