Most people applying for a position are very poorly prepared for “selling themselves”, or knowing what to expect when they get there. An interview should be viewed like a Hollywood ‘screen test’: in a very short ‘audition’ you and the company have to decide whether or not you should get ‘married’. Realize that you will have NO CHOICE about the job … if you don’t get an offer. Also, if you haven’t any idea WHY you would make a good employee other than “I can do the work, I think”, few employers will be interested.
 Before you go in to the interview…Get pumped!!! Get psyched!!! Employers want someone who is excited about the prospects of working there, and are excited about themselves. Excitement will show energy. Energy gets hired! Wallflowers don’t! A chip on your shoulder won’t. Here we will break down the components of preparing for the interview that will increase your odds of doing well rather dramatically:
1) Find out about the company before the meeting. Know what they do, how long they have been in business, how large or small they are, what their products or services actually do, who their customers are and their general ‘history’. At Champion, we call a client’s history their ‘company story’….what makes them unique, how the company achieved their success, and where they are going. Knowing these components of the company’s story shows first that you have done your homework, and second…gives you the opportunity to show how your talents can contribute to the company. This last item, when you can verbalize it in an interview, can separate you from the rest of the applicants. MANY hiring authorities start off an interview with the question: “What do you know about our company?” If you can respond with accurate info, you are miles ahead of those who cannot. Some authorities say that a positive or negative hiring decision is made by the interviewer in the first 5 minutes of the meeting…and the rest of the interview is to confirm or deny that ‘gut’ decision. Along with dress, posture, and outward attitude, how you respond to questions can make or break the meeting!
2) Find out everything you can about the job functions and expectations before the interview: Consider these components as your “Targets”. Selling yourself is as simple, and as complicated, as showing how your skills, background, talents and experience can “hit” these targets. If you are working with a good staffing service, your consultant should be able to explain these targets to you, and how to sell yourself to hit the targets. If you are interviewing without the help of a third party or inside source, ask for this information when you arrange an appointment over the phone. When you arrive for the interview, arrive early. Ask the receptionist what his/her knowledge of the job may be. Combine that with what you have learned so far. Remember though, that person may NOT be totally accurate, so take the info as a guideline, not fact. For the real ‘gutsy’ person, you can call into the company before the interview, ask to be connected to a person in the department where you would be working, and try to get insight from that person.
3) Know what you have done, accomplished, and are now capable of doing: Sounds simple. Try to succinctly explain to a friend everything you have done, in chronological order, since your first job…and make it sound interesting. It takes practice, some coaching, and thought. Most people get lost, repeat themselves, or say stuff for the sake of talking, without making it interesting or saleable. Focus on accomplishments and things you know you do well enough to make an impact on your company(s). Be ready to show how what you did helped your boss, department, or company. Explain how you can do it again for this employer (now you know why you need info on the job BEFORE you interview!). Remember, people get hired for what they can contribute now. Not just for their skills.
4) Dress properly for an interview: What you would like to wear and what you should wear are sometimes two different things. Dress “conservatively business”. This essentially means to look your best, but not as though you’re going to a dance or on a date. Guys: conservative suit, white long sleeve shirt, all clean and pressed, tie that is not ‘gaudy’ and goes with the suit (tie should reach to your belt). POLISH your shoes before the interview. This is one of the first things noticed, as is your tie. Comb your hair, better yet…get a haircut before you go. Leave the earring at home. Ladies: conservative business outfit, clean and pressed. Use cologne sparingly, if at all. Conservative nail polish, no runs in the hose. Shoes…no high heels, polished. If you have ultra-long nails, even if you can type with them, they aren’t going to win points. The point here is to look “business”. You can adjust your ‘look’ once you have been with the company for awhile, and get to know what ‘fits in’. For people applying for blue collar positions: dress up. No hoodie, no grunge. What you wear at work won’t necessarily cut it in an interview. Loose the earring, lose the tee shirts with your favorite evening beverage on it, and cover the tats. Dress like you are going to a dinner with the boss, at a restaurant with a table cloth.
