Interview Strategies: Three Simple Steps
Many job searchers show up for an interview in a nice suit, with a copy of their resume and some research on the position in hand, but with little thought about a strategy for actually landing the position. The great thing about creating a “job search strategy” is that once you have it you can use it for every interview. The requirements for this tool are to simply follow the steps below. Take the time to think about the answers to the questions and write them down. Review you notes and practice or rehearse answering and asking questions before each interview.
OVERVIEW
When job searchers don’t get a job it is often not because they don’t have the skills, but simply because they didn’t interview as well as the person who was hired. As a job applicant your part in the hiring process is to articulate specifically why you should be hired. As they lead you through a series of questions, the company hopes to get to know you: your character, track record and reputation. This is one area where many people struggle. The following exercises will help you prepare. You will want to write out your answers so that you can review them before each interview. You may not have an opportunity to share all of the information during the interview. Your strategy is to fit it in as much as possible. This tool will help you identify the strengths the company wants and needs to know about you.
NOTES
Would you go to a staff meeting with 10 points to cover without an agenda? Most likely not! The probability of you forgetting half of what you wanted to cover would be way to high. Once you have completed the exercises below create a key point outline on a note pad and bring it with you to every interview. A casual glance at the outline you have created will help keep you on track.
Step 1
Previous job experience
All too often your thoughts about your job history aren’t all great. After all, you are leaving or you have already left. This exercise gives you a chance to pre-think the best possible aspects of your experience and allows you to keep a positive focus during the interview. Bottom line, it conveys that you are an enthusiastic person, productive employee and well respected by your employer.
Answer the following three questions for each of your past jobs.
List three things you like about your current/most recent job
List three of your best accomplishments or contributions in your current/most recent job
Quantify the impact of your accomplishments in your current/most recent job
List three things you are most known for in your current/most recent job
Step 2
What are your strengths?
Identifying strengths and sharing them is a struggle for most people. This step will help you prepare a list of your strengths. Knowing your strengths makes it easier to share them.
First choose 5 people in your life with whom you have a good relationship and ask them “What are the top 5 reasons someone should hire me?” Ask your best friend, your favorite co-worker, mentor or boss. Family members are also a good choice. Write down their feedback. You’ll draw on this information during your interview. Usually this exercise gives you a whole new view of yourself.
Next, make a list of your own perspective of your strengths.
You should now have a list of 8-10 strengths that you can share about yourself. Come up with examples to support each strength. If you cannot come up with an example, maybe it is not really a strength.
If you say, “I am a hard worker” back it up with an example that will benefit your employer.
The “I am a hard worker” statement now becomes “I am a hard worker, which means that you can count on me to always complete assigned tasks and find more productive work to do should I have time on my hands.”
Another way to back up each strength is to ask yourself why you are good in that particular area. For example, someone who is always punctual may have an extremely strong commitment to being responsible or doing what he or she says. This is a great insight that you can share to support your character strengths which are often more important that your skills. Step 3
Questions to ask during the interview
Having a set of prepared questions in more important than you might think. Often, not having questions to ask during an interview can be a deal breaker. Not having questions can convey that you are not prepared or not interested.
Below are questions that get the interviewer sharing their thoughts with you. (Note: Avoid asking questions about salary or benefits during the first interview unless the interviewer brings it up.)
About the company
Tell me how you would describe your department’s/company’s culture?
What is new and exciting in your company/group/department?
About the position
How would you describe the person that has performed the best in these positions? What about them contributed to their success in the position?
Can you tell me about any challenges or obstacles I should be aware of in this position?
About the manager
Describe your management style. What would it be like to work for you?
What are your expectations of me or of those in your department?
When you made the move to come here, what was the most compelling reason?
What is the most pressing problem or challenge to be solved in the next 60 days?
Profile your top performer for me. What does he/she do that makes him/her stand out?
What do you think of my skills and chances for this position?
The opportunity to share information about you is during the interview. If you don’t say something about yourself, the interviewer won’t know it. If you are reliable, say it, if you are punctual, say it, etc. They are hoping you are the one… as much as you are hoping you are the one.
