Keep failing job interviews

[Ratatapa]

not to be a jerk but doesn't someone have you quoted as saying "applicated"? typo's and poor grammar can be an immediate "No." in most jobs not related to construction and physical labor

Yes my english is not the best

But i live in quebec so my interviews are in french so i'm fine on grammar

[Howard Roark]

fair enough, my french wouldn't even get me as far as an interview lol

[Kohan]

Thus far, only one person in the thread has tried to address the "background check" issue. A common misconception in today's society is that people still do it the "old school way," looking up the businesses, names, and phone numbers that you've listed in your references. Aside from some independent places (and usually, even they're a part of this), the majority of corporations, franchises, etc., use external companies to do their background checks.

They contact them, provide them with some of your personal information (just enough to go rifling through their digital records), and the results that are fed back depend entirely on what your previous employers told them. This has led to a number of lawsuits in the workplace, but not an overly tremendous amount, as most people don't even realize there are companies which streamline the background check process like this.

Background Checks Services and Companies

If you've only had four interviews total, and are lacking some significant certs (as you appear to be), I wouldn't be too afraid of this. Regardless, make sure you aren't lying about anything on your resume -- your education, anything of the sort -- and don't leave out relevant job experience because you had a "bad experience" with the employer.

[Shalyn]

I don't know about the idea that you're 'already qualified' when you get an interview. I think you're qualified for an interview off of your resume, but not for the job, because there is so much that isn't on your resume that they want to ask. I've had a couple of interviews as well and nothing came of them, not even when I've emailed back, and I'm pretty sure it just has to do with the enormity of applicants/interviews these places go through (days and days of interviews, hundreds of applicants).

Personally I find these interviews to be a waste of my time, because I know they're either going to: 1. Hire someone over-qualified because they're willing to take so little due to poor economy OR 2. Hire someone less competent than themselves for obvious reasons. I'm actually really excellent in interviews: I keep look up the company, give eye-contact, I smile, I give the strong handshake, sit up straight, answer everything in detail and offer information, and ask questions, etc etc. It only works if both resume/experience and your interview look awesome together, because, really, they go "Well this person was cool but look at their resume compared to..." Since I don't have much experience, that would be my situation. Yours might be "This person seems qualified but they're strangely anxious, I wonder what's wrong..."

Don't feel too bad about not getting the job; there are thousands of others just like you out there. Actually, I had an interview for a place that pays 35-38k to start with benefits and it's some tough work in a field I've never worked in, and usually my problem is that I cannot get to sleep the night before an interview. Except this time, when it was one of the more important interviews I've ever needed to attend, I slept like a baby, woke up fine, ate a little, studied for the interview and went on my way, arriving 15 minutes early. Who knows if I even got the job, but at least I felt pretty good during and afterwards. Maybe I'm just getting apathetic, but honestly, I think putting effort into an interview is important, but that, in the end, it is just an interview, and you have to be yourself (on good behaviour). That's all you can do! In the end, you have to be better to the employer than the hundreds applying, and that's a pretty tough job on it's own, so just be humble and don't be so hard on yourself.

[Sol-Blackguy]

Another possibility that get's overlooked: Make sure you don't have anything inappropriate on any Myspace, Youtube, or Facebook accounts. A lot of businesses have been checking these and the last thing you want to do is have a job nailed until they see a big marijuana leaf on your Myspace page.

[The Stig]

Interviews suck. Just thank fucking fuck this is your 4th one. If you're feeling down already, please don't. Infact, if there was such a curve for happiness/sadness of interviews, it should start from high (happy) then gradually fall to sad after a few interviews, and then go high again because you feel like you don't care and/or you are more comfortable with just going in there and chat.

It took me ages to adjust, but looking through my "job hunting" e-mail account, I've been through well over 25 interviews in different positions jobs locations. I can honestly say after around 10 or so interviews I swung into the "didn't care lets have fun lol" and used it to get more experience and feel of things. By the 17th interview or so, I just go in there and make it enjoyable for them. Longest interview I had was 90-odd minutes, 2 interviewers and me, we just chatted about tech ("So are you moving to Vista anytime soon?" "Vista? Hell no!" <laughs> --> <I talk about my limited vista experience (back at the time) and branched on to how I helped other family/friends use vista because they brought a new machine?). Didn't get the job, since this other dude has 3 months more experience was the only reason I recieved that I didn't get the position. A bit downing I guess since the interview was fantastic, but moving on ...

As Shalyn said, interviews are very much a waste of time, especially if they do not get back to you. I don't care what they think of me, but if they can provide 100 words or so and tell me why I didn't get the job I'd be happy to move on. Even if it's just a simple "u suck lol" e-mail, I don't care. I can use that to self reflect and then figure out what might've went wrong.

My first 5 or so interviews sucked, and then they became more and more frequent. On my very first I couldn't get to sleep, everything after was somewhat fine. Then I started putting more effort. While I was still being myself, I would make the interviewer know I am relaxed, so I start some basic small talk (busy day? How are you, etc). This was great especially because I was job hunting in the summer and a lot of people are either planning to go on or have just come back from their holiday, making it an excellent topic to start with.

