Keys to a Successful Interview

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: 1) do you have the skills necessary to effectively take on the role and 2) 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. Be sure to review the organization’s web site 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 the if there is anything else that you can provide them.