All of the time spent on creating the compelling resume and
thoughtful cover letter has finally paid off… you’ve been called in
for an interview by a company that you’ve been pursuing. It’s up to
you to prove that you’re uniquely qualified for the role and are
the best fit to meet the organization’s needs.
The first thing that you must realize when preparing for an
interview is what an interview actually is. Many job seekers place
undue stress on themselves by thinking of an interview as an
interrogation. While interview styles and tones vary by the hiring
manager’s persona, interviews are often more of a business
conversation where questions are asked and answered by both the
interviewer and interviewee. In fact, many people feel just as
awkward giving an interview as they would if being interviewed.
Understanding this can help put you at ease and enable you to
better represent yourself.
Another important aspect to understand is what the person
conducting the interview is looking to find out. In most cases they
are looking to find two things:
- Do you have the skills necessary to effectively take on the
role?
- Will you be a good fit for the organization’s culture and
structure.
Your preparation should consist of ways to prove to them that
each question can be answered “yes.” Speaking of preparation,
there are number of key steps to take to get ready for the
interview:
- Do your homework – you should learn as much
about the company as you can. Review the organization’s website
thoroughly, research recent news stories, read brochures, etc.
Remember, the interview should be a business conversation, so the
more you know, the easier the conversation will come.
The homework doesn’t end there though. This is a great opportunity
to take stock of your own experience, skills and knowledge. Doing
so will refresh your memory and make describing yourself much
easier during the interview.
- Get the lay of the land – when confirming your
interview, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask questions up-front to
help you prepare. Ask things such as who you will be speaking with,
what format the interview will follow, etc.
- Practice, practice, practice – try to
anticipate what types of questions might be asked and practice how
you will respond. If possible, conduct a mock interview with a
family member or friend. This should include answering questions
that seem out of the ordinary. For example, an interviewer might
ask you to “name three people, dead or alive, that you’d invite to
dinner.” They aren’t looking a specific answer, but are rather
interested in how you answer. They are looking to gauge how well
you think on your feet.
- Pay attention to details – remember that you
are making a first impression with the interviewer so it’s
important that you are punctual, alert and dressed
professionally.
Now that you are fully prepared, below are a few helpful hints
for mastering the interview:
- Be concise – when answering questions, be sure
not to ramble. Develop descriptive, yet short answers wherever
possible.
- Give examples – when answering questions
regarding your skills and expertise, do more than just say you can
do a certain task. Give recent examples of situations where you
have successfully utilized a certain skill or ability.
- Be honest – rather than dancing around a
question or making up a dishonest answer, simply tell the truth. In
the case where you don’t have a certain skill or area of expertise,
simply state that and indicate that you are addressing it or are
willing to learn.
- Ask questions – Most every interview will end
with the question “do you have any questions?” Not asking questions
displays either a lack of preparedness or interest. Before the
interview, develop a list of questions that you’ll ask. This will
leave the interviewer with a positive reflection of you.
- Follow up – be sure to follow up with the
interviewer with a thank you note and ask if there is anything else
that you can provide.
