What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

Ignorance isn't bliss when it comes to the job hunt, a new Accountemps survey shows. Nearly four in 10 (38 percent) managers polled said knowing little or nothing about the company is the most common mistake job seekers make during interviews.

The survey was developed by Accountemps, a global staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with more than 1,000 senior managers at companies with 20 or more employees.

Senior managers were asked, What do you think is the most common mistake candidates make during job interviews? Their responses:
 

•                         Little or no knowledge of the company.......       38%
•                         Unprepared to discuss skills and experience..    20%
•                         Unprepared to discuss career plans, goals.......  14%
•                         Lack of eye contact........................................10%
•                         Late arrival...................................................  9%
•                         Limited enthusiasm........................................  9%
•                                                                                              100%

Knowing about an organization's services, history, goals and business challenges when you walk into an interview shows initiative and will allow you to make a stronger case for how you can contribute to the firm's success, said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Job Hunting For Dummies, 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). At a minimum, job seekers should visit the company's website or conduct online research prior to meeting with a hiring manager. They can contact people in their network and check social media channels for additional insights about the organization.

Messmer added, Professionals should keep in mind that the interview also is a chance for them to assess if the role is one they would enjoy. Thorough preparation helps job seekers ask the right questions to determine if the opportunity is a good fit.

Accountemps' parent company, Robert Half, recently launched Don't Let This Happen to You (www.roberthalf.com/dont-let-this-happen-to-you), a light-hearted video series depicting interviews that have gone awry, along with tips for avoiding common blunders.

Accountemps has more than 350 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com. Follow Accountemps for workplace news at twitter.com/accountemps.