| Preparing for the
Interview
There are several components to an interview.
Being prepared from beginning to end will help you be a more competitive
candidate. Starting with the greeting and introductions you are
front and center on stage. "Rehearse and Research" should be your
motto as you approach the interview business meeting.
Companies care about results; your future employer
wants to hear about solutions you have implemented for previous
employers and what you can do for their organization if they hire
you. The interviewer is primarily looking to get three or four key
questions answered;
Can you do the job? - Do you possess
all the required capabilities, maturity and experience?
Will you do the job? - Can you illustrate
from past experiences your ability to get tough jobs done on time
and budget without blaming others?
Will you fit in? - Do you exhibit the
qualities,characteristics, and personality consistent with the company's
culture?
Can we afford you? - Seldom is the money
the real issue if the potential employer sees real value in you
but, on some occasions, job offers have been lost to those who can
not negotiate skillfully or prove to be just unreasonable.
You must go in prepared!
Do your homework; look up their web site and
annual report and get as much information as possible. You need
to do research on the specific job, the company and any related
industry issues pertinent to the position for which you are interviewing.
Being prepared
| • |
Is your first assignment and it will demonstrate
how you will work for the employer |
| • |
Will boost your confidence and allow you to be more at ease
during the interview |
| • |
Will raise your potential in the employer's mind as
a determined go getter |
| • |
Allows you to showcase your major accomplishments, skills,
and abilities |
| • |
Gives you an edge in reasonable, positive, and assertive negotiating
situations |
| • |
Allows you to prove that you are the best candidate for the
job by example and verbal illustrations |
| • |
Means that you have develop a synopsis of yourself (about
30 seconds to 2 minutes in duration) and are prepared to
answer the most likely types of questions needed to help
the potential employer make a decision in your favor |
| • |
Is being able to walk through your resume forwards or backwards
discussing products, processes, accomplishments and reasons
for job changes |
You must be able to explain specifics of past
experiences and successes. Many candidates are "too winded" in their
responses so keep your descriptions short, to the point and then
ask the interviewer if he/she needs additional data. Try to keep
responses to questions in the 1-2 minutes range and let the interviewer
"drive" the interview. You may occasionally co-pilot but never grab
the wheel! Use the SHARE model found in the Leaving a Job - 9 Mistakes
not to make.
Critical to relating previous experience to the
responsibilities of a new job is the “T Account” Matrix
below. You should fill this out as part of your rehearsal for each
position you are seeking.
| New Job Responsibilities |
Previous Work |
|
| |
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Inherent in this process is the candidate's resume
and a complete understanding of the accomplishments and skill sets
it represents. Prepare for the interview with an agenda but remain
flexible. Your agenda
will include all the things you wish to communicate about yourself.
Make absolutely certain that you don't control the interview.
Let the employer control the questions, sequence and timing.
The "Tell Me About Yourself "Question
This question is used about 90% of the time as
an "Ice Breaker" for formal and informal interviews. When asked
this question you want to be ready to respond with important useful
information. A basic chronological approach will parallel your resume
but not repeat all that is in it. Never go less than one minute
or longer than two minutes on this question.
| • |
Cover you early education and career start in
30-45 seconds with degree information, early industry challenges,
and promotions. |
| • |
The growth years between college and past two to three years
will use about 45-60 seconds and highlight maturity and leadership
capabilities as well as key areas of knowledge or technical
capabilities. |
| • |
Your Current position or past two to three years will
take about 15 seconds and tie in some pertinent information
from the “T Account” above to the new position. |
| • |
The wrap up will close out your story in 15 seconds or less
and clearly send the signal that you are finished and are now
interested in knowing more about this new challenge the employer
has to offer. |
Answer the interviewer's open-ended questions
with some details. Don't forget, short responses will tend to bring
the interview to a premature end and too long of an answer will
bore them. The use of the verbs as exampled below will give you
an advantage in fleshing out your responses:
Action words:
Leadership words:
Planned
Led
Organized
Influenced
Developed
Guided
Implemented
Presided over
Result Phrases:
"The policy changes I implemented demonstrated
that greater efficiency could be achieved along with cost savings
of 34%."
Other Verbal Behaviour
"Let the interviewer complete his or her statements and/or
questions without interrupting. Do not interrupt! When they are done speaking,
acknowledge with a nod or "Hmmm" or "I Understand", waiting two full seconds before
you respond.
Don't exaggerate your capabilities/accomplishments -
be ready with facts and figures.
Pronounce words clearly and distinctly in your responses.
Address those you meet (including clerical and other staff personnel)
with proper forms of respect such as Miss, Mrs., Mr., Sir, Use first names only after
you have been invited to do so.
If politics or religions are brought up, avoid
stating your views; get the job and discuss these things later.
Questions that mean business
Usually toward the end of the interview, good questions from
candidates tell the interviewer the candidate is a good listener, has good people
skills, and is sincere. Never ask anything that normally could be found by due diligence
on your part. This means information from researching individuals, publications, web
sites and annual reports.
Some questions may look like:
How much progress has the company made on the major long-range
objectives stated in the annual report?
In your words tell me what are some truly significant or unique
characteristics about the company?
In what areas does the company need to improve?
Closing the Interview
Always close the sale showing interest and enthusiasm at the end
of the interview; thank the employer for his/her time and tell them that you want the
challange. Remember to sound interested and excited, NOT desperate.
Miscellaneous
Know how to get to the meeting; test the route and time it.
Get business cards - Mail AND email a thank you letter the day after your interview.
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