It’s happened to the best of us. You land an interview for what you thought was a great new opportunity. You spend hours researching the company, preparing thoughtful questions, and getting ready for the big day…only to realize a few minutes into the interview:

“This job is NOT for me!”

What do you do? Run screaming? Get up and politely excuse yourself? Sit through the rest of the interview and waste everyone’s time?

As one of the leading recruiting agencies in Houston, Murray Resources knows this situation is certainly an unpleasant one. But there are a few things you can do to ease the awkwardness of it. For instance:

Be inquisitive.

Rather than bolting during an interview, dig deeper to try to gain a better sense of whether the job really isn’t for you. Perhaps the interviewer simply isn’t representing it well.

So ask a lot of questions about the tasks, duties, and responsibilities. Ask about the common personality traits of those who have held the position before. And ask about any areas the interviewer brought up that you are unclear or unsure about. For instance, if travel is a requirement and that’s a concern for you, ask just how much travel there will be.

Be diplomatic.

If, after learning all you can about the job, you know it’s not for you, then still be polite. Don’t walk out mid-interview. After all, the interviewer may know of other positions opening up at the company in the near future. So you still want to make a good impression – that means not constantly checking your watch or your phone for the time.

Also, finishing the interview gives you a chance to practice your interviewing skills, which may serve you well next time you sit down with a hiring manager.

Be upfront.

If, at the end of the interview, the interviewer asks if this is a position you’re interested in, be honest about your feelings. Let them know – in as polite a way as possible – that you don’t think the job is the right match for your skill set.

That said, if you really like the company, just not this particular opportunity, express your admiration and that you’re open to future opportunities there. The interviewer will appreciate your honesty.

Be thankful.

Even if things don’t work out the way you’d hoped, thank the interviewer for their time. Also, ask them to let you know if any future jobs open up at the company that you think you’d be a better fit for.

In addition, even if the job was completely misrepresented in the job posting and you’re feeling frustrated and annoyed, don’t turn to the likes of Facebook and Twitter to publicly blast the company. It’s best to keep those thoughts offline so that future employers don’t find them.

Need more help getting interviews for jobs that are a good fit for you? Let Murray Resources know. As one of the leading recruiting agencies in Houston, we can assist you with the entire job search process – including giving you access to job opportunities that are a great fit for your skills and background.

Ready to get started? Contact us today.