Interview Tips

How to Lose an Interview

John Brown is a “passive” candidate interviewing for a Manager level role that pays $135k with a $1Bil company in Chicago.  Why does “passive” matter?  It matters because it means that John has a job.  He’s not “looking”.  He is happy … he likes his boss; he’s working on exciting projects and he’s making good money AND at the same time, he is “open” to talking to me because I might have “the perfect job” that could change his life.   So …. he takes my call.  He sends me his resume, researches the company and says yes to the interview.

John’s first interview is a phone interview.  I “prep” John for the phone interview …. Why do I “prep” John?  I want him to win!  Why do I want him to win?  Because he wants to win!

What does John get when he wins the interview?   He gets invited to the next interview and if he keeps winning the interviews he gets the offer.  When he gets the offer, he gets to choose and he’s in control.

What happens when he fails the interview?  Game over … like sudden death … there are NO trophies / offers for 2nd place!

Back to John …. John passes the phone interview with flying colors … in fact, the CFO “loves” John.  The CFO invites John to interview with him in his office.

John is early … he passes the 1st test.  When John arrives, he is escorted into the CFO’s office by the CFO’s Admin Assistant … It just so happens that the Admin Assistant is young and very attractive.   John “hits on” her … BIG mistake.  He fails the 2nd test.

Entering the CFO’s office John promptly places his TWO mobile phones on the desk, sits down, rolls up his sleeves, leans back in the chair and lets out a loud sigh … he leans back so far that the CFO is thinking John is going to put his feet on his desk!   John fails the 3rd test …. NO self-awareness.

GAME OVER and John hasn’t even opened his mouth except to say hello.