As the hiring market picks up and new technologies put marketers in high demand, it is important to be ready to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. With that, welcome to our weekly blog series on getting that marketing job you’ve always wanted. Each week we will discuss a new tip or technique you can use to land that job you’re after. Last week’s topic was Interview Do’s.

This week’s topic = Interview Don’ts

In last week’s post about tips for the actual interview, I provided a number of things that you should do to improve your chances of getting the job (or at least called back in for another interview). But what I left out are some things you definitely don’t want to do, things that could cement your position as an applicant they no longer wish to pursue.

That’s what this post is for!

First and foremost, you have to come prepared to talk. The worst thing that you can do is give short, one word answers to questions that your interviewer asks. Part of what an interviewer wants to find out is how successful a communicator you are. And you don’t show that by saying, I am a good communicator. You show that by having a conversation. Interact, and share examples to back up your answers to specific questions.

In the same vein, you should never say “no” when asked if you have any questions. You should be prepared to ask questions – about the company, the position, the culture, the goals, the office, etc. When you don’t ask any questions, it sounds like you don’t care, didn’t do any research or put any thought into it, or you’re just rushing to get it over with. An interview is as much about the employer finding the right candidate as it is about you finding the right fit for you. And if you approach it that way, you’ll have that much more confidence each time you walk into the room.

Finally, don’t negotiate or ask about salary too soon. When I say you should have questions to ask, “what is the pay” is not one of them. There will come a time to discuss compensation, but the first interview is usually not the time or the place. Wait for the follow up, or the offer.

Next week’s post will be focused on compensation and negotiation. But you have to get to that point first.

Have anything to add? Keep the conversation going in the comments below…