There are several mistakes that can leave an interviewer with a negative impression of a candidate. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when interviewing for an animal related career:
1. Not dressing appropriately
Just because you are interviewing for an animal-related position does not mean that it is acceptable to wear barn clothes or veterinary scrubs for an interview. It is always better to be slightly overdressed for an interview than to be underdressed.
Even if you are interviewing for entry level positions you should consider wearing a nice polo or button down shirt and khaki pants. For more managerial or office-based roles a suit or business casual look is usually appropriate.
2. Negative nonverbal communication
Looking bored or behaving in an overly casual manner may give the impression that you are not serious about interviewing for the position being offered. Nonverbal forms of communication that can leave a negative impression include slouching, fidgeting, not making eye contact, having no facial expressions, crossing your arms, or chewing gum.
To appear professional, begin by sitting upright in your chair or leaning slightly towards the interviewer. Smile from time to time when appropriate. Mirror some of the behaviors of the interviewer.
3. Bringing a cell phone
There is nothing more unprofessional than being distracted by calls or text messages during your interview. In fact, it is best to turn the phone off and leave it in the car when you arrive at the interview site—you should assume you are being observed from the minute you walk in the door to the reception area.
It may be hard for some candidates to go off the grid for an hour, but giving your complete focus to the interviewer is very important.
4. Not researching the company
The internet is a wonderful tool. Go online, review the information available via the company’s website, look for news or new product developments, and educate yourself about the place you hope will be your future employer. You can also run a simple Google search for recent news stories or industry publications that mention the organization. Know something about the company’s history and future goals before you walk in the door.
This background research can help you develop a few intelligent questions to ask at the point where the interviewer inevitably asks “do you have any questions for us?” Ignorance about the organization shows a serious lack of preparedness. A good question or two will make you more memorable.
5. Making negative comments about your current boss
Talking trash about your employer never reflects well on you as a candidate. The animal industry can be something of a small world, and the person you are badmouthing could easily be connected to your interviewer. Certain fields have particularly high levels of interconnectivity, such as the Thoroughbred horse racing industry or the veterinary pharmaceutical sales industry. In a world where everybody seems to know everybody, err on the side of caution.
6. Arriving late
You should never arrive late to a job interview for any reason. It is better to plan to arrive 20 minutes early and wait in the parking lot than to be tied up in traffic (and have to make excuses that will probably fall on deaf ears). If you think you will have trouble finding the location, map it online and take a drive the day before so you will know exactly where you are going.
7. Not pointing out all transferrable skills
If you have experience in any type of animal career, you likely already have a variety of skills that will be applicable to other animal-related positions. While many of these transferrable skills may be listed on your resume, don’t forget to consider all possibilities that demonstrate your added value as a candidate. Did you complete an equine internship or pre-veterinary internship during college? Did you work at a vet clinic? Skills gained through these experiences can be readily worked into the conversation.
8. Not writing a thank you note
It may seem old fashioned, but a handwritten thank you note always makes a good impression. Thank the interviewer for considering you for the position and let them know you are very interested in working for them in the future. The note will keep you fresh in the interviewer’s mind since less than half of candidates take the time to send one, and if they have not yet made a final decision it could tip the scales in your favor.