Painful interview mistakes occur at any age

From the outside looking in, it’s easy to see why some mature workers have a tough time getting a new job. The same goes for some younger folks entering the work force.

Here are some of the common mistakes that each generation makes:

By Andrea Kay
Gannett News Service

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2001993952_habits01.html

Younger worker mistakes

Picture this scene: Standing in a retail store recently, a 20-ish looking woman enters in flip-flops and sleeveless top — her midriff peeking out — and declares to a clerk, "I’m here for a job interview. I’m 45 minutes early."

No matter how casual the place, dressing like you’re heading to the mall with friends is no way to make a good first impression, let alone get a job.

And why would you show up 45 minutes early? If you want to scope out the place before the interview, that’s one thing — if you do it under cover and before the day of the interview. When you’re arriving for the interview, coming 10 minutes early is about right.

Another frequent problem: Younger people who talk so fast no one can understand them — especially leaving voice-mail messages.

Consider the young woman who called recently and left a voice-mail message asking for insight into why employers aren’t returning her calls.

"This is Amy Something-Or-Another," she said with the speed of lightning. She left a phone number which after being played back six times still was unintelligible. Hey, maybe no one calls back because they can’t understand you when you talk 150 miles per hour.

The casualness with which many young people speak also can be off-putting. Example: Caller dials the main number at a major university, where a young person answers and mumbles something unintelligible — "U of Something."

Mature caller: "Have I reached University X?"

Receptionist: "Yep."

When was the last time you called an organization and the operator said "Yep"?

Mature worker mistakes

As far as the mature work force goes, they may speak more slowly, dress more appropriately and understand proper decorum, but some have deeply engrained habits that are getting in their way.

Take the nicely dressed 50-something man who came to discuss his frustration in looking for new employment.

He entered the office and within 15 seconds was leaning forward in his chair, pointing his finger as he spoke, saying how much he could do and had accomplished and how no one appreciated him.

Obviously driven, dedicated and hard-working, he wanted to know what he was doing that was turning off employers. But he came across as aggressive, impatient and not giving a hoot about connecting to the person across from him.

He was concerned about an interview he was going to have with a woman. He referred to women as "gals." When it was suggested he refer to females as women, he snapped back: "You must be one of those women libbers."

No wonder he was having trouble. He may have put on the right clothes and had a strong work record, but with his ridicule, he showed his true colors. And you can bet employers pick up the same message.

Whether you’re just starting out or are a veteran, if you’re not getting anywhere in your job search, it’s worth asking someone how you’re coming across. Ask them to bring up even what may seem like a small thing because that’s what will end up being the big stuff that hurts you.

Career consultant Andrea Kay can be contacted at http://www.andreakay.com and

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