Do have brothers and sisters, and what do they do? What would you like to be ten years from now? Will you willing to relocate? The list is endless; the point remains the same. Don't leave anything to chance in an interview. Anticipate the questions, carefully formulate your answers and deliver them with conviction. That doesn't mean sitting out replies like an automaton. In fact, if you have answers ready for certain questions, hesitate a little as the answer so that it doesn't appear to be a robotic response. It never hurts to pause a few seconds before starting to give an answer. This creates the impression that you're a thoughtful person. It also gives you an opportunity to make sure you're answering the right question. If you're not certain of what the interviewer means that a question he or she has asked, ask for a clarification. While you want to exude confidence during the interview, you want to make sure that you don't cross the line arrogance or aloofness. When you are interviewed, you literally are on stage. That certainly does not mean that you become a character that you're not. What does mean is that you can't view a job interview as ling more than some pleasant chitchat in which you to know each other. In fact, I've been critical of many employers who approach an interview with job candidates in the same manner. For the interviewer, there are certain rules to follow that will help ensure that the interview will produce the sort of solid, worthwhile information that is necessary when making a decision about to hire. People are any company's most important it, and companies that fail to hire smart suffer the sequences down the road.
Looking for a job is a job. Being interviewed for a job performance-not one that presents an inaccurate picture of you, but one in which not only is your best foot vard, but that allows you to indicate to your prospective employer that you're on the ball. One piece of advice I give those in a position of hiring if two people appear to be equally qualified, hire a son who wants the job more. Obviously, if the credentials of candidates are inadequate, their enthusiasm should be the determining factor. But if you take two or more people who all have similar credentials, experience, and Is, it makes sense to bring into the company the person who is most enthusiastic about the potentials the job offered. Be enthusiastic. That doesn't mean gushing at every question. A real measure of enthusiasm is how much effort you've put into learning about the job being offered, the company, and the industry in which the company functions. Nothing is more flattering to an individual than demonstrated sincere interest in what that person does, who that person is, and how you might benefit that person.
The sweetest sound in the world is our own voice. I've seen countless job applicants be unsure of the name of the person interviewing them and, consequently, not use it. If the person interviewing you has a long and difficult name, practice saying it as many times as necessary so that it trips easily off your tongue. Write it out phonetically; that's a good memory jogger.
Do everything you can to personalize the interview. When I'm to give a speech, I make a special efforts observe what's going on around me between the time I arrive at the location of the speech and actually must to the podium. I listen for interesting comments that I can work into my introduction. I make a mere note of significant names in the audience so that I can include them in my talk. Before I travel to a city, got some time to read about that city, and include in my marks items of particular interest to that locale. I try to personalize my speech as much as possible. You should do the same when going in for a job interview. Did the receptionist or secretary say something interesting about the company? If so, you might find provides you with an easy opening remark to the pen interviewing you. Is the building in which the company located architecturally unusual? You might mention that there is something especially attractive or unusual about the physical surroundings of the office in which you find yourself? Mention that, too.
Are there photographs on the wall that reflect the interviewer's particular interests? Is the furniture especially beautiful or functional? Did you read something about the company in the newspaper that morning? Again, all of these points to the need to approach a job interview with heightened awareness, attention to detail, a commitment on your part to present yourself as a candidate for the job who obviously cannot be ignored or missed.
The bigger the job, the more important intangible seem to be. I've had numerous conversations over years with top executives about why they chose one candidate over another for high-level positions. One, I remember, was put off by the candidate's poor posture. A firm handshake has been mentioned many times. A lead-candidate for a top job lost out because those above that did not want a bald man leading its largest division. One fellow who was being seriously considered as president and CEO of a solid, middle-size firm later returned that he'd lost out because he wore short black socks to the crucial interview, exposing a hunk of bare leg between sock and cuff.
And I remember an executive's being asked during an interview what he thought of the company's current stock price. He didn't know what the current stock price was; he was not called back again. He should have known. That should be part of everyone's preparation.
I've heard it said many times that bow ties, smoking pipe, too much jewelry on both men and women, and nervous tics lost people big jobs. This may not seem fair, but it certainly does represent reality.
