There are lots of things we might like to assume about the job interview process…the very first thing being that there are actually things we can absolutely count on from one interview to the next. Ways THEY must behave. Rules they will follow. Things we can do to land the job for sure. Assumptions all.
One of my favorite moments from The Odd Couple tells us what happens when we assume. (It’s about 5 minutes; truly a classic scene where Tony Randall as Felix Unger makes his point with panache.)
[httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKlWGZHEO7Q]
Obviously I’m leading up to the idea that interviews and the interview process are often inscrutable, as much as we wish we could find a magic formula to apply each time. (As some online information might lead you to believe.) But alas…there are indeed things we should never assume about the job interview process. And so…here’s my promised list:
Things NOT to Assume about your interview
- Having the best skills means you get the job.
- Not having all the required skills means you won’t get the job – and shouldn’t even apply.
- If they call your references you got the job.
- If they haven’t called your references yet you didn’t get it.
- Interviewers (even nice ones) will return your calls, e-mails, or desperate texts. (Some places have rules about only HR contacting you during the interview process; and even they might not answer you until they’re sure what they want to do. Sorry.)
- Not hearing back within the next week or so after your initial interview is a bad sign – or means anything at all.
- Waiting weeks & weeks for a second or third interview means you’re out of the running. (I once waited months and I was the top candidate.)
- Following up a lot is smart since it helps them remember you. (Oh…they will.)
- Not following up at all is smart since this way you aren’t bothering them. (Occasional phone calls or e-mails is not a bother unless they tell you it is. Just don’t stalk them or get all nuts if you don’t hear back.)
- You and the position you’re interviewing for is their #1, #2, or even #3 priority. (If they had all that spare time, they wouldn’t need to hire you.)
- Because you were nervous during the interview you won’t get the job. (Nerves are normal. Just try to stay in the moment, listen, be yourself, and answer as best you can; you’ll get through it. Taking time beforehand to think about some stories showing how your skills/experiences match the job requirements will help. Practicing ahead of time also helps.)
- If the interview went smoothly and you really hit it off with the interviewer, you got the job.
- The interviewer will like you better if you share lots of personal stuff. (It’s about the job and whether you’re a good match for the company; it’s not a blind date.)
- The interviewer knows what s/he is doing. (If they’re new to interviewing, try to find your own ways to talk about past experiences showing what a great fit you are. Just watch to see if they’re ok with you leading a bit – and be careful not to come off as pushy or condescending. )
- The interviewer doesn’t know what s/he is doing if the questions are mostly general or those frequently-asked ones like greatest weakness or greatest strength. (A good interviewer can use these to assess a lot more than you think.)
- They can never go higher than the highest stated salary for the position.
- Getting the highest salary possible is always a good thing.
- If you get away with a lie it won’t be caught later. (Unless of course you’re Don Draper on Mad Men who even lied about getting his job offer.)
- If you tell them the truth (rather than what you think they want to hear), they won’t hire you. (Got a great e-mail recently from a reader who already had an offer, and so decided to be honest about her situation with another job she really wanted but had assumed wouldn’t want her under the circumstances. She got the 2nd offer.)
- They won’t do a full background check. (Always assume they will. And if you have some credit issues, you might want to read here.)
- Your version of what an interview process should be has anything to do with reality.
So what’s my main point about assumptions?
To borrow from the immortal words of Felix Unger…when it comes to interviews, NEVER ASSUME! You’ll know when you know and not a minute before. In the meantime, try to stay relatively sane. And don’t try too hard to beat the system by finding the perfect answer or some secret interview sauce that will always work. One size does not fit all when it comes to interviews. Just be yourself, do your best, follow up politely (but not too often), and wait as long as it takes for them to do what they have to behind the curtain.
And in the meantime…don’t stop looking until you have an offer in hand that you actually want!
Oh…and as always…feel free to add your own things job seekers should “never assume.”
More Work Coach Cafe Interview Articles
How To Tell If a Job Interview Went Well
Job Interviews: Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
Job Interviews: What’s Your Greatest Weakness?
Job Interviews: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
8 Ways Job Search Advice Messes With Your Head
How to Answer Why You Left Your Last Job When You Quit
7 Things NOT To Do in an Interview
18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace that Interview
The Single Most Important Thing in Any Job Interview
15 Things I Look for When I Interview People
10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job
How Do I Ace My Phone Interview?
Help! I Get Nervous When I Interview for a Job
What Should I Be Thinking During a Job Interview?
Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview
12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview
Will My Low Credit Score Ruin My Chances for a Job Offer?
5 Ways Interviewers Make Job Seekers REALLY Angry
I was part of an interview to replace my immediate manager. The candidate who seemed the most qualified happened to be friends with a family member of the director from another department and used them as a reference. Well, he really drove the connection into the ground during the interview thinking it meant the job was his. He mentioned it at least 5 or 6 times. It turns out my director HATED the other director. Outside of business meetings, they didn’t even speak. The candidate was automatically removed from the running for what he thought was his magic ticket
to getting the job.
