An interview is not simply a conversation; it's show time, folks. You will be competing against people who are well rehearsed and who know their lines.
Develop Your Lines
In an interview, an inability to express yourself clearly is worse than a lack of experience. Refine your sales pitch by listing on a three by five card:
- the main reason the employer would want to hire you
- your "pitch," or summary statement: what you have to offer in the way of experience, credentials, and personality
- two key accomplishments to support your interest in this position
- an answer to what you think might be the employer's main objection to you, if any
- a statement of why you want to work for this company
Keep this card in your pocket and review it just before going in for the interview, so you will know your lines. Then you can concentrate on the interviewer and the problem areas he or she may be facing. You can ask
- What are the major problems you seem to be facing right now?
- What are your most important goals?
- What is standing in the way of your reaching those goals?
Look And Act The Part
Remember, this is show biz. Even if you don't feel self-confident, act as if you do. If you come in looking defeated, like a loser, why would anyone want to hire you? Managers don't want to hire people with problems. Act as if you are successful and feel good about yourself, and you will increase your chances of actually feeling that way. Enthusiasm counts. Every manager is receptive to someone who is sincerely interested in the company and the position.
Looking and acting the part increases your chances for success. Some job hunters who have worked for one employer for a long time can get very relaxed about their appearance and have no idea what they look like compared with other job hunters. Look as good as you can and act as though you are doing just fine.
During The Interview Play The Part Of A Consultant
The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it. HARRY EMERSON FOSDICK
Pretend for a minute that you own a small consulting company. When you first meet a prospective client, you want to probe to better understand the problems this person is facing. If the client has no problems, or if you cannot solve them, there is no place for you.
You are also there to sell your company. Therefore, as the client talks about company problems, you reveal your own company's experience and credentials by asking questions or by telling how you have handled similar situations. You want to see how your company fits in with this company.
If the conversation goes astray, lead it back to the main topic the work you would do for them and your abilities. That way you can make your points in context. If you want the job, it is your responsibility to reassure the manager that everything will work out. The manager does not want to be embarrassed later by discovering he'd made a hiring mistake. It is almost as if you are patting the manager on the arm and saying, "There, there. Everything will be fine. You can count on me."
Display self confidence in your ability to handle the position. If you are not confident, why should the hiring manager take a chance on you? If you want the job, take a stand and say that you believe it will work. If you are asked how you would handle a situation, reassure the manager that even though you do not know specifically what you would do (because, after all, you are not on the job yet), you can figure it out because:
- It won't be a problem. I'm good at these things.
- I'm very resourceful. Here's what I did as company controller. . . .
- I've been in that situation before. I can handle your situation even though I don't know the specifics.
Let the manager air his or her doubts about you. If you are told what these reservations are, you can reassure the manager right then, or you can mull it over later and reassure the manager in writing.
Do not appear to be "shopping around." Be sincerely interested in this particular company at least during the interview.
Follow up on your meetings. Address the important issues, stress your interest and enthusiasm, and state your major selling points especially since you now know what is of interest to the interviewer.
Do Your Homework
Before the interview, research the company and the industry. If you're asked why you are interested in them, you will have your answer. Do library research. Call the company's public relations department and ask for literature or an annual report. Ask others about the company. Show up early and read company literature in the reception area, talk to the receptionist, and observe the people. Get a feel for the place.
The Rehearsal
Even experienced job hunters need practice. Each interview smooth's out your presentation and responses. As you get better, your self-confidence grows.
By now, you've had networking or information gathering interviews. You will have practiced talking about yourself and will have information about your area of interest and the possibilities for someone like you.
When I was unemployed, I had lots of interviews, but I was not doing well in them. I was under so much stress that I kept talking about what I wanted to do rather than what I could do for the company. I knew better, but I could not think straight. An old friend who used to belong to The helped me develop my "lines" for my three by five card. Then we practiced. After that, my interviews went well.
