Tag Archives: interview tips

The Top 7 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Hire Priority

The Top 7 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview

Job interviews are nerve-wracking. Even the most prepared of candidates can find themselves rambling or stuttering once they are face to face with an interviewer.

But no matter how nervous you get, there are many things that you should never say in a job interview. These phrases are automatic red flags to an employer, signals that they should move on to the next candidate as quickly as possible.

Especially in the case of apartment jobs, acing your interview is crucial. Leasing positions require candidates who are outgoing and able to communicate well. If you are committing the following faux pas in your interview, an employer is likely to assume you will make similar mistakes while on the job. Make sure to steer clear of the phrases:

 

  1. “I don’t like my job.”

Bad mouthing an employer or job will make you look unprofessional. If possible, try to maintain a positive attitude and avoid discussing situations where you may sound negative during your interview.

  1. “I can’t think of a weakness.”

Not being able to list a weakness when asked can come across as boastful. No one is perfect; and your employer needs to know how your strengths and weaknesses will fit with their team.

  1. “%$*@!”

Swear words should not be used when applying for a job…no exceptions.

  1. “I don’t have any questions.”

Not having any questions for your interviewer can rub them the wrong way. When an employer asks all of the questions and you have none in response it can look as if you don’t really want the job.

  1. “What position is this for?”

Make sure you have researched the company or property you are interviewing with, as well as the position, before your interview. If you have any uncertainty about which position you are applying for, it will be difficult to convey that you are right for the job.

  1. “Sorry, I am so nervous!”

Most people are nervous when they walk into interview, and your employer knows this. If you are stumbling for the right word or don’t know what to say, don’t use nervousness as an excuse; instead, take a breath and start again with confidence.

  1. “How much time do I get off?”

An employer will probably mention how many vacation and sick days you get, which means that you don’t need to bring it up first. Asking this question during an interview can give the impression that you are already looking for ways to slack.

Apartment jobs are competitive enough as is—don’t give yourself a disadvantage by letting one of these phrases slip during an interview. Not all candidates are aware of how these phrases can rub employers the wrong way; but making sure that you don’t say them will get you one step closer to landing the job.

Looking for an apartment job? Submit your resume for open positions in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

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7 Hiring Secrets Employers Won’t Tell You

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Hire Priority

7 Hiring Secrets Employers Won’t Tell You

 

In Texas’ big cities, Houston and Austin in particular, there is a high demand and high number of candidates for apartment jobs. Now more than ever, employers must sift through large numbers of applicants as quickly as possible.

 For job seekers, this means that first impressions are crucial.  If you only have a few seconds to capture an employer’s attention, then you can’t get caught making any mistakes that will raise a red flag.

Often, you may not know that you are committing these mistakes that are so obvious to an employer—and they won’t let you know that you’re doing them either. Here 7 mistakes a recruiting employer wont’ tell you that you’re making:

1.    Employers spend 5-10 seconds looking at each resume

5-10 seconds to scan a resume may not seem like a long time; however, it is usually enough determine if a candidate has the required skills and experience to excel at a particular apartment job. Make the most of these seconds by creating a resume that is error-free and clearly states your previous job titles and dates of employment.

2.    Your resume is too long

No matter how qualified you are for a position, if your resume is too long it is easy for your qualifications to be lost on an employer. Less is more in this case: make sure you include relevant experience and job descriptions, but keep it within 1-2 pages.

3.    Submitting a picture with your resume can look unprofessional

This is more of an unwritten rule in the recruiting world. Unless an employer specifically requests a headshot, there’s no need to submit one.

4.    Your cover letter wasn’t competitive

You may feel satisfied that you found a solid online template and plugged your cover letter into it; but this is not likely to impress an employer. Most cover letters look the same, and if yours doesn’t stand out in appearance or content, then it’s going to be hard to make your first impression count.

5.    You said too much in your interview

Everyone gets a little nervous when they step into a job interview; and sometimes the result is that you may talk more than you should. Take a breath, relax, and let your interviewer lead.

6.    Your appearance is not professional

Because first impressions are so important while job hunting, your attire should be top-notch professional. Appearing disheveled, mismatched, or too casual will all raise red flags to a potential employer, and could potentially ruin your chances for an apartment job.

7.    Sincerity matters 

Last but not least, employers can pick up if you are not sincere. Whether you tell a white lie in your interview or are not genuinely interested in a job—employers can usually pick up on a lack of sincerity. On the other hand, if you are sincere in the job-hunting process it can go a long way.

 

Now that we’ve given away some of employers’ biggest recruiting secrets, don’t forget to remember them while you’re applying for your next job!

