When you set up interviews in a random manner, there's a wide variance in your energy level, attention span, and response time. Winners in sports and almost every other human activity know that consistency gives them a competitive edge. Consistency in interviewing will give you the winner's edge, too. If you are out of work, set up two interviews a day, five days a week. One in the morning, around 9:00; the second in the afternoon, around 2:00.
You also want to strike a balance between your best time and the interviewer's. That's why it's helpful to know a few inside secrets.
In the first two books of this series I revealed what happens on Friday afternoons in a personnel office: "de hiring" firings and exit interviews. If you're able to schedule an interview for Friday afternoon, however, that's probably not the case. The closer you get to a weekend, the greater the chance your interview won't get full attention or be fully remembered. Monday mornings are hectic, too. New hires are being processed, responses from ads are flooding the phone or floor, and people aren't showing up for work. So, schedule your most crucial interviews for Monday afternoon through Thursday morning.
Another advantage of consistent scheduling is that you become accustomed to your own reactions when your body chemistry is in the same balance. This stabilizes your nervous system, enhances your confidence, and makes your delivery more consistent.
Limit interviews to 45 minutes.
The 45 minute time limit is critical. If the interview drags on beyond that, you will, too. You're not interviewing you're incarcerating imprisoning the interviewer. Say you have another appointment. You do. If you don't have one for another interview, it's for more scheduling. People always want what they can't have, or what they think someone else might get.
Avoid meal interviews.
Many qualified candidates fail their screen tests the minute they find their forks.
There's no way you can predict your interviewer's ingrained reactions to personal mannerisms, offhanded remarks, eating or drinking habits, and etiquette.
I'm not talking about obvious errors like using your knife as a spoon or as a slingshot. (I know it works well, but it must be cleaned with your shirt before you use it for a shoehorn.) One candidate was ruled out just because he salted his food. The hiring executive's blood pressure went up. He loudly refused to pay the bill and a food fight ensued. Only the local newspaper won: The restaurant critic wrote the incident up on the sports page.
With second interviews or for senior jobs, you may be expected to "enjoy" a meal with the hiring honchos. Avoid it if possible. If not, just be sure the "businessman's special" isn't you.
Just as an actor researches every character, you must prepare for playing your part. You probably got a jump on your homework during the Get the Interview phase of your search. Once you've arranged the interview, go back to the reference materials, your notes, and the phone to learn more about the company and the job.
Understanding the inner workings of each company you visit reduces your fear of the unknown, which directly increases the probability of winning the interview. As you develop a profile of each employer, you can reduce more than 90 percent of the mystery of the interview. From the time you walk through the stage door, your confidence will shine through.
These are all the sources I listed in Get the Interview:
- Business Periodicals Index (H. W. Wilson Company)
- Dictionary of Occupational Titles
- Directory of Corporate Affiliations
- Directory of Executive Recruiters
- Dun and Bradstreet's Million Dollar Directory
- FePS Index of Corporations and Industries
Look up target employers in The Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature at your library. Check for recent magazine articles that describe the culture and philosophy.
With all the information available, don't let research detour the search. Just write brief notes on each company that will interview you, and review them a few times prior to your interview. The information will be stored in your brain, and it will pop out of your mouth at the right time during the interview. (Of course, that assumes nothing else is in the way at the time so listen for the cue first.)
A faster, more enjoyable way to do job search research, particularly if you're outgoing (or adventurous), is over the phone. It's also the fastest, most effective way to discover the personality of the organization. In a small organization, it may be the only way. So try a little behavioral modification for your telephobia. Call continuously until you become compulsive about it. Anonymously at first, if you like. Better compulsiveness than telephobia. It gets you hired.
No one's judging you yet. Just reach out and touch (or even grab) someone in the sales department, marketing department or public relations department. State the purpose of your call. Then sit back, lips zipped and ears open. You want to hear answers to questions like:
- Where is the company headquartered?
- Who owns the company?
- How many locations does the company have? Where are they?
- What divisions does the company have?
- How many employees does the company have?
- What are the main products or services of the company?
- What markets does the company serve?
- What are the future products or services of the company?
- What are the annual sales of the company?
- How long has the company been in operation?
