My mom has a really bad habit of calling and texting me repeatedly when it is not a real emergency. As much as I love her, sometimes she calls at the worst time. One time of which was while I was interviewing for a job that would’ve increased my salary like no other.
On the day of my interview, I arrived casket-sharp with my resume on point and my hair styled perfectly. I looked like the next CEO of somebody’s company, and I studied the company and position enough to be one. Before I walked into the building, I turned my phone on low and on vibrate and confidently walked in. During the interview, I answered questions well and I was very charming. However, during my interview response on my strategy for my first 90 days, my phone went into a loud buzzing mode and I could not get it out of my pad-folio to shut it off. Meanwhile, the interviewer looked at me annoyingly as I nervously wrestled with my pad-folio. When I couldn’t get it out, I tried to talk loudly over the vibration, but then I just sounded loud and dumb. Morale of the story: Don’t make the same interview mistake that I did. Turn off your phone ahead of time (and tell ma’ to stop calling so much!).
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As both the interviewee and interviewer, I have made so many stupid mistakes and I have seen other people make mistakes that make mine look normal. The next time you are up for a job, be sure to not make the same mistakes below:
1. Avoid smoking right before the interview
I’m not a smoker, but I know that for some people having a puff can help calm their nerves (or may just be a way of life for them). Nonetheless, every person is not immune to the smell of smoke and some even can’t stand the smell of it. When you walk into the interview, you do not want to be remembered as the person that had an odor.
2. Don’t text and scroll on Facebook
It is always proper etiquette to show up for an interview at least 10 to 15 minutes in advance. During your minutes of waiting to be interviewed, it can be so tempting to pull out your phone and see what’s on Facebook or any other social network. Although it is tempting, you have to resist it and stray away from scrolling on your phone. It simply looks unprofessional and honestly, there are more productive things that you can do while you wait.
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3. Choose comfort over cuteness
If you are like me, you live for a good heel. Just like the saying, everything that glitters isn’t gold, every heel that is cute isn’t comfortable. It doesn’t matter if you are prancing around in six inch heels or kitten heels, if a shoe isn’t comfortable, it just isn’t. Days before your interview, test out the shoes you are planning to wear to see how relaxing they are. While you are at in the company’s building, you don’t want to be caught removing your heels for your comfy flip flops.
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4. Try to not to do the nervous twist
Often when people are nervous they may tap their pen or swivel around in their chair. Before the interview, do a mock interview with family and friends to help ease your nerves. Also, do your research and study ahead of time and that will help eliminate feelings of inadequateness or nervousness as well. If you are nervous in an interview and move around in your chair often, the interviewer will be more focused on your next move instead of what is coming out of your mouth.
5. Don’t curse like a sailor
When you interview, you should definitely find a way to be comfortable - but don’t get too comfortable where you unconsciously forget boundaries and levels of professionalism. I interviewed someone once that said “damn” more times than I have ever heard. The dude was really relaxed and I don’t think he even realized the words that were coming out of his mouth.
6. The interviewers are not your friend, so don’t treat them as such
I interviewed at one place where the people interviewing me were really young and seemed down to earth. During the interview phase where we all ate lunch together, I became really comfortable and my professionalism decreased. Because the interviewers were really laid back, I unknowingly started treating them like they were my friend and it began to feel like I was just having a casual Chipotle lunch with my good friends. After the interview, I was of course not hired and was still jobless.
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7. Don’t be a stuck-up diva
People like to work with people that they like. Even more, people like to work with people that are friendly and have positive attitudes. When you are interviewing and enter into the building, smile and be cordial. Speak to people that you see and as you are waiting in the lobby, feel free to spark a friendly conversation with the secretary (if he or she doesn’t appear to be too busy). No one likes to be around people with diva-ish attitudes so change your language and attitude.
What other mistakes have you made that you wish didn’t make? Share with us below!
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If you've had some doubts or don't know where to start, here's a quick guide for prepping to make your homeownership dreams a reality:
1. Get your mind right.
A 2022 Bank of America survey found that while 48% of Black women "feel confident about their finances," only 28% actually "feel empowered to take action" fueled by this confidence.
This first step is often overlooked, but oftentimes, when we're starting any new journey, especially one that involves a big change both physically (i.e. moving to a whole new environment) and financially, you'll need to set your mind on positive thoughts, confidence, and boldness. You have to know that you can indeed be a homeowner, that you deserve the desires of your heart, and that you are more than capable of navigating the process.
With high rates of student loan debt, rental income disparities, and a lot of the home responsibilities falling on us, among other challenges, it can indeed seem like a tough feat to go the homeownership route, but it is certainly doable with the right mindset, strategy, and support.
Lean into affirmations, prayer, therapy, coaching, and real-life inspiration to clear your mind of doubts and fears and use that energy to progress toward your dream home purchase. Open your mind to all the options, resources, and programs that are afforded to you and the alternative ways to reach your goals.
2. Get real about your finances.
Many experts agree on this second step, as you'll need to know where you are financially in order to be sure of what type of house you want, where you want to live, and whether you can afford the mortgage. Usually, this includes having (or creating) a budget and getting to know your expenses versus your take-home pay. If you don't already have a budget, create one and start to really get focused on knowing exactly what money's coming in and what's going out.
