Common Mistakes

These are the most common mistakes I see applicants make that keep them from being hired.  Don't make the same ones.

Lack of Preparation - Reading through this website is a great first start. You uniquely own your preparation, take advantage of that! Start tomorrow with the Action Plan listed below and prepare right up until the time you secure an offer with a Great Company. Remember that every contact with a company is an interview.

Deselection - Don't cut yourself from the game before the game begins. You can't decline an offer until you have an offer. If you think you've not done well with an interview or phone contact, let them tell you that, but try harder in the future.  Often times you are a worse critic of your performance than the recruiter.

Selling yourself short - Sell yourself as THE BEST possible person for the job. To do this you must have a clear understanding of what the company is looking for and how your skills and capabilities line up with this. The best interview question for you is, "Why do you want this job?" You must nail this question and leave the interviewer speechless.

Be Realistic - The harsh reality is that not everyone is a fit for every company. Do your research to understand how well you measure up. If there are areas of your resume you need to strengthen, put the effort into doing it at your current job. After a few interviews if you can tell you are not a fit for a certain company move on. Remember that there are hundreds of them out there. If there are major requirements that you need and don't have like a certain degree, engineering license, etc. you obviously must get those. But it has been my experience that most great jobs can be secured by individuals with a bachelors degree with decent grades and great skills and capabilities as reflected in the resume. Remember that the company is hiring you to help them make money. This is about what you can do, more than what you know!  

Action Plan