How to Ace the Interview...even if you don't get the job!

Posted on July 02, 2013 by Meryl Frank Harari, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.

Sweaty pits? Dry mouth? Clammy hands? These are all fairly standard physical reactions before a job interview. Would you believe that it does not have to be this way?
How would you like to learn:
• How to make the interview into a conversation, not an interrogation!
• How to take initiative and gain some control of the interview…nicely, politely and with finesse
• Some practical tips and foolproof techniques for accomplishing the 2 objectives above.

Tip #1: You have more control than you realize!
Most people come into an interview worried about their performance, how they’ll be accepted and whether they’ll get the offer. As a result, we don’t think strategically about the interview and we fail to exercise any control over the proceedings.
A different approach is to assume that the interview is really a preview of how you will behave on the job. Thinking strategically, you certainly can exercise control over how much or how little detail you provide in your answers; how sequential and linear your responses are; how much initiative you display (i.e. Do you respond and wait patiently for the next question or do you use follow-on and bridge phrases?) You have far more control over the interview process than you may realize. Very few people leverage this to their advantage.

Tip #2: Think of the Interview as an Audition
It’s pretty daunting to think that you are on display trying out for a role when you’re interviewing. You can count on the interviewer scrutinizing every single thing you do through the filter of how you’ll represent the company as a member of their team. While this can be quite intimidating, remember that you are doing the same thing – examining everything you hear and see and experience through the lens of whether this could be the right employer for you. How you are being treated as an applicant can be a preview of how you will be treated as an employee. (See Tip #1 for the flip side.)

Tip #3: You’re a Player, not a Pawn!
You only need one job — the right match for your skills, background and experience. Sometimes it’s helpful to realize that while you always want to make the best impression possible and receive multiple job offers, the “fit” between employee and the position is everything. You get to weigh in and say whether this is the right one for you. You always have that control! You may have to kiss a lot of frogs but the right match will result in a company wanting the uniqueness that only YOU can offer.

Pre-Interview Prep
• Learn everything you can about the company:
o .The key decision-makers, culture, challenges the company is facing.
o Website, press releases, financial reports, stock data (e.g. CNBC is a good source, as are any number of stock market apps.)
o Talk to people who work there by connecting with your LinkedIn network, recruiters, etc.
• Learn everything you can about YOU! Brush up on your responses to 3 key questions:
o What are your strengths?
o Where can you improve or develop?
o Why should we hire you?
• Keep in mind that the interviewer must come away with 3 key pieces of info:
o Did you really do what you said on your resume?
o Will you fit into our culture? Will we like working with you?
o Do you have an exceptional work ethic?
Day of Interview
• Attention to details is critical and no detail is too small!
o Your appropriate interview attire is ready to go.
o You are ridiculously well-groomed.
o You have Google-mapped your driving route.
• En route: review, prepare, breathe and use whatever mantra you have that will reduce your anxiety.
• Upon arrival — at least 15 minutes early; 30 minutes is better!
o Connect and communicate. Be conversational, gracious.
o Introduce yourself to receptionist and make a connection with that person!
o Read, relax and review their info; review your info.
Interview Tips
• A good handshake and a little small talk are good for starters. Notice your surroundings and look for personal effects that might provide a connection in a genuine way. Be careful that you don’t come across as invasive, creepy or phony.
• Remember to smile where appropriate and make eye contact; try to connect with the interviewer on a personal level.
• In response to a big, hairy question like, “Tell me about yourself”, ask for clarification lightly or skinny-down your response to show you are not a robot. E.g. “I assume you want to hear about my experiences on my last 3 jobs and not my first 5 years of life; is that right?”
• The interview is not a rapid-fire contest to see how fast you can answer questions! However, not all interviewers are equally skilled and if the questions are being hurled at you fast and furiously, slow the pace with comments like: “That’s a great question. Let me think about that.” Or, “I have a number of examples to share but let me come up with one that is most relevant to your company.” Or, after you respond, “Did I answer your question?” “Is that what you needed?”
• Your turn for questions?
o Don’t ask questions that have answers clearly displayed in the public domain just to show you did your homework. That is not impressive.
o Do use the info you learned to frame insightful questions that show you have absorbed and analyzed some facts; you can even offer up some possible solutions that fall under the purview of the position for which you are applying. Prepare to show you can add value by really thinking strategically about how you might solve a problem or initiate an innovative approach. Offer some thoughtful, fact-based solutions.
o Do ask questions like:
 What does success look like in this position?
 If I get the job, how do I earn a “gold star” on my performance review?
 What are the key accomplishments you’d like to see in this role over the next year?
 If we are going to have a very successful year in 2014, what will that look like?
 What will we have done over the next 6 months to make it successful? How does this position help achieve those goals?
 . What types of people are successful here? What types are not?
 What do you enjoy most about working here?

o Be Yourself! A lack of authenticity is obvious to a good recruiter or hiring team. It quickly erodes trust and makes them wonder what else you might be hiding.

When It’s Over…

o Always follow up professionally and promptly. Consider the thank-you email another marketing strategy for your job search but it must be flawless with impeccable grammar, punctuation and spelling.
o A well-crafted letter or email can be yet another (albeit brief!!) reminder of your skills and abilities and how you can be an asset to the team and the company.

So, go forth and ace that interview…or at least show yourself to best advantage and come away feeling empowered!!