Hard work pays off in every element of our lives, and an interview is no exception. In order to leave nothing to chance, we must work hard at preparing ourselves for every eventuality. Yes, there will always be an area for which we have not prepared. When this happens, there’s nothing more engaging and impressive than honesty. Submitting "I don't know" is a much better answer than trying to cover up the fact that you don't know something. But quickly shift the conversation to something you do know well. It's important that the interviewer remember you what you knew, rather than for what you didn't know.
This brings up the question of learning from each in view. No matter how well prepared you are, you will take certain interviews realizing that there were some aspects with which you were not at your best. Did the interview bring up questions that you never dreamed would be asked? If so, make a note of them, and include them in your rehearsal for the next interview. Did you feel that one of your answers was inadequate or represented weakness or there was a conviction on your part? Be honest with yourself. If there were a couple of minutes with which you were uncomfortable, take the time to analyze why, and restructure y approach to that particular question.
The basic rule for any job interview is to be prepared. Those who are generally do well. Those who aren't might not fail at the interview, but certainly will not position themselves as front-runners for the job.
No matter what people do with their lives, they will always make some mistakes. Hopefully, our mistakes few, and our achievements many. What's especially important is to learn from our mistakes and avoid repeat them over and over.
A close friend asked me to spend a little time with son, who was eminently successful. His earnings were excess of $150,000, but unfortunately the company he was associated with had been acquired by a much larger company and his particular function was duplicated by the acquiring company. I gave this young man some advice, when he appreciated, and I'm happy to say it worked. He came and said, "Bob, I did everything you suggested, had excellent interviews, and I think I'm going to get offer on a job I interviewed for yesterday. It's a wonderful company and a sensational opportunity."
I surprised him with this question: "What did you do wrong at the interview?"
He quietly responded, "Absolutely nothing."
I said, "That's impossible. Something always goes wrong."
He repeated, "Nothing went wrong. In fact, we got very friendly, and we went out to lunch together. We talked about many things, and people we know in common. He really seems sincerely interested in me as a person. I even told him my diabetes is under control."
"What did you just say?"
He repeated, "My diabetes is under control."
"Did the interviewer ask you about your diabetes?" I asked.
"No, he didn't even know I had it."
"Didn't you just tell me nothing went wrong? Why would you point out a negative that wasn't asked for? There are millions of diabetics who function normally in s world, and you obviously are one of them. Bringing it up, however, leads me to believe that you probably d a few other things you shouldn't have."
The young man thought for a moment, and then said, you're right. I think I did say a few things that probably weren't smart."
He didn't get that job, but he learned a lesson in expensive way. He managed to find another job and it worked out very well for him.
I often say, "The mouth serves two purposes. One is to present your thoughts effectively. The other is to provide place in which to put your foot. Your choice!"
The world in which you seek a better job is certainly not the same as it was before. But the rules of interchat between two individuals really haven't changed. The interviewer has to fill a job, and wants the choice he or makes to be a wise one. You, seeking the job, must convince that person that not hiring you would be a big mistake. Nothing new there.
Now, here are a couple of hints you may find helpful.
We found through research that the last person interviewed was hired 55.8 percent of the time, while the first person interviewed got the job in only 17.6 percent of cases. It appears that many employers are heeding the baseball adage about never hitting the first ball pitched doesn't work in baseball, and it certainly doesn't work in hiring. But, be that as it may, it's a fact of life. If you suspect you're going to be the first person interviewed, try to do something about shifting the date. However, be cautious, don't say anything that will jeopardize getting the interview or antagonize the interviewer. If the interviewer a you whether, as an example, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday would be okay, take Thursday.
We did an additional survey through Burke Marls Research that indicated that Monday is, by far, the worst day of the week to be interviewed for a job. The worst time for a job interview is late afternoon.
This information may prove to be useful, but I suggest you to handle it with care-don't lose the interview by manipulating dates and time. You could say, "I'd happy to meet with you at four-thirty, but I'd prefer eleven, if you don't mind."
Reminders on Being Interviewed
A job interview isn't just a pleasant chat. Be prepared.
Rehearse. Know the selling points you intend to bring up no matter what questions are asked.
Anticipate as many questions as possible.
Learn from every interview. Always ask yourself, "What did I do wrong, and what worked particularly well?"
Always assume that when you answer one question, there will be a follow-up, usually in search of specifics.
Carefully review your resume before going into an interview.
Don't confuse confidence with arrogance.
Be enthusiastic. Be the candidate who is perceived as wanting the job the most.
Research the company and the background of your interviewer, if possible.
Be nice to everyone.