Reference/background wise, well, not bragging but I am good/honest at work and get on well with all my managers I've come across (earning independant freedom/trust, etc. I get the job done all the time, they never need to really ask unless it's urgent). So they were more than happy to write a reference letter/fill out a form sent to them from interviewers when I called them up for a chat and asked them about it.

Also, as Onion pointed out, the economy. God damn the economy. I seriously do think the impact on this is making it extremely more difficult to find a job.

Body language is quite important. I slouch into a relaxing position nowadays compared to sitting up erect like a statue. And I use my hands a lot. And look at interviewers in turns if I'm talking, whereas I'll face the one who's talking to me.

One other thing I would like to point out, and this goes back to university. During presentations that we have to give as part of an excercise for a subject, we are marked upon our "Q&A" abilities. Similar to an interview really.

Please, please avoid using the words:

Basically and Like

My group of friends picked this up after 2-3 people gave their demonstration. If you have to use it, use it sparingly, try not to start every answer with that word (followed by like).

"Basically" makes the person asking the question feel small (that's the hint we felt, your mileage may vary) and "Like", well, everyone uses "Like" like (lol) all the time, and it is so easy (to like...) (See what I did there?) pick up on it. Try sitting in a bus filled with dumb shit kids/teenagers. The times they use the word in every fucking sentence that spills out their cunt of a mouth is so annoying I want to punch them down.

[Colenzo]

Always act like you are interested in what the person has to say even if its boring, try to keep eye contact at all times. If hes not making eye contact with you, take a look around if you are in an office of some sort and question various things. Usually when they let their guard down about personal stuff they can see that you are a sociable person and it makes the whole interview process smoother. This works for me but just basically try to be as calm as possible and try not to come across nervous because nobody wants a person working for them that crumbles under pressure.

Cliffnotes:
Put on a show, act a little show some adversity.
Try to seem interested in everything.
DO NOT BE NERVOUS this is a very bad thing.
Feel the person out and play them to your advantage.

[The Stig]

Follow up on Colenzo's post:

Have a couple of websites handy (but not a blog, maybe), perhaps a mini site with some guide you've wrote for your hobby(s), i.e. FFXI or perhaps a site where you publish a lot of literature on (reviews perhaps, where in this case a blog will be quite good). If the interviewer has a machine nearby and asks what you do and stuff, show him the website. As long as it doesn't look like a typical myspace page with millions of emo songs playing at once and snow flakes/blood/shit everywhere, you're in a good position (plus, more to talk about). He won't really read it while you are there, maybe when you are out, but it might burn into his mind, makes you stick out.

[Kurp]

I have a question that's fairly on-topic so I hope I don't hijack.

I'm about 6 months from finishing an IT associates and I have all these vouchers for certification exams and access to practice tests. What order is recommended for them? I can do A+, Network+, MCSE for XP/Vista, Security+, and soon Cisco. I was thinking A+ and Network+ first as they seem the most basic.

I'm not looking forward to job hunting and interviews as all my jobs have either been on the family farm, walk on snowboard instructor cause I'm good, and a custom farm job I got 30 seconds after I called. I'll pay attention to this thread because I have no experience in interviews at all. :/

[Ryany]

Ok i just did like my 4th interview for a network admin job and it's the 4th no i get today, and getting depressed.....

I feel it is being somewhat hard on yourself to automatically assume that you blew the interview. How do you know that a lot of these jobs didn't just have 10-20 people lined up interviewing for the same job? Just like it is a great buyers market and a terrible sellers market in housing, it's a great employer's market and a terrible employee's market. With more skilled people out of work than there have been in a long time, an employer can get away with being pickier.

[Brill Weave]

We need to petition a change to Rata's title to "Bad at Engrish" just so we can avoid people giving him a hard time lol. Poor frenchy.

[Ratatapa]

Thank you all for the help i'll see what i can do

I feel it is being somewhat hard on yourself to automatically assume that you blew the interview. How do you know that a lot of these jobs didn't just have 10-20 people lined up interviewing for the same job? Just like it is a great buyers market and a terrible sellers market in housing, it's a great employer's market and a terrible employee's market. With more skilled people out of work than there have been in a long time, an employer can get away with being pickier.

I am a pessimist person in life, well i start optimist and finish pessimist fast, young stuff storry blabh blah, but i was used to be like the it's his fault person getting accused of all when i was young.

And now i kinda have the reflex to applogize for nothing taking all the blame to myself even if it's not my fault.

As the BC for my jobs i took it out, i was younger stupid and aless serious so maybe it does give me a problem.

As for practice/nervous like i says. I do practice with friends and even with my dad sometimes. i am 0% nervous i can sleep fine and all, but it start when i enter the office (i am a shy guy from the beginning so).

