Congratulations! You’ve been invited to a sit-down
interview. This means that you’ve
already passed through some very significant thresholds on your path to finding
a new job. For some organizations, it
means the job is now yours to lose. Here
are 5 tips for successful interviewing:
·
Warmth
Smile. In your mind, flip roles and make it your job to set your interviewer at ease. Thank them for the chance to chat and ask them how their day is going. Create rapport even if your interviewer doesn’t. This will also convey
Smile. In your mind, flip roles and make it your job to set your interviewer at ease. Thank them for the chance to chat and ask them how their day is going. Create rapport even if your interviewer doesn’t. This will also convey
·
Confidence
Don’t make the interview too important in your mind. This is one job. This is not your only opportunity. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Even when someone offers you a job, that does not necessarily mean that the organization meets your standards. Not every job offer should be accepted. Realizing this will help you to convey a sense of calm. This confidence is then very attractive to your interviewer. You don’t want the interviewer to get the sense that you must get this job.
Don’t make the interview too important in your mind. This is one job. This is not your only opportunity. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Even when someone offers you a job, that does not necessarily mean that the organization meets your standards. Not every job offer should be accepted. Realizing this will help you to convey a sense of calm. This confidence is then very attractive to your interviewer. You don’t want the interviewer to get the sense that you must get this job.
·
Knowledge
Know the company. Research it. Google it. Read articles about it. Read their last published Annual Report. What are their hot buttons? What are their senior leaders thinking about the most right now? If you can, try to speak with someone who works there. Show this knowledge when appropriate during the interview without parading it.
Know the company. Research it. Google it. Read articles about it. Read their last published Annual Report. What are their hot buttons? What are their senior leaders thinking about the most right now? If you can, try to speak with someone who works there. Show this knowledge when appropriate during the interview without parading it.
·
Specifics
Good interviewers will use Behavioral Interviewing. They will not just rely on hypothetical questions (e.g. “What would you do if…?”); they will drill down into specific accomplishments (e.g. “Tell me about a time when…”). So before you go into the interview, brainstorm the positive traits the interviewer will likely be looking for and think of specific instances in your career or life when you have displayed those characteristics. If someone does ask you a hypothetical question, it is impressive if you can respond with “Well, I’ve actually been in that situation” and then tell them how you handled it.
Good interviewers will use Behavioral Interviewing. They will not just rely on hypothetical questions (e.g. “What would you do if…?”); they will drill down into specific accomplishments (e.g. “Tell me about a time when…”). So before you go into the interview, brainstorm the positive traits the interviewer will likely be looking for and think of specific instances in your career or life when you have displayed those characteristics. If someone does ask you a hypothetical question, it is impressive if you can respond with “Well, I’ve actually been in that situation” and then tell them how you handled it.
·
Curiosity
Finally, remember that you are interviewing the company as well. Come prepared with 2-3 questions and toward the end of your chat, ask, “Might I ask you a couple of questions?” Here are some examples:
Finally, remember that you are interviewing the company as well. Come prepared with 2-3 questions and toward the end of your chat, ask, “Might I ask you a couple of questions?” Here are some examples:
o
What are the characteristics of those who have
successfully executed this role in the past?
o
For those who have held this position, what is
usually their next role in the
company?
o
What is your best advice to someone who wants to
succeed in this role?
At the end of the interview, thank
your interviewer. Then within 2 business
days, send them a card or letter (NOT an email) expressing appreciation for the
conversation and interest (if you’re still interested) in the role. If you’ve spoken to multiple people in the
interviewing process, send every individual a note.
Finding a new role requires a
significant amount of psychological hardiness.
This is because in the typical job search, 95% of your effort will be
fruitless. But you have to do all 100%
of your effort because you do not know what 5% will prove fruitful. So maintaining hope and optimism is critical
to eventual success. Don’t give up; keep at it. That’s what successful job hunters do.
