These judgments may not seem politically correct or even fair, but they happen. They are as much a part of the interview process as much as handing in your resume. When you hand them that resume, you are giving them the right judge, analyze and evaluate you and your life’s accomplishments. They want to see if you will fit the position they have available. They make that decision by judging you. They look at your mannerisms, personality, style and much more.
Whether these judgments are made subconsciously or on purpose, they are there and they do happen. You should be aware of these things before going into an interview. Do your best to prepare yourself so you can present the kind of person they want to hire.
These truths may seem harsh, but it’s reality. You should be aware of all these things before going in to an interview. Just remember, it’s not just your resume they’re looking at.
Here are 7 harsh truths about getting hired.
1. What’s in a Name?
The first thing your interviewer will see on your resume is your name. You want it to make a good impression. Think about the name you have at the top of the paper before sending it in.
Some nicknames are looked at as immature and childish. Let’s look at this from the interviewers perspective: you have two applicants trying to get the same position. You look at their resume and they are fairly similar. You look at their names, one is named Michael and the other, AJ. Judging by names alone, which one sounds more professional? And be honest! Of course Michael does. Nicknames are fine for friends and family members, even for coworkers once you have the job, but wait until you get the job before introducing yourself, “Hi! My friends call me Bubba.”
Unfortunately people will also judge you by the ethnic origin of your name. Names that are commonly associated with a specific race will be judged according to the interviewers’ general perception of that group of people.
It’s not about changing who you are; it’s about being strategic and getting yourself in the running so you have a chance at getting the job.
2. Hey Good Lookin’!
Looks matter. Good looking people are more likely to get hired than unattractive people. They get more callbacks and more job offers. Many attractive people have lived their life receiving compliments, praise, etc. this has resulted in having high self-esteem and confidence in themselves. People look for those qualities when hiring someone to work for them.
3. The Short End of the Stick.
Short people are less likely to be in higher paid or more reputable positions. People who hold prestigious positions usually have a very dominant personality. They are seen as confident, powerful and bold. Short people are rarely described with these words.
4. Age does matter.
You can be either too old or too young in their eyes. If you’re young they assume you don’t have any experience, in a career position or within the field itself. If you are considered to be too old, it might make them wonder why you are searching for a job at this point in your life. Why couldn’t you commit at your previous job?
5. You posted that on Facebook?
Social media accounts will be checked. We live in a technology based world. The things you post on your social media profiles are a reflection of who you are. Your posts will show your interests, vocabulary, maturity level, etc. These are all things a perspective boss will look into. They want to know the kind of person they are hiring and social media has made that easier than filing for a background check.
6. Your dog ate your resume?
Coming unprepared to an interview is one the worst things you could do. It forces the interviewer to make snap judgments about you that may or may not be true. They will assume you are lazy, irresponsible, you can’t prioritize, you procrastinate and much more. These are not thoughts you want running through an interviewers’ mind as you’re sitting in the chair across from them.
7. Zip code profiling.
People are aware of which zip codes represent what kind of community. Interviewers will judge you based on where you live. There are few things you can do if this situation is a possibility for you. Most people have stopped putting their address on resumes. A phone number and email address should suffice. Others will put a parent or family member’s address, if they live in a good community.
Searching for a job is hard enough. So many things factor into whether or not you get the job. It’s not only about your qualifications. Some of these factors are things that you might never have thought about, but they matter. There are items in this list that might be harsh, but it’s the reality of the job search world.
These are mistakes you could be making and not know. Sometimes the smallest thing could cause you not to get hired. Take these truths into consideration the next time you go in for an interview.
If you fall into one of these categories, we aren’t saying you don’t’ have a chance. We’re saying go in, be prepared and be the one to break the mold.