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Job Hunting 101: Don’t Put All of Your Eggs in One Basket

Posted on April 18, 2014 by James G. Lenhardt, CPC, CTS

 

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Job Hunting for Success

 

Many people are elated when they get a call for an interview—or, even better, when they walk out of an interview confident they’ve nailed it. While these are both causes for celebration (I don’t mean to be a complete downer), you shouldn’t slow your job search just because you think you have a strong lead. Otherwise, you could miss a perfect opportunity and wind up with no job offers at all.

Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket! Until you’re officially hired, don’t do these 3 things that will hurt your job hunt:

1. Don’t Assume You’ve Got the Job

“We’ll be in touch.” – Famous last works from many an interviewer. Whether an interviewer says they will ‘be in touch’ or that they want you to start tomorrow—a job offer isn’t final until the paperwork is signed.

Especially in growing industries, such as the healthcare job market in Houston, a job is not a sure thing until it is official. With so many candidates, you never know when someone more talented or qualified could come in and sweep an employer off their feet. (Don’t let this happen to you – see: How to Write a Standout Resume).

2. Don’t Stop Improving

Applying for jobs is like a full time job. How can you spend 40 hours/week applying to jobs? Because you shouldn’t just be applying to jobs. You should also be constantly improving your resume, skills, and LinkedIn profile. Too many candidates get sucked into stagnation as they wait to hear from jobs that never pan out.

Looking for a healthcare job? The healthcare industry is one of the best examples of continually improving yourself. Even if you are out of work, check out opportunities to continue learning new skills in order to stay competitive.

3. Don’t Stop Moving Forward

Whether you’ve applied to 50 jobs or 1, don’t stop expanding your job search. If you’ve applied to 50 jobs and not received an offer, re-vamp your resume to make it stand out more. Or, if you don’t know where to look for jobs, try asking around your social networks for suggestions.

But no matter what: don’t stop moving forward. New jobs surface on the market every day; and if you aren’t continually expanding where you are looking and whom you are talking to, you can miss out on a perfect opportunity.

Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket—keep searching and honing your skills as a candidate to stay competitive and receive the best possible job offer.

 

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Interview Mistakes We’ve Seen & How to Avoid Them

Posted on February 5, 2014 by James G. Lenhardt, CPC, CTS

Common Interview Mistakes We’ve Seen & How to Avoid Them 

job interview mistakes

            Most interview disasters can be avoided with preparation. That’s not to say that accidents never happen—spilled coffee on your best shirt or car troubles on the way to the meeting—but you should always prepare in order to avoid mistakes that signal a red flag to employers. Here’s our list of the most common:

1. Arriving Late

First impressions are crucial, and if you are late to your interview you will be starting your interview off with a setback. Arriving on time communicates that you are professional and respectful of your potential employer’s time.

2. Dressing Unprofessionally

Dressing too casually is likely to leave a lasting impression in your interviewer’s mind—sometimes more than arriving late or saying the wrong thing; an unprofessional outfit can set you back. Always dress one notch up from the expected dress code in order to show a professional attitude.

 3. Not Knowing the Position You’re Applying For

Too often candidates walk in to an interview unsure of the type of apartment job they are applying for or what it requires. If you are unsure of the position you are interviewing for then it is going to be difficult to convince your interviewer that you truly want it. A simple way to avoid this is to research the position and the company beforehand.

4. Giving Away Too Many Weaknesses

When asked “What is your greatest weakness?” you should give an a weakness; but it doesn’t have to be one that could be held against you as a candidate. Some interviewees will list several of their genuine flaws, which can convince an interviewer that they aren’t right for the job.

 5. Talking Too Much

Perhaps due to nerves or an eagerness to prove themselves, some people have a tendency to talk the entire time of their interview. If this is you then take a breath and focus on listening and responding to your interviewer, whose job it is to lead the interview.

 6. Not Asking Any Questions

While talking too much is a bad interview habit, so is not talking enough. Your interviewer will expect you to ask questions, so come with a couple prepared. Not asking questions will make you seem uninterested or unmotivated to get the job.

 7. Talking Negatively about Previous Bosses

An interview should be a time to showcase you most positive aspects, and talking bad about a previous boss is a quick way to damper the atmosphere. Even if you feel strongly about a previous boss, an interview is not the place to discuss it.

 8. Poor Body Language

Beyond the words that are coming out of your mouth, pay attention to what your body language is communicating. Apartment jobs are usually fast-paced, so try to stay focused, upbeat, and confident during you interview and let your body language follow. If you appear tired or unsure during your interview an employer could assume that you will behave the same on the job.

 

Take measures against making these common mistakes and you will be at the top of the pack of applicants who are walking in to an interview for the same job. Remember–once you’ve prepared don’t worry about everything that could go wrong; stay focused on showing that you are the best fit for the job.

 

For more tips on how to improve your interview skills, check out 6 Tips to Leasing Interview Success.

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