We’ve all heard stories about the “boneheaded mistakes” some job candidates make during interviews, said Phyllis Korkki in The New York Times. “But that kind of cluelessness is rare.” The real make-or-break factors are more “subtle” and subjective, according to Susan Hodas of NERA Economic Consulting. She and her colleagues look at body language, verbal skills, and other qualities. They also apply the “airport test”—which is to say: “Would I want to be stuck in the airport for 12 hours with this person if my flight was delayed?”
Identifying your weaknesses—and improving on them—is a first step, said Candice Choi in the Associated Press. “Are you the rambler, the bore, or the one who sweats nervously?” Preparation is the next step, not because you want to “come up with a scripted answer,” but because you don’t want to be “caught off-guard” when asked such zingers as “what is your greatest weakness.” Be ready to turn questions around. If asked to “describe the worst boss you’ve ever had,” for instance, don’t just badmouth someone. Instead, talk about how you managed a difficult relationship.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
UK-India trade deal: how the social security arrangements will workThe Explainer A National Insurance exemption in the UK-India trade deal is causing concern but should British workers worry?
-
Man arrested after 'suspicious' fires at properties linked to Keir StarmerSpeed Read Prime minister thanks emergency services after fire at his former family home in north London
-
Elon Musk's SpaceX has created a new city in Texasunder the radar Starbase is home to SpaceX's rocket launch site
