THEIR NEEDS COME FIRST: When you have an interview, discuss the company's needs before launching into what the company could do for you. Let the interviewer give you background information about the position and the company. Use this information to formulate your questions and point out your strengths.
BALANCE THE "AIR-TIME": An effective interview will have equal input from both sides. You do not want the interview to get off track to the point when one person is dominating the conversation. If this happens, try to refocus the conversation. Remember, this is where you can really make a pitch about why they should hire you.
ASK QUESTIONS: As we all have read and known, it is just as important to ask questions as to answer them. Put some thought into your questions ahead of time. This is an ideal opportunity to show your knowledge of the company. Match some of the company's concerns with smart questions about how they plan to handle the situation. Using questions is also a great way to get the conversation back into focus or emphasize one of your strengths.
CONCLUDING THE INTERVIEW: When you are concluding the interview, restate your interest in the position and how you feel you would be an ideal match. Thank them for the interview. Try to get a feel for what the next step is. Should you call them; will they call you; do they need more information?
FOLLOW UP: Send a thank-you note after every interview. This is not only courteous but, once again, it puts your name in front of the employer. The key is to be remembered. After your interview, write down everything you can remember about how your abilities match their needs. Write down anything you can remember that caught the interviewer's attention- whether it was a skill, an accomplishment, specific training you have received, etc. Highlight the strong points of your meeting in your thank-you note.
Not every interview will go as you would like. Sometimes you don't say things as clearly as you would have liked and you think it will affect your chances of getting the job. Don't belabor the point. If it was really important, restate what you were trying to say in your thank-you note-this time more clearly and effectively.
Keeping Track
Soon after your interview, you should write down everything that would be pertinent to furthering your job search. What did you learn about the industry or that company in particular? What qualifications do you possess that seem to be an ideal match for this position or another area of the company? What went well in the interview? How were your verbal and nonverbal skills? What could you improve for your next interview?
