Interviewing: The Main Event
Interviewing: The Main Event
In job search, interviewing is the main event, where the rubber hits the road. I have asked thousands of supervisors and hiring managers how many candidates they like to interview for an opening. The overwhelming majority of them, given a choice, say they like to interview 3-6 candidates for a job. So if your resume or application was among 50 or 75 submitted and you are selected for an interview, you are now dealing with rather decent odds. As a result, you want to become an Interviewing PRO.
Think about the differences between a professional and an amateur. The Pro is Prepared, the Pro is Rehearsed and the Pro Opens up their game.
In interviewing, being prepared involves 3 elements: the organization, the interviewer(s) and you.
In an age of information, there is no reason not to be able to do some homework about the organization that is interviewing you. This can begin from the time you get the call for the interview. Ask the caller if they have a web site, a job description for the position, if they have brochures about their products or services that you might pick up and be sure to ask the names and titles of the persons interviewing you.
During your job search, the 1st question you should always ask whenever you get a lead or an interview is, “Who do I know; who do I know that might know?” Review you list of contacts and find out what you can about the company and the persons you are seeing. This is valuable information in preparing for the interview, but it can also be helpful in determining if the firm is right for you. Ask about the company’s culture. There are some fine companies with fine jobs and some fine candidates but they do not always match well.
In preparing, visit the company if possible. It will help you to avoid any last minute problems with directions and roadwork. You might also get a feel for the culture of the organization. Talk to that receptionist or security guard or cafeteria worker and you just might pick up some valuable tidbits. You might also get a sense of how to dress for the interview.
Last, but not least, you need to prepare yourself for the interview. First, get a notebook with an inside sleeve. Put an extra copy of your resume and a list of references there. Jot down some questions you have about the company or position (more on that later). Have a set of interviewing clothes ready to wear at a moment’s notice.
As to dressing for an interview in today’s world, the best advice is to ask. Ask the person calling about the interview what the dress code is and then dress accordingly. Generally, it is a good idea to dress conservatively. Black, blue and dark green are usually safe colors. Do not overdo it with jewelry and accessories and go light with the perfume or cologne.
The most important part of your preparation, however, is preparing your answers to some key interview questions.
Many people wrongly think that because they are quick on their feet or have good instincts, that they can wing. This is stinkin’ thinkin’ and one of the biggest job search mistakes.
An interview is an ‘Act of Communication’. By the time you get to interview, you are already being given credit for having all or most of the credentials needed. The bigger key is whether you will fit in and that is determined through communication. And you cannot be handling that communication well if you are sitting there making up all of your answers.
Every potential employer wants to know 5 things:
+Why are you here?
+Can you do the job?
+Will you do the job?
+Will you fit in?
+How much will you cost?
Some of these are somewhat answered before the interview, but certainly not fit.
And so, besides answering questions about your skills, experiences and training, you need to be able to answer questions about fit. Be prepared to answer ‘The Dirty Dozen’:
1. Why are you looking for a new job?
2. Why did you apply for this job?
3. What do you know about our company?
4. What type of company do you want to work for?
5. What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
6. What was your best job and why? Worst?
7. Who was your best boss and why? Worst?
8. What has been your greatest achievement? Disappointment?
9. What are your pet peeves professionally?
10.What are your long range goals?
11.Will you be after your boss’s job?
12.Why should we hire you?
Also, most often, an interview begins, after introductions, with, “Tell me a little about yourself”, so be prepared to answer it.
For best results, prepare 2 answers to each question, a 20-30 second answer and then an additional 60-90 seconds. The short answer contains the essence and the longer answer usually contains a ‘for instance’ or ‘for example’. If the interviewer asks about your strengths, you might tell them, “Well, I am told that I am a real team player, have good communications skills and am very reliable.” Pause and read the interviewer. If it seems like a key question and their body language invites more, then add, “For example….” And then tell them a quick tale that illustrates one or more of those strengths.
Do not have answers longer than 2 minutes. Seasoned interviewers can usually spot unprepared candidates because they often ramble and babble on too long.
In scripting your answers, be positive and focus on the professional not the personal. Do not bad mouth former employers or supervisors.
After preparing your answers, REHEARSE them. The way we write and the way we talk are often different. Have a friend or loved one do a mock interview with you and critique your answers and body language. Rehearse to the point where most of your answers sound natural and conversational.
Now that you are prepared and rehearsed, it is time for the interview and it is time to OPEN up your game. Remember, the game is communication.
Arrive about 10 minutes early for your interview. You are ‘on’ from the time you hit the door. Be polite and pleasant to that receptionist or administrative assistant, as they are often asked for input about candidates.
When the interview begins, remember that communication face to face is about 7% Verbal (your words), 38% Vocal (your voice) and 55%Visual (your body language). This is one reason why you need to rehearse your answers.
Another reason is that, being prepared, you might be able to read the interviewer’s body language and better handle the communication. Sometimes an arched eyebrow or slight smirk will tell you whether an answer hits home or not.
If you sense that an answer did not satisfy the interviewer, open up. Maybe you ask them, “Did I answer your question?” Make it easy for them to comment. You might be able to address the concern there; you can’t later in your car.
In interviewing, if a job interests you, let it show. A lot of interviewing mistakes will be forgiven in the name of good, old-fashioned enthusiasm.
When it comes time for your questions, make sure you ask each interviewer about the culture of the company or department and ask about the style of the person who would be supervising you. A great way to find out what they are really looking for is ask each interviewer, “3 months from now, how will you know you hired the right person?’ Then listen very carefully because this is a ‘keys to the city’ question. Most interviewers have not been asked that question and therefore don’t have a canned answer. They will probably give you a very natural answer about what is on their mind and what they really want in a person. If you listen for it, you just might have a good response. If the job still seems of interest, reaffirm your interest and ask them about next steps.
After the interview, send a thank you note to every interviewer within 48 hours of the interview. Emails are fine and do not worry about finding some original way to say thank you. The key is show good form so keep it short and sweet.
What you can do in a thank you note is take one last stab at a key point from the interview. Maybe you can elaborate in paragraph a point you do not feel you made well in the interview or reinforce something that seemed key to the interviewer.
Remember, the interview is the main event in job search. If that is the case, then leave your best game on the field, not in the locker room.
Dick Cipoletti
RCC Associates
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