Step 3: Nailing the Job Interview
Relax.
You are not going to an interrogation!
Most job applicants fail because they lack confidence in themselves. A job interview should never be treated as or compared to an interrogation.
This wrong notion of what an interview is, adds to the fear mounting inside.
This fear usually hinders applicants from effectively expressing themselves during interviews. Too much fear may cause some applicants to blank out during the interview.
What Is the Purpose of a Job Interview?
Job interviews are typically the last stage in the hiring process, used to evaluate the best candidates. Interviews are usually preceded by the evaluation of supplied resumes, selecting a small number of candidates who seem to be the most desirable (shortlisting).
A company seeking to fill a single position will typically interview a handful of candidates.
Multiple rounds of job interviews may be used where there are many candidates, or the job is particularly challenging or desirable.
Earlier rounds may involve fewer staff from the employers and will typically be much shorter and less in-depth.
Once all candidates have had job interviews, the employer typically selects the most desirable candidate and begins the negotiation of a job offer.
A typical job interview has a single candidate meeting with between one and three persons representing the employer.
The meeting can be as short as 15 minutes. Job interviews usually last less than two hours. The bulk of the job interview will be the interviewers asking the candidate questions about their history, personality, work style and other relevant factors to the job.
The candidate will usually be given a chance to ask any questions at the end of the interview. The primary purpose is to assess the candidate’s suitability for the job.
Lower paid and lower skilled positions tend to have much simpler job interviews than more prestigious positions. A lawyer’s job interview will be much more demanding than that of a retail cashier.
How to Prepare for the Interview
So, you have written the perfect resume with a matching cover letter, and you have secured an interview.
You are now among the 14% of job applicants that have made it to this stage, and you should give yourself a pat on the shoulder.
The next step is to nail the job interview, so you wind up being offered the job.
Do a thorough research of the company
Do your homework before the interview. An interviewer will expect candidates to spend time researching and reading about their company.
Study up on the company’s products and services, industry, target market, annual sales, structure, and any other key information. Managers will be impressed by your research.
Really know what the company does and who their competitors are. If you have not taken the time to review the employer website and understand what they are recruiting for, then you are reducing your chances of continuing successfully through the interview process.
Be familiar with the job description so you can draw on your experiences, talents, strengths, and abilities to connect with company needs. Highlight how you are suited to that particular job.
Define yourself. What makes you different from others? Know your major strengths and accomplishments as they relate to the job you are applying for and the company.
Dress professionally
It is particularly important to look professional. Dress conservatively in a well-fitting suit and keep jewelry, makeup, and fragrances to a minimum.
If you are trying to get a job in a conservative office such as an accounting firm, don’t dress as if you were going to a concert.
If you are applying for a retail position, you have a little more freedom.
Job candidates generally dress slightly better than they will be expected to dress for work, with a suit being appropriate for a white-collar job interview, but jeans being appropriate for an interview as a plumber
Rather than list what clothing is and is not acceptable, I suggest you dress as if you were going to meet one of the most important people in your life. Because you are!
Be well-groomed
Don’t look as though you just rolled out of bed and couldn’t bother to take care of basic personal hygiene. Nothing will make the hiring manager bring the interview to a close faster than unwashed hair, dirty fingernails, or body odor.
As an employee, you will reflect the company and no customer wants to do business with an unkempt person.
Professional attire and attention to detail still count. You can never be too professional. Remember that everything – your appearance, your tone of voice, your conduct -contributes to the impression (positive or negative) that you make.
Be aware of your body language
A firm handshake at the start of the interview shows you are self-confident.
Maintain eye contact, stay relaxed and be attentive to the interviewer.
Ask questions and listen thoughtfully to the answers. Think before you answer questions from the interviewer. Don’t ramble and keep the conversation on the topic.
Avoid telling lies or embellishing your answers. Experienced interviewers will notice this in an instant.
Try not to be too self-conscious. Always keep your palms open and avoid crossing your legs or your arms together.
Make sure you handle the situation confidently even when saying that you do not know an answer to a question. Confidence reflects competence. Employers always look for competent people to fill their ranks.
Be present in the interview
Be enthusiastic, ask questions and participate in the interview. If you can’t be excited in the interview, you’re not going to be energized in the workplace either.
First impressions count, and you want to let the interviewer know you want the job, are willing to work hard and will do your best.
You might not necessarily be the most qualified candidate, but still land the job because you were the most outstanding one.
End the interview on a strong positive note by thanking and acknowledging the time the interviewer spent meeting with you.
Common Job Interview Questions and Answers
In preparing for a job interview it is important to list and plan your answers ahead of time so that you don’t panic when the time comes. Writing down some of the possible questions and then figuring out the best answer for each will help to boost your confidence.
Practice answering tough, directed questions about your experience and be prepared to demonstrate how your experience matches the needs of the company.
