Interview Tips: CareerBuilder (page 1 of 2)	
Interview Tips: CareerBuilder.com
CareerBuilder.com (internet job search site) surveyed employers about mistakes job 
seekers make during 
job interviews and tips for successful interviews.  Here are the most co
mmon interview mistakes:
62%  Appearing uninterested in the job and company during the interview
53%  Not dressing correctly for the job interview
53%  Acting arrogant (putting others down) during the job interview
50%  Talking negatively about current or past supervisor
49%  Answering cell phone or texting during interview
39%  Know nothing about the company
33%  Not giving examples of work experience, skills, and strengths when asked
Employers say that communication  is more than words — it is how you act.   Employers listed the worst 
body language (how you act) mistakes made during job interviews:
70%  Failure to look at the interviewer or make eye contact with the intervie
wer
44%  Failure to smile during the job interview
35%  Bad posture when walking into and while sitting during the job interview
35%  Fidgeting (moving around) too much in one's seat during the job interv
iew
29%  Playing with something on the table or interviewer's desk
24%  Crossing one's arms over one's chest while talking to interviewer
24%  Playing with one's hair or touching one's face during the interview
Rosemary Haefner, Vice President at CareerBuilder said, "A job interview can be one of the most 
nerve-wracking experiences out there, so it is important to  plan and practice.  Have a friend talk through a 
mock (practice) interview with you, asking questions you think will co
me up and some curve balls 
questions you are not expecting.  Research the company ahead of time to 
understand its products.  Write 
answers to interview questions explaining your experience and skills".  
The most common surprise questions that employers like to ask include:
Why do you want to work for this company?
•  Say something good about the company and products.  Then, connect your skills and experience with 
the skills and experience needed for the job opening.  Say how your skil
ls and experience will help you 
be a good worker in this job.
How would your best friend describe you?
•  Answer this question with positive traits that describe you as a good wo
rker for 
the job opening.   Be prepared by sharing your answer with a friend before the 
interview because the  interview might say, "May I have the phone number of 
your best friend to call and see how they describe you?"  Then the employer 
looks at your face to see if you are calm or stressed as the friend is c
alled.
How do you get rid of stress?
•  Interviewer is looking for positive suggestions (such as exercise, spor
ts, or 
hobby) from you rather than saying that you use drugs or alcohol for st
ress.

Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Interview Tips: CareerBuilder (page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
How do you keep your life organized?
•  Say you use a planner, electronic calendar, or daily list of "things to do" to keep 
organized.  This proves that you are organized and responsible.
What goals have you achieved in the last year?
•  Be prepared to list 2 or 3 classes completed and/or skills learned durin
g the last 
year. 
How do you deal with conflict?
•  Sample answer:  "I try to get along with everyone.  If there is a conflict, I try to respect other people and 
listen to their points of view.  Then, I try to talk to reach a solution together to solve the issue."
What experiences or skills will make you a good worker in this job?
•  List your skills gained from sports teams, school clubs, hobby, volunteer, and paid work experience — 
in addition to skills learned in your classes such as computers, draftin
g, electronics, or creative writing. 
What are your short-term and long-term goals?
•  Do not say, "I don't know" or make up fake goals during the interview.  Short-term goals are what you 
plan to do and learn next year — "I plan to get good grades during my
 senior year in high school and 
learn Graphic Arts skills."  Long-term goals are what you plan to do after next year —
 "After high 
school graduation, I plan to enroll in our city's community college with
 a Nursing major."  Remember 
that your goals need to fit the job.  If you interview for a job in June, you cannot say that you plan to 
move out of state in August unless the job opening is only for June and July. 
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CareerBuilders.com is a good place to find information about the job hunt process.  
You will find articles on Find the Job, Get the Job, On the Job — as well as Special 
Topics of Salaries, Resumes, Skills, Interviews, and News & Trends.
To read additional valuable job interview tips, go to CareerBuilders.com.
  Scroll to the bottom, and click on 
"Career Development and Learning," the "Read more articles."
1.  List the top 5 common interview mistakes.
2.  Communication is more than what?
3.  Describe 3 body language (how you act) 
  mistakes during job interviews.
4.  According to Haefner:  a) What is important?  
  b) What should you have a friend do?  c) What 
should you research ahead of time?  d) To what 
should you write answers?
5.  Connect your skills and experience with what?  
6.  a) Write down your answer to the question:  
How would your best friend describe you?  
  b) What do you do to "be prepared"?  c) What 
might the interviewer say?  d) Why will the 
employer then look at your face?
7.  What can you say you use to keep organized? 8. 
Write down a sample answer for the question: 
How do you deal with conflict?
9.  List your skills gained from what 6 things?
10.  Write down your answer to the question:
  a) What are your short-term goals?
  b) What are your long-term goals?
11.  Pretend that you are a manager in a grocery 
store.  a) Write down 3 interview questions you 
would ask job seekers who came to your 
  grocery store asking for a job. 
12.  Write down good answers for the 3 interview 
questions you asked in Question #11. 
13.  Give the name of a website that is a good place 
to find information about the job hunt process.
14.  Do you think you would like to read the article 
on this website about the job hunt process?