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World Wise Network: Tips for Your Career
How to Succeed in a Job Interview
Richard Nelson Bolles’ book What Color Is Your Parachute? recommends a number of tips on how to ace the interview process. Below, we run through some of the more relevant ones.
Researching the organization is one of the most important first steps you can take. It is crucial that you be able to speak intelligently about the firm’s recent history, its products and services, its customer base, and competitors as well as about the industry in general.
Too many candidates arrive at the interview with only a vague, general working knowledge of these areas and assume they can “wing it” once the conversation starts. If you are good at thinking on your feet in a pressure-filled situation, this may suffice. For many people, however, it is not. Unfortunately, you will not find out if your limited knowledge of the business is adequate until you are fielding interview questions. If you are concerned about your professional relationships with this organization (and among the people they talk with at other firms), why take the chance? Do your homework, and spend the time jotting down notes. It is important to put the information in writing. As you probably learned at Fordham, a rough outline in your head is not the same as one that has been written down.
Speak and Listen: 50/50
During the interview, do not monopolize the conversation. Professionals in the field of career counseling and executive search say that the most successful job candidates spend an equal amount of time listening and talking. Studies indicate that when it is your turn to speak, speak for no more than two minutes at a time.
Present yourself as a resource to the hiring manager, rather than someone who is focused on how the job will contribute to your own professional development. Remember, this conversation boils down to one thing: WIIFR, What’s In It For the Recruiter? When it is time for you to ask questions, ask the recruiter what you could do in this new role that would make his/her life easier. This is one way to get the interviewer to identify priorities and to learn how success in this role will be measured. Present yourself as a problem solver, not someone who only wants to fill a vacancy.
Keep in mind, many managers make assumptions about your work habits based on how you handle your job search. If you claim to be meticulous and detail-oriented, be sure to demonstrate this during the interview. An error-free resume and well-prepared responses to questions are good indicators of how you will perform on the job.
After every interview, be sure to compose a short note to each and every person you met. This includes receptionists, administrative assistants and anyone else who gave you a helping hand. The thank-you note can be a useful opportunity to reinforce something you think is particularly important to your candidacy or to address an issue you were not able to cover in the interview. The follow-up note is a crucial step in the networking and interviewing process.
Even if the person with whom you met cannot offer you a job, they may be able to refer you to someone who can if you leave a good impression!
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