OK, so let's assume you get past the technical part of the interview. Play you cards right, and it's not hard to do. You've managed to show you have a decent personality (which is VERY important in interviewing), and you think you have a good shot at landing the job. That's where we were with a couple of candidates in this interviewing session. However, the strongest candidates managed to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory, and blow their chances at getting the job. How?

In one case, a person was interviewed who, shall we say for legal reasons, is in a protected class of employment law. The interview was fairly strong, and he had a great shot at getting the job. However, when we asked this person if they had any questions, the first thing out of their mouth dealt with their protected status, and almost a “veiled“ insinuation we needed to be make sure we didn't take that into consideration. Up until that point, we hadn't even thought about it. However, it came clear that there was the potential for legal issues should this person become an employee.

In another case, the prospect was extremely strong. I had given my thumbs up almost wholeheartedly until we once again asked if they had any questions for us. It's always a good idea to ask for some feedback from your interviewers, and even lightly use a closing technique to get the interviewers to think you'd be right for the job. However, this prospect put each and every one of us on the spot requesting specific feedback for their interview. And I mean very direct, pointed and almost intimidating questions (I don't get intimidated, I just thought it was rude).

After the inquisition, he made this bold statement “Since there doesn't appear to be any resistance or negative feedback, I think you should just go ahead and make the offer.“ WTF?!?!? Well, it was politely stated that we had other candidates to consider, and we would be in touch soon.

This same candidate took it upon himself to continue the pressing over the next couple of days. He managed to obtain all of our individual email addresses, and send communications reiterating we should “choose“ him, like we were voting a tribe member out of Survivor or something.

Don't get me wrong, it's good to send thank you notes, and it's good to gently ask for feedback and sell yourself. Putting people on the spot is ABSOLUTELY not the way to do it though. Repeated unsolicited communication and badgering is also not a great way to get people to remember you positively after the interview. Say thanks, ingratiate yourself for allowing them to consider you, and get out.

You can also blow it in one question. When one candidate was asked what he liked to do in his spare time, his answer was “Anything dangerous.“ Great, an insurance risk! One guy mentioned he sleeps with his computer. Scary.

I might do a part three about resumes. I have a tale about a cocktail napkin, and a guy who claims to have invented the internet, but I guess I will save that for part III.