The process
Type of interview
Interviews are typically conducted by four different groups of experts:
- Human Resources: Human Resources interviewers are qualified to assess your general potential and decide if you are a good fit for the company. They focus more on your general performance potential and less on your technical skills.
- The front-line supervisor: The questions asked by the front-line supervisor, who is directly responsible for the job, are more technical. Expect to talk about the nuts and bolts of the job, demonstrate your skills, and show that you are a team player.
- Co-workers: Co-workers can interview you to see if you are a good fit for the company. Give them a brief statement about your work history and demonstrate your willingness to be part of the team. Keep your questions and answers brief.
- Group of people: Occasionally, you will find yourself in front of more than one interviewer. When answering questions, scan the room and make eye contact with everyone in the room. End the interview by expressing your interest in the position. Shake hands with each person as you enter and leave the room.
The choice of the moment
You may not have the luxury of determining the day and time of your interview; however, if you can, choose the morning—– and never on a Monday. Most people are more alert in the morning. If possible, try to be the last person to be interviewed. Statistics show that the last person interviewed is offered the job 56% of the time compared to 14% for the first. Again, you won’t always know if you are the first or last candidate to be interviewed, and you won’t have a chance to control the situation. But if you can tactfully position yourself at the end of the list of candidates, there is a chance that your “rating” will be improved.
Your appearance
The first thing an interviewer notices is your dress and appearance. You’ve heard this statement before and it’s worth mentioning again: you’ll never get a second chance to make a good impression. So make a good impression from the start. Dress professionally and not over the top. Choose dark or neutral colors; polish your shoes; avoid eye-catching jewelry; avoid fads and trends; err on the side of caution.
Your arrival
Arrive at the company half an hour before the interview; report to the reception desk fifteen minutes before your appointment. An interview begins the moment you arrive at the reception desk. Relax, read the latest company literature and talk to the receptionist. Often this person is trained to form an opinion of you. Their “report” may be part of your interview packet.
The no-verbal
Your body language communicates. Be aware of it and use it from the beginning of the interview. Give a firm handshake and smile. These two behaviors indicate that “you are confident and happy to be here. Lean forward a bit when you are listening and nod affirmatively when you agree. You may cross your hands, but not your arms. (Crossed arms indicate a barrier.) If you must cross your legs, do so at the knee. Avoid obvious signs of nervousness, such as tapping your notebook with your pencil, drumming on the table with your fingers, wiggling your foot, or repositioning your resume. (Your resume should not even be on the table.)
When you speak, use gestures that accentuate your enthusiasm and add excitement to your style. Vary your tone of voice, volume, and emphasis to avoid being monotonous.
Watch the interviewer’s body language. If he or she is shuffling papers or looking away, you have lost more than eye contact. Modify your approach. Ask a question. Stop talking. Bring them back to the interview.
The verbal element
Your interview answers must first and foremost meet the needs of the person interviewing you. This person has problems, i.e., they need to fill a position. You need to show them that you are the best person to solve these problems.
Your interview objectives are twofold: to convey your expertise and to get a second interview. An offer is almost never made after only one interview.
Avoid negative remarks or criticism of your former job or employer.
Always answer “What I can and will do for you…”. Emphasize the phrases “I am capable…I am ready…I get along with others”.
Make sure the interviewer likes you. Establish an atmosphere of confident modesty. When you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s better to use modest honesty than to try to impress the person in front of you by not saying anything important.
Use action words: “contribute”, “manage”, “cause”. Avoid using weak words: “try”, “think”, “very well”, “maybe”. Avoid clichés.
The question of salary and benefits are your needs and should not be discussed in the first interview. In the event that the interviewer mentions these items, try to deflect the subject and not specify the amount desired. (The first rule of negotiation is that the first person to name a dollar amount loses). Say that you are flexible and ask what the salary range is in case the subject comes up.
Be sure to demonstrate your strong interest in the company and the job being applied for. You will not be presented with an offer if the interviewer believes you are not interested. You can always decline the offer later… but you cannot accept a position without first receiving an offer.
The structure of the process
Before the interview
- Company Information: Make sure you have done your homework by identifying the company’s products, company growth, etc. There is nothing more embarrassing than going to an interview and not knowing the line of business of the company where you hope to get a job.
- Your personal assessment: From the perspective of the recruiting company, what are your strengths (assets) and weaknesses (disadvantages) according to your resume? Clearly, one of your disadvantages is being unemployed. Another example may be that you do not have the degree or advanced standing or licensure that is required. It is important to list the disadvantages so that you can rule them out during the interview. In the advantages column on your balance sheet, list the specific skills the company is looking for that you possess. Other examples of advantages or strengths may include technical computer skills, special talents in the field, relocation management skills, etc. The purpose of completing a personal assessment is to prepare you for the interview by “selling” your strengths during the interview while compensating for your weaknesses.
Beginning of the interview
- First impressions are critical: It is very rare that the best qualified person is hired. Candidates who are not invited to the final interview have the basic qualifications required. The person who receives the offer is the one who most often “fits” the company. So how you interact with the people in the organization is crucial.
- A positive tone should be established: It is your responsibility to try to “break the ice” with the interviewer, either by thanking them for taking the time to meet with you, discussing the easily accessible location of the company, the beauty of the offices, etc. Theoretically, the initial conversation has little or nothing to do with the interview.
During the interview
- Give the information: Sell your strengths. Refer directly to your accomplishments as specified in your resume and sell the strengths you identified during your interview preparation. In order to maximize your performance, it is critical that you introduce these comments during the interview. It is also important that you dismiss any disadvantages. If you don’t have the senior rank the company is looking for, try not to mention it; instead, refer to the scope of your experience. Be prepared to answer the very important question: Since you are so qualified, how come you don’t currently have a job?
- Getting the information: Theoretically, you should never ask about salary or benefits during the interview. You should only be interested in the opening interview, the opportunity for advancement, and the role the successful candidate will be expected to perform in the first 3, 6 and 12 months. These latter expectations and performance metrics are critical in your evaluation of the position.
End of the interview
- Summarize your involvement: At the end of the interview, it is essential that you identify your strengths and accomplishments that are relevant to the desired position. Do not assume that the interviewer knows these important elements.
- Ask for the job: Approximately 80% of all candidates do not ask for the job during their interview. It is very important that you demonstrate your interest in the company and ask the interviewer to be included in the next round of interviews or, in direct language, to hire you. It is also acceptable to ask for a time frame for the decision. This last point is very important as it determines who goes on to the next stage and when.
As you leave the interview, thank the people you just met. Use their names. Get their business card so you can follow up. And don’t forget to say goodbye to the receptionist.
After the interview
- Thank you note: Summarize your answers, ask for the job and thank the interviewer for their time.
- Telephone follow-up: Follow up with a telephone call within 7-10 days of the interview.
Conscientiously prepare your answers to interview questions; practice them and note your non-verbal behaviors.
Exercise: Post-interview
This exercise will help you evaluate your behavior and improve your performance in future interviews.