5 Things Your Interviewer Never Told You But Wanted To

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You’ve been sending out resumes like rapid fire and have probably done plenty of preparing for a job interview. You’ve gathered your references, list of accomplishments, and sorted out ways you’ll answer any crazy interview questions.

But, there’s another thing to consider when preparing for a job interview. Employers have had some memorable interview experiences, both good and bad. And they don’t always cue the candidate when their chances of being hired are going south.

If you want to leave a good impression at your job interview, be aware of what information the employer is looking for and what you shouldn’t bother saying. They often won’t tell you directly.

Here are a few things you might never hear an interviewer say, but you can bet they’ve thought:

1. “Please don’t beg for the job.”

Of course you want the job. You applied and you’re showing interest by being here. But until you know about what the job really entails, don’t start a monologue about why you’re the perfect fit. Get to know the company and what I’m looking for. You can tell me about your relevant qualifications as we talk about different aspects of the position.

2. “You have great qualifications, but your lack of confidence makes me doubt you.”

No matter how good your qualifications look on paper, if you don’t present yourself as a confident, capable individual during the job interview, I won’t consider you. Moreover, I’ll question why there seems to be a big disconnect between the person on paper and the person in front of me. A person with valuable experience and accomplishments shouldn’t be looking down and speaking with such uncertainty.

3. “I don’t see what makes you different from everyone else.”

Dear Plain Jane, you’re my tenth interview this week. After seeing so many candidates, they all start to blur together. If nothing about you stands out, I probably won’t remember you. So tell me something interesting about yourself. Maybe you have a unique hobby or side interest (keep it professional, please). Even better, tell me how it influences your personal values and will make you a good fit for this company.

4. “I don’t want to hear about your cat or your love life.”

Sure, I may ask a few questions about your interests outside of work, to assess whether you’ll get along with the team, but the conversation should always come back to your professional background and goals. Remember, this is a job interview, you’re not guest starring on Jimmy Fallon.

5. “Please follow up, and be genuine.”

I appreciate when you thank me for my time. Send a thank you note — paper or email, it doesn’t matter — but be genuine and specific. Help me remember who you are. Mention something we talked about during the job interview that intrigued you. Mention an upcoming industry event I might be interested in, and ask if I’m going. Show me you’re committed and engaged in the industry, regardless if you get the job.

During your interview, you want to stand out as a memorable candidate, but not for a negative reason. Just remember, when preparing for a job interview, you’ll want to stay on topic, be confident in your abilities and, of course, follow up. You’ll be called in for a second interview in no time!

What else can you do when preparing for a job interview? Share in the comments below!