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1. Arriving Too Late or Too Early

Although it may seem obvious, it is imperative to arrive several minutes early to your scheduled appointment. Joe claims that running late can suggest a lack of punctuality and poor time management skills, whereas being on time is an effective way to showcase your interest in the position. Joe also reminds individuals not to arrive too early, as you do not want to disrupt an employer’s schedule. He therefore, recommends checking in anywhere from five to ten minutes ahead of time.

2. Seeming Unprepared

From preparing a concise and definitive ‘tell me about yourself’ answer, to researching the company and your interviewer, preparation is key to making a positive first impression. As is the case with the following four mistakes, try to put yourself in the shoes of the interviewer. If you have worked hard to build or grow a business, you will want to hire someone as enthusiastic, hardworking, and ambitious about it as you are. You want to be able to impress your interviewer by easily identifying company initiatives, projects, achievements, and pillars, so do not skip out on this crucial step.

3. Not Looking the Part

It is essential to perform research ahead of time to ensure your appearance aligns with the expectations of the company. Dressing appropriately shows the employer that you are serious about the position and displays a strong understanding of professionalism. Arriving in the right attire sets a standard, and also shows that you are willing to adjust to company culture.

4. Displaying Low Energy

Next, your interviewer wants you to be focused, alert, and present. Do not let yourself zone out during an interview. Getting distracted and missing a question is going to be a red flag for any employer. This may be especially hard if your interview is taking place in a public space, but make an active effort to listen attentively. Joe Visser explains that your interviewer wants to feel like this is important to you, so showcase that by being present.

5. Not Asking the Right Questions

An interview is an opportunity to showcase enthusiasm, ingenuity, and initiative. Once your interview is over and it is your turn to ask questions, do not show up unprepared. Joe Visser explains that it is important to remember that an interview is a two-way street, not only is your interviewer seeing if you’re a good fit, but you should be doing the same. Ask questions that provide crucial insight into the company: What is your company’s greatest challenge right now? What is your favorite aspect of working for this company? Is there opportunity for growth? Avoid questions about paid leave, salary, and other superficial questions. Even the questions you ask will be judged by your interviewer, so make sure that they are thoughtful.

Lastly, once your interview is over, ask about next steps and send a follow-up e-mail shortly after you leave. Failing to do this is one of Joe Visser’s pet peeves, as it shows a major lack of interest. Asking about next steps shows initiative and provides you with a realistic timeline, so you know when you expect to hear back. Sending a follow-up e-mail thanking the interviewer for their time, and re-iterating your interest in the position, is a great way to make a lasting impression. Depending on the timeline they give you, Joe Visser also suggests following-up if you haven’t heard anything for over a week.

The post President and CEO of WorkSteer Joe Visser Outlines the Top 5 Interview Mistakes appeared first on WorkSteer.

After a few years in electrical and robotics, Joseph found he had a knack for connecting people to their best career paths. He decided to change careers and spent the next decade as a successful branch manager for an established company.

Joe has always been a believer in hard work and making genuine connections for his clients and candidates. His more than twenty years of experience has made him an industry leader in placement and safety.

Where did the idea for WorkSteer come from?

The idea and concept for WorkSteer came from the notion that staffing companies shouldn’t just be trying to fill a spot for a day or a few weeks. The best solution for candidates and clients is to find the best employee for the position for a long term business relationship. Early on, I found I had a particular talent for finding someone’s strengths and matching them with the best job. Many of the people I have helped place are still in those positions.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I reach out every morning to all my branches. I like to discuss upcoming goals and check the status of established goals daily. I want to be sure we are reaching out to local colleges and high schools to find more talent. Throughout the day, I have meetings with clients and potential clients. We also conduct candidate interviews during the day. There is always something going on, you’re definitely always busy.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I have an excellent team of managers and employees who are veterans in this field. Together, if we think an idea is worth trying, we will brainstorm until we figure out the best way to put it into practice. Sometimes it’s simply trial and error, but we always discuss things to ensure we are all on the same page.

What’s one trend that excites you?

One of the best trends I have witnessed in my industry is the excitement candidates show when they see someone else be successfully placed. It’s an affirmation that they are in the right place and that we will find them their career. Word of mouth is still the best advertising. A lot of people seek us out because they know someone we have placed that is doing well.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I try to be very proactive and I strive each day to be better than the day before. I believe in educated decision-making and listening to multiple opinions before making a move. I’ve learned to trust those around me.

What advice would you give your younger self?

First of all, stay humble. Appreciate your successes and don’t focus too much on setbacks. I think every entrepreneur had that moment where they wonder if they’re taking the right path. As long as you strive to be your best, you will be successful.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

I refuse to allow the state of the economy or the unemployment rate to alter the success of my company. Back in 2008, when the economy took a dive, a lot of business owners allowed that to affect how they ran their day to day. I just kept moving with the full knowledge that my company would continue to be successful.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I recommend everyone keep a daily journal. It can be tough to remember every detail when you speak with so many people throughout the day. I encourage my employees to do the same. That way, you are not relying solely on memory, you have a list of what needs to be done, and I really think it helps keep you on task.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

My best strategy has been simply being different than the competition. There is a misconception about the staffing industry, that people use it because they are too lazy to find their own job. I feel like even some well-known companies have that belief. At WorkSteer, we actively strive to change that perception. We aren’t looking for day laborers, we want to connect people looking for a career to a company that needs their talent.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Understand that every small business is in competition with someone and the competition would love to see you fail. Once I realized this is just how business is, I accepted it and overcame it by simply doing the best for my clients and candidates. We take pride in knowing that we really get to know our candidates. We sit down and talk with each of them one-on-one. This alone sets us apart from others in the industry and it ensures we place the right people into the right roles.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I would love if someone could create an app that effectively manages the payroll process, especially in the staffing industry. Many are still so reliant on paper accounting. Having an app that both the client and the candidate can log into and review would be so much easier.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

We had a young athlete come through our office recently selling candy for her high school sports program. I ended up buying the whole box. Not only was I able to help her with her fundraiser, but we actually discussed what we can do for her career after high school. So, potentially, I have a future candidate I can help.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

While I am not a huge fan of social media, it is definitely an effective resource for recruiting new candidates and networking with new clients. We use several platforms to boost our visibility online.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. It’s an excellent read about a true innovator who wasn’t afraid to step outside the norm and was successful. For many of us, he made life more enjoyable just by pursuing his best self.

What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is my company motto, “seek a job, find a career”. We want everyone who works with us to find the career they dream of, to look forward to going to work every day.

Key Learnings:

• Never give up
• Be proactive
• Stay humble
• Build a great team

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