Salary Negotiations Begin with Your Resume

Many job seekers state that their resumes win interviews, but they never receive offers. If after a series of interviews, you fall under this category, it’s time to assess what may be wrong. To rise above the no-callback pattern, let’s consider five job interview errors that could be holding you back.

· Though you should be an active participant in the interview process, you should not take over the interview. Ask questions when appropriate, but allow the interviewer to be in charge of the meeting.

· Perhaps the words you used during the interview did not fit in with the interviewer’s expectations. To find out if this is the case, recall the questions you were asked and write down your responses. Take note and see if you used passive phrases as “I believe” or “I think.”

· A frequent interviewer complaint is candidates who dress too conservatively or too casually. This point may seem like a no-brainer, but based on hiring managers’ pet peeves, the majority cite inappropriate dress as a factor in eliminating otherwise-qualified job seekers. If you are unsure of how to dress, ask the recruiter. Or you can visit the hiring organization to see how the employees dress.

· It’s possible you are interviewing with the wrong companies. Let’s use the position of a bank teller to illustrate this point. Bank tellers, no matter which financial institution, have the same job responsibilities (e.g. executing financial transactions, relationship management). The difference between fitting in or not lies in the culture of the organization.

For example, a conservative bank such as Citibank may seek candidates that are reserved. On the other hand, a contemporary institution such as Commerce Bank may prefer candidates with a more approachable personality. Keep in mind that just because an open position matches your experience, that doesn’t mean that the company is the right fit for you.

· Another mistake is not following up. Hiring managers, in large part, base their decision on an interviewee’s enthusiasm. They understand that job-related skills can be taught but soft skills such as communication and integrity are harder to come by. Sending a thank-you letter demonstrates your interest in the organization.

Without being in the same room with you, it is difficult to determine the exact error(s) you may be committing. The above list serves as suggestions to get you thinking. As an add-on, consider asking yourself the following questions after every interview.

• Did the interviewer at any time have a look of disappointment on her face? If so, recall the question and your answer. How could you have answered the question differently? - Did the interviewer ask you a question that caused you to stumble? If so, recall the question and your answer. If given an opportunity, how would you readdress the question?

Answering these questions will get you one step closer to determining—and correcting—your area of weakness.