5) Interview posture: One has to sit like a “lady” or a “man”. Slouching or leaning back in your chair is a turnoff. Both feet on the floor, knees together. Eye contact: Don’t stare at the interviewer, but don’t lose eye contact for long. When a person “looks away” answering a question, they come across as lying. Don’t bring a notebook and NOT take notes. Bring a note case for clean copies of your resume only. Prepare to answer the standard interview questions (not in order):
• Why are you leaving your present position (or why left last one)?….DON”T say anything negative about your previous company or Boss (this may be difficult). Tell it like it is, with tact.
• What are your strengths? (tailor to the job).
• What are your weaknesses? (be honest, but turn a weakness into a future strength by acknowledging it and showing how you are consciously addressing it.)
• Why should we hire you? (see prepare for the interview).
• Where do you want to be in 3 or 5 years (don’t you just hate this one?). Advice: Too big or too small (or no ideas) goals will kill you, as will inane answers: (I want to be happy). Remember the job’s potential, and ‘play’ to that. This is definitely a ‘trick’ question. Be honest, but remember your audience. See our “questions you may be asked” above to further prepare for your meeting.
6) Be your own “closer”: Here is where you can attempt to eliminate the competition, or at least try to know where you stand, or at the worst…have an opportunity to clarify/strengthen your “rememberability” with the employer. EVERY interview has a moment of ‘wind-down’. The awkward time when there are no more questions, but the interview is about to end. More often or not you as the candidate have NO idea (truly) where you stand. Try this at that moment: “Mr./Ms.X, I want to thank you for your time and insight today. I truly feel that I can contribute to XYZ company in this position with my skills in ______, my work ethic, and attitude. I would like to work here. What can I do to clarify any questions you may have, and to receive an offer?” Gutsy? Yes. Does it work? You will have a better idea of where you stand than if you don’t ask, AND yes, it does work.
7) The BIG BAD ‘question of money’. How do you answer it? Unfortunately there is no ‘foolproof’ way. Some interviewers are better at this game than you will ever be. Some will play along, seemed pleased at your idea of e-worth, and you’ll never hear from them again.
Here is a “no answer-answer”, that allows the opportunity to re-sell yourself and play a simple gambit of “it’s your hot potato…I don’t want it” tactfully: “Mr./Ms.X, my salary history has been____, but most importantly, I feel that my experience/skills in_____ (be specific and relate this to the job) and my accomplishments of_________, will lend themselves beautifully to handling this assignment for you. But quite frankly, I do not know what I may be worth to your company. I am sure that your offer will be fair and we will not have a problem, by the way…what is the FIRST thing you will want a person to ‘tackle’ in this position?”
IF the person answers this question, more often than not they have already made a positive decision in your favor…a major decision. The MINOR decision now is salary…… If they do come back to salary… you may still reiterate your strengths, then ask…”do you feel that I am a person who can do what you need done?” If the answer is ‘yes’, then go back to the “But quite frankly I do not know…” and hand the potato back. If the person still presses (verbally, or looks a little irritated), you can either defer to your Staffing Consultant, or name a “Ballpark” figure. ADVICE: giant pay raises are for people you read about. You may very well cost yourself a great job by being emotionally ‘greedy’. Be realistic. Jobs don’t “pay” anything…people get paid for what they seem to be worth to a company.
8) FOCUS ON: · The GOALS the person/company has for a person in this position (their expectations).
Your SKILLS and ABILITIES that are applicable to those goals.
Your ACCOMPLISHMENTS that apply.
Your INTEREST in being successful with this organization.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Show that you have confidence to overcome adversity…personally and in the work environment. Show that you have the intelligence and resiliency to work through issues. Show you are aware that the talents you have, coupled with your understanding of the job, goals and company…will benefit this organization.
Attempt to build a ‘relationship’ with the interviewer(s). People hire People with whom they feel comfortable. Just don’t get too friendly.
LAST: (and finally)…
Don’t ‘cop’ an attitude that may be taken as YOU are trying to see if the job/company are “good enough” for you…but DO prepare a list of good questions (not: ‘whaddya guys do here?’) that show you are interested in understanding what you will be expected to achieve, and what the company can offer to a person who is doing well.