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Job Interview Deal Breakers

I recently interviewed a candidate for a job that requires extensive communication with a top client of ours. Although he had a picture perfect background for the job, I didn't hire him. Here's why - he talked too much. And it occurred to me that although I've seen quite a bit written about how to ace an interview, including a recent post on jobsearchsecrets.net, there needs to be more tips on absolute deal breakers to avoid. For example, here are my top five: 1) Talking too much. No surprise here but not only does droning on too long turn interviewers off, it also indicates you may have difficulties listening as well. Candidates who actively listen and take notes during an interview as well as deliver succinct, example-rich answers will fare better than those who try to deliver a thesis in 60-minutes. 2) Failing to have a basic understanding of the company and what it does. If I ask a candidate a basic question about how his or her skills will benefit the organization and I get a blank stare, game over. 3) No suit, no job. I know business casual has become a near norm these days, but in my opinion, that mantra hasn't seeped into the realm of job interviewing. Just be safe and wear a suit. You can go back to business casual when you've landed the job. 4) Begging will get you nowhere. Even if you've been unemployed for months or years, make sure you don't act desperate. Being overly excited or overtly needy puts a red flag in the mind of your interviewer. 5) Failing to make a case for yourself. If you haven't formulated in your mind ahead of time how your specific background and skills fit well with the potential position, just don't go. Your primary purpose in the interview is to appropriately market what you have to offer and demonstrate why you will greatly benefit your prospective employer. So, there you have it. My contribution to your job interview preparation. In my opinion, these are the basics of interview etiquette. Breaking any one of these rules are well... a deal breaker.