One of the reasons candidates are disqualified from consideration is the use of phrases that are trite and ambiguous. Two of these are "the right opportunity" and “a reputable company.” They aren't impressive, and their meaning is relative and subject to interpretation.

Because people go on interviews without searching inside themselves for why they’re changing and what their ideal job would be, they fall back on phrases that fail to make them stand out.

“The right opportunity" could be anything relative to whatever company you are interviewing with - usually clarified by something you didn't like. But it needs to be defined by the positive - not the negative. Too far to commute? Not "the right opportunity." Base salary too low? Not "the right opportunity." Too much travel? Not "the right opportunity."

Asking yourself these questions first will help you define your “right opportunity”:

• do you prefer companies where you can roll up your sleeves and wear many hats?
  
• or small companies that need help growing?
  
• are you a corporate guy who wants to work his way through different positions to the VP level, aiming for a top-level spot?
  
• is that why you got your MBA?
  
• or do you want the company to pay your way through school?
  
• are you looking to develop your leadership skills and get into management?
  
• do you want to stay part of the team instead of being its leader?
  
• do you want to travel? not travel? work alone? in a group? develop? or just implement? solve problems and clean up? or come into a company that is running smoothly?

Part of “the right opportunity” means defining “a reputable company” more specifically than “a good company – one I’d like to work for.”

So what does a reputable company look like?

Most will agree that Arthur Anderson and Enron were DISreputable companies! But what about Disney? It strives to be reputable and many consider it so. But some of its films don't do so well. There’s been much divisiveness in its upper ranks, and it supports some causes many think it shouldn't ... yet it’s ... well ... Disney.

Reputable ... or not?

Fannie Mae was fined $400 million, not only for allegedly manipulating its accounting, but also for lying to investors. Yet twice it’s been ranked in the top ten companies for working mothers because of its child care programs, flexible working arrangements, and advancement for women.

Reputable ... or not?

Now consider the companies that aren't newsmakers and have policies or principles that people would never know about unless (or until) they work there.

See why it's important to be specific?

Unless you state that you want a company that sells its products with integrity and practices building relationships with customers—reputable could mean anything—until you're working there. Then it's too late!

What do you gain by being specific? Well, if the company is doing anything shady, the interviewer may hear what you are saying and won't ask you back. The ethical company will ask you back and appreciate your candor.

But isn’t working for a reputable company an obvious desire? Would anyone want a disreputable company? Well ... yes!

Some people like troubled companies and turnarounds—and those that do, know it and say so. Those who haven't given much thought to the issue tend to utter the reputable company phrase, then sometimes find themselves working for a company that leaves them queasy.

If the company or department is struggling, or the piece for which you're interviewing is a startup operation and this doesn't turn you on, by all means speak up. Both parties will be happier parting ways earlier rather than later.

The overall theme is knowing the specifics of your perfect job. It’s staying in control so that you’re asked back and can decide if you want to return or not. But that outcome and the resulting choice presume you've stated clearly what your right opportunity is and how the company reflects that.

When the company is not that, you might not be asked back, and you may never know why. But stating your definition instead of using a generic phrase is—stay with me here—what gave you control of the outcome, even when it appears that you lost control. Whether you know this at the time or not is irrelevant. You're focusing on what you want based on what you’ve defined as important.

The “right opportunity” for one is not necessarily the “right opportunity” for another. A “reputable company” isn’t that easy to spot. Without definitions, they say nothing for you or about you - except that your interview strategy is unplanned, your goal is undefined, and you haven't done much homework on a very important subject - your next job.