And lastly Theres 2 question ican never answer (like most people) What are your job accomplishment (i have none i just came out of school ....) What are your salary attents (i always say what the job standard is) but they always replicate with we want a number.

I hate those questions. And as you read since i'm a giant pessimist it's hard for imo to sell myself.

Anyway gonna practice more i guess thx ^^

[Dimmauk]

Ok i just did like my 4th interview for a network admin job and it's the 4th no i get today, and getting depressed.

Tbh i don't know if it's my experience that has the problem or just my interview attitude

i have 3 years experience in that job, and i have put a reference in my CV that i wasn't actually in good term with that boss (so i don't know if my interviewer called him)

But since it's job experience in the domain i kept it, should i take it off my CV?

As for interview i can't stop shaking i practice alot but when i get there i'm all shaking and talking blah blah kinda.

Any tips? this is getting bad

Keep trying! I had 5 different interviews at Rackspace, and was over qualified for a couple of them, and I still got a No. It does start wearing on you, especailly when its a position that you used to be the manager of. Keep Spamming your resume out there, and you will get something.

[volcanicweather]

And lastly Theres 2 question ican never answer (like most people) What are your job accomplishment (i have none i just came out of school ....) What are your salary attents (i always say what the job standard is) but they always replicate with we want a number.

I hate those questions. And as you read since i'm a giant pessimist it's hard for imo to sell myself.

Anyway gonna practice more i guess thx ^^

Interviewing is all about selling yourself, but being very subtle about it. Half the battle is convincing whoever is interviewing you that you are a good hire. It sounds like you're lacking confidence - you need to fix this.

In regards to your questions...

1) Because you have no accomplishments, spin the question to focus on what you want your FUTURE accomplishments to be and make sure these are achievable within the company you're interviewing for (i.e. IT systems manager or whatever). Employers don't like to churn employees, given your experience they want someone who they can groom and grow with for the long haul and you need to make it seem like you'll be there for a long time if you land the job.

2) Say a number. If you don't say a number it makes you look ignorant/lazy because you don't even know your own industry. There's plenty of resources to use online to find this information.

[The Stig]

What are your job accomplishment (i have none i just came out of school ....)

If you have none, answer with accomplishments you did in school (but in the OP you said you held 3 years?):

i.e. I arranged/organised this event
I was team leader of this group work
I designed this this that
I wrote the daily head line news for the school

What are your salary attents (i always say what the job standard is) but they always replicate with we want a number.

volcanicweather pointed it out, research and know the average/going rate.

[Ashokan]

The best short term advice is to scour the internet for interviewing tips. There is so many of those websites it's almost a joke. Nonetheless, I think most have good tips.

Personally, I like to bring a lot of questions for the interviewer. Usually, if you can get them to answer a decent question, they will start rambling about something and take pressure off of you.

once you get to an interview it's not the economy that's losing you those jobs.

I agree and I don't. It's true that once you're in the interview, you have more control than any other part of the process. On the other hand, because of the economy, the competition is a significantly better. When I was hired at my current job, they were hiring 2 programming positions, my first interview (a short interview) they interviewed 30 people and the second interview they still had 8. Of course, I'm in Michigan, where unemployment is off the charts and you can be on unemployment for 79 weeks, but I don't think that situation is out of the ordinary.

My point is, it's okay to not get a job in 4 interviews, it's okay to not get a job in more than that. When applying for jobs which require education and experience, only a fraction of people interviewed get a job.

[volcanicweather]

I'm in Michigan, where unemployment is off the charts and you can be on unemployment for 79 weeks

Not to derail, but holy shit, is this true?

That's a year and a half...

[Ashokan]

Not to derail, but holy shit, is this true?

That's a year and a half...

Yep, I believe it's broken down as:

• 26 weeks of state unemployment benefits
• 33 weeks of federal emergency benefits
• 20 weeks of extended benefits

[Mizango]

I feel it is being somewhat hard on yourself to automatically assume that you blew the interview. How do you know that a lot of these jobs didn't just have 10-20 people lined up interviewing for the same job? Just like it is a great buyers market and a terrible sellers market in housing, it's a great employer's market and a terrible employee's market. With more skilled people out of work than there have been in a long time, an employer can get away with being pickier.

^ Exactly. Rata, I know you all too well man. Don't get nervous, smile a bit, just be optimistic during the interview. You have to keep in mind that your body language and attitude are major tip offs to the kind of person they are looking to bring in. Don't beat yourself up assuming you blew the interview, I know you are pessimistic lol, we have had many a discussions about that. Be happy, think about this being the last hurdle that will free you from the oppressive reign of your slave masters and you'll be on your own lol. Gotta love family.

Anyway, I have another web conference at in 16 mins. Ill hop on Google shortly after, I am interested in what your interviewer had to say in response to your email as to why. Don't beat yourself up about it, some things are just out of your control man. He'll it's happened to me and probably a shit ton of people reading this thread as we speak.

[Ratatapa]

oh he refused to answer saying i should know my stuff and blah blah

Aka he's expecting me to be perfect and knowing my errors it seems