This document provides tips on how to sabotage a job interview in 13 steps, such as fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, talking only about yourself, and not preparing. It advises altering this behavior to improve interviewing skills. Key tips include researching the company beforehand, practicing answering common questions, engaging in a two-sided conversation by asking questions, and bringing examples of work to showcase skills and qualifications for the role. The document emphasizes storytelling and knowing one's value to interview successfully.

1. How To Fail An Interview
In 13 Easy Steps & Save
Yourself
Executive search firm in Communications and
Marketing
Copyright 2013 by Lynn Hazan & Associates
Lynn Hazan &
Associates, Inc.

2. •Fidget. Sitting is overrated and boring. Spice
things up with rapid, erratic movement.

3. •Avoid eye contact! The interviewer won’t be
able to read you.

4. •Talk about yourself the whole interview. Get down to
business in the last 10 minutes! That way, it will be too late
to talk about anything important.

5. •Winging it is your strategy for success.

6. •Write the way you speak – long, rambling,
incoherent sentences.

7. •Resist coaching! You’re already the expert.

8. •Don’t prepare for an interview: your computer went down,
your family needs you. Plus, you already know everything
there is to know about the company.

9. •Tell a white lie here and there. Everyone lies about their
credentials!

10. •Claim that all of your writing samples are indeed yours.
When the hiring manager finds out that your well-written
samples are inconsistent with your current sloppy work,
simply shrug it off by stating “I created the first draft and
some editor finished it.”

11. •Be lifeless in your interview. Show no emotion or
enthusiasm; be as low key as possible.

12. •Avoid engaging in conversation with the interviewer. “Yes”
and “No” are great ways to nip a conversation in the bud.
DO NOT ask probing questions!

13. •DO NOT bring samples of your work.
•DO NOT bring additional materials to showcase your work.
•DO NOT bring extra resumes.

14. •Swear. Swear often. I mean, everyone does it. That way
everyone knows how cool you are.

15. • Many candidates sabotage their own
chances of success when interviewing. Do
you recognize your own behavior here? If
so, ask yourself if you want to win or lose
at the interview.

16. • If you want to win, then you need to alter
your behavior in order to change.

17. •To win, alter your behavior.

18. Why Should I Hire
YOU?
Write down your answers.

19. How to Create Your UPS
What makes you unique?
What makes you special?
What’s your story?
?
??
?
?
?

20. Preparation

21. Before the interview:
Research the company
1.Use the web and social media tools.
2.Look for recent articles.
3.Check out industry competition.
4.What is company known for?
5.What is the culture?
How do you fit?

22. Tough Questions? Not really
*Real interview questions*
Practice your answers!
• “How do you resolve conflict?”
• “Describe a time when you had to work as part of a team.
What was your role and what was the outcome?”
• “Why should we hire you?”
• “Describe your work ethic.”
• “Do you have any questions for me?

23. The Interview

24. Conversation & Dialogue
The interview should be a two-sided conversation.
•Be actively engaged.
•Ask probing questions.
•Yes/No answers = Conversation Killers.
•No Shy Talk.
•Be aware of dialog cues / turn-taking.

25. Role Playing in the Interview
•Be prepared to answer real life questions
-How would you handle…?
•Hypothetical questions / scenarios are on the
rise!
-How many tennis balls fit into a school bus?
-How many baseballs are sold in Chicago per year?

26. Frame the Process:
Storytelling at its Best
1.Problem or need
2.Opportunity or challenge
3.Strategies and tactics
4.Results
5.What you did with results

27. Portfolios
Examples of your work
-Not just for creatives
-Work you did as part of a team
Go Digital!
-USB/Flashdrive
-VisualCV, About.me, etc.
-blogs (Blogger, Wordpress,
Tumblr)

28. Money, money, money…
Know salary range for position
-Salary.com, Payscale.com, Monster, Glassdoor
-Consider stalling tactics:
-“What range were you considering?”
-“I feel it’s too early to discuss. I’d like to learn more.”
-Don’t get defensive

29. Wow Project
“Dazzle employers back”
with a “Wow!” project.
Shows initiative and
capability

30. To sign up for Lynn’s E-jobs, the free,
confidential listserv from Lynn Hazan &
Associates:
Clearly print your name and
email address on the sign up
sheet!

31. Contact Info
+ 55 E. Washington St.
Suite 715
Chicago, IL 60602
312-863-5401
lynn@lhazan.com
www.lhazan.com
@lynnhazan
Lynn Hazan
Lynn Hazan &
Associates, Inc.
Copyright 2013 by Lynn Hazan & Associates
Lynn Hazan, Anne Howard & Arthur
Hartnett