Ten Common Interview Questions
There are ten interview questions that often are the downfall of job seekers, especially if they are caught off guard. These top ten questions are ideal to study when practicing for a job interview. The top ten questions are:
1. What can you tell me about yourself and your work experience?
This is often the opening question and one of the most important questions to nail as first impressions are key. Keep it brief and know your resume inside out. Think of this situation as a great opportunity to impress your potential employer
Focus on delivering a brief two-minute promotion of yourself and subtly tailor your answer towards the questions asked in the job ad. Highlight the key achievements in your job history that match the requirement of the position you are seeking.
2. What are your weaknesses?
The best way to answer this question is to minimize your weaknesses and emphasize on your strengths. Mention professional traits that you deem as your weakness rather than concentrating on negative personal qualities. Likewise, it would be best to mention that you are doing something to improve yourself professionally to correct your weakness.
3. Why should we hire you?
Basically, this question is about selling yourself. An ideal way to handle this question is to start with summarizing your working experiences which may be important to the company. Be confident and show that you really are looking forward to becoming a part of the company.
4. Why do you want to work in our company?
The purpose of the interviewer for asking such a question is to make certain that you as the applicant are really interested in the job and not just simply applying because there is a job opening. As an applicant you must convince the interviewer that you are serious and very much interested in the job you are applying for.
5. What are your goals? Or where do you see yourself five years from now?
It is better to answer this question with reference to short-term and intermediate goals rather than talking about some distant future. It is also advised to involve the company in discussing your professional goals.
For instance, say that you see yourself as becoming a part of the company and helping it in achieving it goals and missions.
Most interviewers ask this type of question to gain insight on the real motive of an applicant since there are some applicants who will just make a company their training ground and then after they have gained some experience leave to search for another job.
6. Why did you leave or why are you leaving your current job?
This is another question used to weigh the professionalism as well as the ability of an applicant to stay on a job.
As an applicant it is not nice to say anything negative about your current or previous employer. The interviewer might wonder why you are making such discriminatory remarks regarding your previous job.
To prevent falling into this trap just say that you are looking for additional opportunities to enhance further your professional knowledge.
7. When were you most satisfied in your job?
Again, be careful in answering this type of question since this will reflect a lot about you as a potential employee. Try to answer this question without any prejudice to your previous job and concentrate more on discussing things that motivate you professionally.
This will create the impression that you are a good employee since you refrain from creating any bad remarks regarding your previous job.
8. What can you do for us that other candidates cannot offer?
Some applicants usually go blank when asked this question for fear that they may answer inadequately. Be confident and concentrate on discussing your positive traits and work qualifications that you deem as important and relevant to the job you are applying for.
Give them some ways in which you can help the company grow and be productive by sharing your thoughts and ideas. Express your dedication and your willingness to be a part of the company.
9. What three positive things would your last boss say about you?
Simply tell them of your positive traits both as a person and as an employee which are noticed not only by your previous employer but likewise by your co-employees. Think of positive remarks that your previous boss may have told you and read through any performance related assessments you may have had for inspiration.
10. How much salary are you seeking? Or how much salary are you expecting?
When an interviewer asks you your salary requirements, it usually means they like you and that they consider hiring you to become a part of their company.
Some employers would even ask your salary history from your previous jobs to get an idea of how much you would consider asking from them.
A safe way of answering such a question is to ask for a salary that is similar or close to what you are previously receiving. Or simply tell them that you are willing to receive any amount that is rightfully equivalent to the position you are applying for.
Ask Meaningful Questions
Have at least three or four questions ready to ask the recruiter that demonstrate your interest in the company and your desire to be a problem-solver.
This is your moment. By having some pre-prepared questions to ask you can demonstrate that you have done your research and that you have a genuine interest in the company.
It is also a good opportunity for you to find if the company is a good fit for you.
It is OK (it leaves a positive impression with the recruiter) to have the questions written down in advance and to reference them at the appropriate time.
Interviews are an exchange of information, and not coming in with questions shows that you did not prepare for the whole interview.
If you have been able to identify some trends or problems in the industry, ask how that is going to affect the company and what they are doing to deal with it. Show your concern about industry developments and what that may bode for the future.
If some current challenges have been brought up earlier in the interview, ask for clarification and more detail.
The more the interviewer interacts with you as if your concerns are mutual, and that possible solutions are something you could consider together, the more you will be seen as a valuable future member of his team and the more likely you will be asked to join that team.
Here are some example questions you can ask:
What are the day to day responsibilities in the position?
If the interviewer hasn’t already mentioned this, the answer to this question will be of great interest to you and is a question the interviewer will expect you to be asking.
What is your favorite part of working at the company?
This question is valuable to ask for two reasons: You show an interest in the interviewer (bonding) and if he answers enthusiastically, it is an indication that the company is a good workplace. Good sign for you.