Also, getting into a savings routine and looking into investing, even if it's as simple as signing up for your 401K with your job, opening a retirement account on your own via companies like Fidelity or JP Morgan, or starting brokerage accounts with platforms like Charles Schwab or Robinhood. This will allow you to get into the habit of building wealth and having multiple sources to tap into in terms of financial assets.
3. Stop counting yourself out due to reasons like "bad credit" or low income.
If you need assistance with budgeting or learning more about money management, there are free resources out there (try here or here). You can also tap into local resources like nonprofits, financial advisers, or the professionals you bank with, especially if it's a credit union.
There are also resources for strategizing how to improve your credit, boost your income, and develop better financial fitness habits, so tap into those as well. You can do this! Sit down, write out your goals, work with a coach, and start one small step at a time.
Bad credit and other financial challenges don't necessarily bar you from achieving your dreams of owning a home. Look into rent-to-own options or financiers who offer home loans to people with credit under 620. There are also federal lenders that are ideal for those with low or no credit.
Go into your current bank and get to know your options so that you'll know what's actually available to you and what's possible beyond the fears or negative self-talk. Take a free class via the National Urban League or other local resources through a quick Google search. You'd be surprised what options are out there when you simply make a few appointments, do a bit of research, network, and ask.
4. Figure out your plan for your first payment and the right mortgage fit.
A down payment is often required (or at least encouraged) when you're buying a home, so once you've gotten clear on your financial status, what type of house you want, where, and how much you can afford based on your income, think about how you'll save up (or pay) the first payment for the investment.
Twenty percent of the total cost of the home has often been mentioned as a place to start, but experts say you don't necessarily have to have that much. However, be aware that when you put down less than that, you'll have to get mortgage insurance, and it will likely add to your monthly mortgage payment, so keep that in mind. There are assistance programs on the state and federal levels that can help you navigate this and even assist with the cost, especially if you're a first-time homebuyer. (Start here for more great information on this.)
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When it comes to your dream home and consideration of a mortgage, think outside the box. Your dream home might be a $500,000 ranch-style home in a major metro area but if that's going to have you living above your means or struggling to pay the down payment and monthly mortgage in tough times, considering an adjacent city or county in the same state or the same type of house in an area that's more up-and-coming.
There are also different types of mortgages that might be a good fit for you based on various factors. For example, conventional loans offer low minimum down payments but have more stringent qualifications, while FHA loans are mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration and are generally easier to qualify for but have stricter requirements related to mortgage insurance. (You can research more information on types of loans and how to qualify here and here.)
5. Start the pre-approval process and ask lots of questions before agreeing to a loan.
You'll also need to get pre-approved, so once you've found the right type of loan, do your research on who to partner with on your mortgage. Be sure, for example, that if you're going for an FHA loan, the loan provider is FHA-approved. According to NerdWallet, prospective home buyers should consider how a lender’s sample rates compare with today's mortgage rates, determine the closing costs, and "compare mortgage origination fees.” Become super-aware of the terms and timing for the loans and how these might change over time or in the future. Ask lots of questions or get help via a reputable consultant or coach.
Preapproval is necessary for getting the "real numbers," because lenders have access to detailed information about your finances. The process will include a hard credit inquiry, which shows up on your credit report, however, when you apply with multiple lenders around the same time, according to Bankrate, it only counts as one hard pull. This is because credit scoring models "take mortgage rate-shopping into account" and "group multiple inquiries together" if the credit checks all happen within a 45-day period. You'll need documents including W2s, pay stubs, and others (listed here.)
You can use the pre-approved lender at the end of the process, once you're ready to buy, or you can use a new one if, by the end of the process, you've found a better deal.
6. Research and vet your real estate agent before contracting with them.
Experts recommend interviewing multiple buyer's agents to be sure you're getting someone with your best interests at heart. Ask family, friends, and coworkers for referrals, look at the agent's online reviews, and be sure they're licensed in your state. Check out their Zillow or other professional profiles online and look at their track record. Ask them questions like "How long have you been in business," "How well do you know the area," and "How will you be corresponding with me, and how often?" (Here's a full list of interview questions for getting started.)
There’s a difference between a buyer’s agent, who represents a homebuyer in a real estate transaction, and a seller’s or listing agent, who is responsible for looking out for the seller, including pricing and marketing the home. Many agents do both, but some specialize in one or the other. Some states don’t allow dual agency, and it can there are some risks associated with that. There are referral agents who provide leads to other agents for a fee.
7. When shopping around, take your time and don't make hasty decisions.
Work with your real estate agent to view properties and think along the lines of making a long-term investment. You'll more than likely be living in the house for quite some time (even if you plan to sell and move on later) so you'll want to have some forethought on your why and how you'd like to live in the long term. Think about the community, how you'll live in the home, and what will best suit your long-term needs.
Real estate agents also recommend looking for red flags when viewing a home like poor tiling, evidence of leaks, or covering of flaws (such as "strong perfumes" or gaps in tile, for example). Be aware of potential issues like bodies of water nearby (possibility of flooding) or paint bubbling around windows (possible problems with ventilation). They also recommend looking past the aesthetics, lifting carpets, or asking about recent property maintenance.
While this guide is simply a snapshot to get you started, allow it to encourage you to go boldly for your dreams of homeownership with confidence and a plan. Be sure to utilize all resources afforded to you, do your research, and walk proudly into your next elevation to owning the home of your dreams.
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