ResumesResumes
InterviewsInterviews
Cover LettersCover Letters
Job Seeker TipsJob Seeker Tips
Beginner BasicsBeginner Basics
In the WorkplaceIn the Workplace
Work/LifeWork/Life
Build Your
Resume With
Our Easy Wizard
Try Our
Professional
Resume Writing
Service
Get A
Professionally
Written Cover
Letter
Home > Blog: Work/Life > Tell Us about the 'Wrong Turns' in Your Career

Tell Us about the 'Wrong Turns' in Your Career

Wrong TurnsGood hiring managers will always have their antennae up during job interviews for signs of a good or bad candidate. Recognizing the difference is a skill that comes from experience, gut feel, or both.

That's why they can reject you for any one of several reasons. Maybe they didn't like what you wore, or they didn't like your voice, or you reminded them of someone they knew - and didn't like - in the past. Or, on the rational side, it could be one of several reasons listed in a post this week at BNET.com titled "Danger! Bad Candidate! Run Away!" One of those reasons was: "The candidate struggles to answer the question, 'What wrong turns or tragic decisions have you made in your career?'"

"If you can't answer that honestly," writer Mark Jaffe says, "you're demonstrating that you can't do an honest, self-critical analysis." Owning up to mistakes and learning from them is a valued trait in many, if not all, workplaces.

I think it's a good question to toss out to you for a discussion:

What wrong turns have you made in your career? (And in the end, did it work out to your satisfaction?)

RELATED LINKS
When Bosses Make Hotheaded Decisions
First Impressions Mean Everything in Your Job Search
Job Interview Basics: Prepare Well to Present Well

Ready To Jump Start Your Job Search?
Looking for Help with Your Job Search?
Pongo has been helping Job Seekers for over 10 years. If you think our articles are great, try our Resume Builder, Letter Builder and Exclusive Interview Strategy Videos! Our easy-to-use tools and expert advice have helped over 70% of our Members get the job they want! Learn More »
Like what you see?
Join over 4.6 million Pongo Members — and let us help you land your dream job.
Pongo Raves
How Mark Improved His Life With Pongo
See how Mark's job search went from frustrating and uneventful to productive and fulfilling with Pongo's help.
Learn More About Pongo
More Success Stories