There is nothing profound to say about the interview other than that it's still a nerve-wracking experience. For good reason. Bomb it and you won't get the job. What could be clearer? It's easy to see why applicants, ages 18 to 80, get uptight when sitting in the hot seat. And it s no wonder comics have poked fun at the job interview for years.
Lighten up. The interview is not the end of the world. The worst that can happen is you blow it. I don't say that to be flip. But I'm somewhat of a fatalist when it comes to evaluating the impact of critical events. It's as basic as you'll get the Job if it was meant to happen. And if you don't, you either don't belong there or maybe ought to go back to the drawing board and scrutinize your performance under a microscope. My attitude doesn't mean you shouldn't give it your all; it just takes the tension level down a few notches so you can do your very best.
A little levity doesn't hurt either. Some distance and objectivity from the pending event can help you turn in an award-winning performance. Let s get in shape so you can impress the hell out of your interviewer.
Here's some advice about a critical, yet often overlooked, first step.
GETTING IN SHAPE FOR THE BIG EVENT
Of course you're going to research the company. Pros like yourselves know this. So why even mention it? It's because a lot of lazy folks out there just assume their beauty, charm, and effervescent personalities will carry the show. Catch the next SST back from Oz pronto.
If you've landed an interview, you have to realize there are no short cuts to job getting. It takes hard work, time, and creativity. So don't make short shrift of these all-important steps. You can see the finish line from here. Don't slacken your pace.
Preparation is a two-phase process: (1) learning all you can about the company and (2) jotting down only those facts and figures that best sell you for the job.
A little homework wouldn't hurt. When researching companies, go beyond the quick snapshots offered by Standard & Poor's or Dun & Bradstreet. Spend time in the library checking out news clips from business and trade magazines. Find out if your library sub scribes to Infotrak, the neat software that instantly accesses news paper or magazine stories on a host of subjects.
Know more than just the basics about the companies you're pursuing. You'll make a strong impression if you walk in knowing about new product launches or pending acquisitions.
To tune up for the event, pull out all the accomplishments and skills that prove you're amply qualified. The letter whetted the reader's appetite with a sampling of your accomplishments. Face to face, you need to round out the picture with specific details and events.
THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT INTERVIEWS
Interviews are tough for everyone, but they're particularly hard for you because of a glaring strike against you; your age. Don't be depressed or angry about it. Just take it as a given and be prepared to deal with it. I don't mean walking into the interview with a nasty attitude ready to do battle. You know where that'll take you. Also, don't feel so defeated and burned out that you'll grab any crumb thrown your way.
If you want to win, straighten out your attitude. Be prepared to walk into a potential minefield. Rather than being treated like a relic from the Paleolithic period, you'll be greeted with respect and deference. Incredible!
The only attitude to exhibit is one of total control and self-composure. Compare yourself to a professional basketball player walking onto the court for a playoff game. As soon as the athlete is spot ted, the crowd applauds. They sense his power, control, confidence, and strength. This is what you must convey. It's the first step in making a great first impression. Your attitude reveals how you feel about yourself. If that feeling is positive, you'll be confident and upbeat, transmitting self-confidence from every pore.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS AND RAPPORT
If you pass the initial inspection, the next hurdle is establishing rapport. This is a tricky stage that ought to be handled with utmost care. Remember, you're fighting the clock. Your fate is sealed in those critical first 5 minutes. Even if your costume and look are perfect, you won't get the job if the interviewer doesn't like you. Who said the world was fair?
The goal is not to become instant drinking buddies, but simply to find a common comfort ground that leads to the next interview stage. Here's how to do it:
- Let the interviewer set the pace: The interviewer is not unlike the director of a film or play. He or she makes the rules and sets the pace. Your job is to play your role to this person's specifications. So hang back and let the director set the stage. From the onset, understand and respect the power structure. The interviewer controls the event.
- Speak when spoken to: If you encounter nerve-wracking silences in the beginning, deal with them. Don't, however, feel compelled to fill them. Some interviewers may be testing you to see if you have the composure and self-control to deal with silence. Others may just be shy people who are getting comfortable themselves. Whatever the reason, relax and don't run off at the mouth because you're nervous.
- Chitchat is the best icebreaker: Small talk is the best icebreaker and sets the tone for the interview. Make the most of it. Interviewers have their favorite small-talk subject. It could be the weather, traffic conditions, sports, or politics. Whatever it is, pretend to enjoy it. Hopefully, you'll be able to make a contribution to the conversation. If the interviewer starts talking about a recent basketball game and you know nothing about the sport, ad-lib.
Whatever you do, don't underestimate this critical period. Even if you're talking about your favorite sport, remember that everything you say is being evaluated. Every stage of the interview process, even innocuous small talk, is important. The best time to size a candidate up is during talk about non-work subjects. It's also a good time to take stock of the interviewer. In these critical moments, you'll learn whether you're dealing with Mother Teresa or Machiavelli, Hitler, and Attila the Hun all crammed into one nasty package.
Read this person right and you've got it made. Adjust to his or her rhythms and the interview will effortlessly roll along. In fact, you might even enjoy it. Take your signals from the interviewer, who'll let you know when it's time to shift gears to serious issues.
