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Mastering The
Interview
The job interview is your proving ground, the place where you must
demonstrate why you are the best person for the job. Making that
powerful statement that you're the best of all the candidates
requires the three Ps: Preparation, Presentation and Perception.
PREPARE PREPARE PREPARE
When you walk into an interview, the more prepared you are, the
better the chances are that you'll succeed. Memorize everything you
put on your resume and cover letter and be prepared to explain each
item. But you should also be ready to talk about more than just
yourself. Get to know your future employer.
Your resume and application are fair game. Candidates should study
themselves and the company with whom they're interviewing.
Read industry trade magazines, visit the company web site, and do a
company search on Yahoo! Finance to find current news about your
prospective employer. Be prepared to demonstrate what you know about
the company and the industry.
The more
an informed candidate can tie past experience to the requirements of
the job they are interviewing for, particularly in terms of what the
company is doing, the better.
Another
important part of preparation is making sure you look the part.
Choosing what you wear is so important that it deserves its own
article - Interview in Style.
PRESENTATION IS PARAMOUNT
Keep in
mind that you are marketing yourself to everyone you meet. The more
people you leave with a good impression, the better your chances are
of being remembered. Project yourself as someone who is thoughtful,
helpful, and prepared.
Effective presentation includes being in the right place, at the
right time. If you're late for the interview, you could
inadvertently tell your interviewer that you're not right for the
job.
Once you
arrive, introduce yourself to the receptionist and turn off that
cell phone. Having a phone go off during an interview is a real turn
off.
More
than half of our communication is nonverbal or body language. Body
language is exceptionally important. Positive, upright and open body
language shows self confidence and interest. During introductions
give a firm handshake and then take a seat facing the interviewer.
When you
go over your resume focus on your accomplishments instead of
reiterating job descriptions. Presenting yourself as an active
problem solver will show an employer that you can contribute and
succeed in the role. Give very specific examples of your
qualifications. If you have qualifications in financial analysis,
give examples of projects you worked on where your analysis was
necessary. Describe your experiences that tie in to your skills or
qualifications. Even better, tell me how those will help you meet
the requirements of the role you might fill in our company.
PERCEPTION IS KEY
The best
way to know if your interviewer is getting what he needs is to ask
questions. When your interviewer asks you a complicated question,
don't launch into your answer straightaway. Make certain you
understand what is being asked. A clarifying question, or restating
the question in your own words saves you from wasting your
interviewer's time, and demonstrates that your are a careful
listener. Asking the right questions can also demonstrate your
ability to think strategically, and help you decide if the position
is right for you. To that end, end the interview with this question:
"What are you looking for in a candidate to fill this role?" If the
answer turns out to be something that doesn't match your
expectations, then you need to speak up.
Many candidates are so intimidated by the interview, they forget
that the interviewer has a stake in seeing the candidate succeed.
They don't want you to fail; they want you to show them why you will
succeed with their company. The sooner they hire you, the sooner the
search can end.
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