As a side note, we hired the weakest candidate because my director was impressed with her education. We fired her 6 months later because she couldn’t handle the job. Oh the stories I could tell about working for her:) To be honest, that first candidate should feel blessed because it was a crappy place to work.
First, when I saw the headline, I immediately went to Felix Unger in my head—how funny to see you beat me to it, Ronnie Ann. Second—and more important—what a great list! It is chock full of useful advice. Regarding assumption #10 about the priority placed on the position you’re interviewing for, I’ve found that the more urgent they say the need is to fill it, the longer the process can take—often because they’re putting out fires created by having no one in it. And if the position is that critical to their business, they want to be very sure they get the right person.
Nice list Ronnie! The thing to remember about the interview is that – generally – the hiring manager has a good sense that you can do the job. In the interview, they’re looking more at “fit,” with an eye to personality and how well you hit it off – or don’t – with the hiring manager and other interviewers.
Great stuff! Here’s another thing not to assume: The receptionist’s opinion of you doesn’t mean anything. Not so! Be nice to everyone!
What a great list, Ronnie! I’ll have to share this on line. Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for the kind words and great comments Ba, Terry, Rick, Barbara and Karen!
FYI: Starting a blogging & tweeting break today. But couldn’t leave without letting you know how much I appreciate your visits. See you in November!
Blogging Overload: Do You Give Yourself a Break?
~ Ronnie Ann
I’ve just discovered your site and am so impressed by your words of wisdom! Thank you so much for sharing them with all of us out here who are struggling with one of the most stressful situations in life!
Awww…thank YOU Dee. Very kind of you. And having bene there myself waaay more than once, I wholeheartedly agree with you!
I wish you much luck in your struggle.
Hi Ronnie Ann,
I had an interview a couple of weeks ago that I thought went extremely well. I was told by the hiring manager that I would hear from her soon. After not hearing for almost two weeks, I called her and she told me that they are going to have to intervew other candidates but haven’t started the process yet. She asked for my number so she could update me if needed. She also said that she appreciated that I followed up. This was not an interview for a specific position, but rather for an entire departent within the company that is hiring. What is your take on this? I see it as a polite rejection. What’s your take? Thanks so much.
Hi Confused!
I just wrote an answer to someone on another post that may shed some light:
After the Job Interview: Why Haven’t They Called Me Yet?
The short of it is, when there’s no specific job and they are just interviewing you to see if there’s a fit in general, there’s no way to know until they see more people. Kind of like when you’re casting a show.
Nothing you tell me makes me think you have been knocked out. But no way to know more until you hear back. (There is a Magic 8 Ball mentioned in the link above just for fun.)
If it helps, what you tell me is not unusual when a department is piecing itself together. Sounds like you did the best you could and I hope that means you’ll hear back from them soon. But meanwhile…redouble your efforts and keep looking. The positive energy helps and you never know what else pops up!
Good luck, Confused. Please let us know what happens.
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi, I received a phone call a few days after an interview and was asked if it was ok if the company could call my referees! Is this a good sign I got the job or is it common practice?
Hi Shane,
This typically is a good sign and means that you are — on average — one of the top three candidates for a position. I would not assume that you have been offered the position yet.
Good luck,
Chandlee
Is the following scenario unusual?
Had an interview on a Wednesday and thought it went well. It must have because the following Monday I was asked for my availability to schedule a second interview, and on Friday of that same week a status email that stated the employer was still coordinating other employee’s schedules for my follow-up interview.
HOWEVER, and now nearly two weeks after that status email, I have heard nothing. My situation seems curious in that it seemed certain I would get a second interview and then I just got dropped off the map. If I was awaiting an actual hiring decision I might be more patient. But what about this? Thoughts?
I had a phone interview and two face-to-face interviews. My first interview face-to-face was on Dec.6 and they called me back on dec.19 to schedule me for my second interview which was on jan. 3. The manager I interview with said that they would notify us the following week in the middle of the week, but I have yet to get a call or letter. They have been off with the times they’ve told me since I began interviewing with them, either they are earlier or later that what they originally told me. After the interviews I sent personalized thank you notes to each person that interviewed me to reiterate my interest.
I called on Tuesday January 15,2013 to follow up but the secretary said she doesn’t think a decision has been made but I would get a letter if I’m not chosen. I know they are suppose to start the training for this job in February and there were four positions open. I don’t know what to think??? Any thoughts? I’m really freaking out.
Hi MB,
Don’t freak out…apply for other positions as well so that you can ensure you have more than one option. If you only spoke with the secretary, you could probably also email the individuals who you interviewed with towards the end of this week. Don’t give up on this possibility, but don’t hang all of your options on this particular job either!
Good luck and all the best,
Chandlee