An interesting thing happened recently on a conversation I had with a colleague who recently did a job interview. While this person was best qualified for the position, and as much you can prepare for the interview, i.e. understand the organization from top to bottom, interviewed folks from within, and review all external reports on the organization, etc., nothing can prepare you for the unexpected. So if your interviewing read on.
1. Before the Interview. Understand what you are getting yourself into. Prepare yourself mentally. Don’t just understand the job, understand everything about you. What you perceive as your strength might be construed as a weakness in someone’s mind. Interview with someone, and then interview with someone completely different. The idea is to get comfortable answering the questions.
2. The Interview. The interviewing committee will be composed of individuals from throughout the organization, or department and are stakeholders. Each interviewing person will either have reviewed your application/resume prior to or will just be reviewing it the day of. Don’t assume each person on the panel will know you. The majority of interviews you will sit at the end table in a U-shape. While this may be intimidating this is your opportunity to command.
3. The Questions, Side Questions and Rating. Each interviewing person will ask you a question. The panel more than likely has determined who will ask which question and you will be rated upon your answer. The questions will range from your background to experience, and from situational scenarios to behavioral. It is the side questions that might throw someone off, as they will appear like a side conversation. Should this occur, treat it as such. Remind the panel, “as my resume illustrates, I have (# of years) experience and I’m totally comfortable in this capacity.” Then, go after the side question. In a perfect world, there would not be any side questions that aren’t being asked to the other candidates. Again, you are being rated against the other candidates based on the questions that can be rated.
4. Be Brief. Be Seated. Understand that some of the panelists have been interviewing individuals all day long. Respect their time. If you can answer the question in one sentence while still getting your point across then do it. Being brief still means answering the question. Being brief demonstrates to the committee your ability to be expedient. Not a bad skill in fast-paced work environment.
5. So. Often at the end of the interview you might be asked, “so, do you have any questions of us?” This is your opportunity to ask questions to each or all of the panelists. Some argue that your questions is rated highly, whether or not they were inquisitive. This opportunity will demonstrate to the committee your sound knowledge of the organization, or it could just come off poorly and unprepared.
6. The After Feeling. After any interview you will either feel it or you won’t. You might feel that there were some panelists that clearly were not “gunning” for you. In a perfect world, no one should be “gunning” for anyone. This should be decided at the moment of trial, based upon everything on the table. It is your responsibility to get your knowledge, skills and ability out on the table, not the interviewer.
Job interviews are designed to meet you in person. It means that on paper you met the qualifications and now it’s time to get to know you better. While you may have all the shining recommendations in the world that you are the greatest, remember that only you can demonstrate your capabilities when its show time.
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