Who will I be working most closely with?
By asking this question you may install in the interviewer’s mind that you already are a part of the team.
I read an article about the company. Can you tell me more about this? (Refer to some interesting information you have found during your research about the company.)
Asking a question like this clearly demonstrates that you have done your homework, and that you take a genuine interest in the company.
What is the company’s biggest challenge at the moment?
If you have been able to identify some trends or problems in the industry, ask how that is going to affect the company and what they are doing to deal with it.
Have I answered all your questions, or is there anything you want me to explain further?
If the response is that the recruiter would like you to clarify what you meant when you answered one of the questions, this is your chance to improve on the answer. If the recruiter says that you have answered the questions very well, you know that you are in a good place.
Is there anything that makes you question if I am a good fit for the position?
This question is best to ask at the end of the interview. It may put the recruiter on the spot, and it takes a bit of courage from your side to ask this, but it proves your genuine interest in the position and that you are prepared to commit to the needs of the company.
It also gives you an opportunity to directly respond to any concerns the recruiter may have and convince him that you are the right person for the position.
What Not to Do at the Interview
You most likely feel that the interview is the single most stressful part of the job search process. You feel that so many things can go wrong.
Well, relax. Everybody feels that way!
A big part of being successful is to be well prepared and avoiding simple mistakes.
Here are some things you should avoid doing at the job interview:
Meeting up at the interview without doing the needed homework
Practice! Get a list of general interview questions, a friend and a mirror and conduct an interview rehearsal. Practice until your delivery feels comfortable.
Using the Cellphone
Make sure your cellphone is muted or turned off at the job interview. Don’t use it in any way.
Not being yourself
Be yourself and be honest! Don’t pretend to understand a question or train of thought if you don’t. The interviewer will pick up on this. If you don’t know an answer, say so.
Relax and be yourself. Remember you are interviewing the company as well as vice versa.
Not listening
Focus on the question that is being asked and don’t try to anticipate the next one. It is ok to pause and collect your thoughts before answering a question.
Pay special attention to technical or work process related subjects that are unique to a given firm or organization. The interviewer may have provided information earlier in the conversation that you will need to answer the question to.
Employers will be looking for your ability to assimilate new information, retain it, and, most importantly, recognize that information as useful to you later in the interview.
Speaking poorly about previous employers
Do not speak negatively about previous employers. Doing so will only give the hiring manager a bad impression of you and your attitude.
Not providing enough details
When answering case questions, technical questions or solving technical problems, take the time to “talk through” your thought process.
Recruiters are much more interested in seeing how your mind works and how it attacks a given type of problem, than the answer itself. Articulate your problem-solving process and verbalize your thinking.
Lack of enthusiasm
I have touched on this one already:
Maintain eye contact, greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake (not too weak, not too strong), and show common courtesy. Don’t be afraid to display your passion for the job/industry and to show confidence.
5 Final Tips to Nail the Job Interview
Be Early
Pro Tip! In good time before the job interview, make sure you locate where it is being held.
The worst thing you can do is show up to an interview late.
What does that tell the hiring manager about your commitment level? Why would anyone want to hire a person who doesn’t have the organizational skills to show up on time?
By showing up early you are showing respect of the company and the hiring manager.
You are also giving them the opportunity to take you early, which could give you more face time. Face time is important, the longer you have with the hiring manager the better your chances will be to get the job.
Research the Company
Never walk into an interview without knowing anything about the company. Do some research; find out how many facilities they have, who is the CEO, and what recent news has come out about the company.
Look at the financials from their website or other investor news. Be prepared to ask some questions about what you have discovered.
An employer is always impressed with people who have done their research and are serious about working for the company.
Listen, Don’t Talk
It may seem counter-intuitive but get the hiring manager to do most of the talking. It is a proven fact, that hiring managers will think the interview go better if they do a lot of talking. So, use your research and ask a lot of questions to get the interviewer talking.
Carry Copies of Your Resume
Hiring managers are busy people and often they do not have a copy of your resume when they enter the room. Even if they do have a copy, a lot of the time, it will be a printed copy from the recruiter.
This is the time to hand them your resume on a quality piece of paper. Resume paper is thicker and has a particularly good feel to it and that is what you want the interviewer to associate with you: a good feel. Later, when the hiring manager is reviewing your resume, you will stand a better chance of getting the job or at least the second interview.
Follow-Up After the Interview
It is always a good idea to follow-up with the hiring manager is some shape, way, or form.
If the interviewer gave you his/her card, then make use of it. Call the company and ask a few follow-up questions and thank them for taking the time to meet with you.
If you didn’t get a card during the interview, then send a polite thank you letter. The goal here is to get the hiring manager to think of you again. And the more he/she thinks of you, in a positive manner, the better your chances are to get the job.
