Think of the
interviewer as your advocate in convincing the company to hire you. Your goal
is to get the interviewer excited about representing you.
·
Interviewers
want candidates to be likable - warm and friendly, yet professional and not
too informal. If the interviewer
finds you likable, he/she can recommend you for a job confident that the next
interviewer will like you, too.
·
Interviewers
often begin an interview with: Tell me
about yourself. This question
is not about sharing
personal/biographical information. They are looking for a summary of your
qualifications and experience and anything else work-related you’d like to share. This is your opportunity to
highlight the things about your professional self you absolutely want them to
know.
·
Another
common question is What is your greatest
weakness? Stay away from answer like I‘m a perfectionist, or, I care too much. Tell about a genuine weakness that won’t adversely
affect your ability to do the job, and that you are working on like: I tend to get nervous if I have to speak
in front of large groups, so I’ve joined a local Toastmaster’s group to get
support in this area.
·
Interviewers
want candidates to be uniquely qualified. Think about the question: Of all the candidates applying for this
position, why should a company hire you?
What is it about your skills and experience that makes you stand out? Be
prepared to communicate your qualifications, both personal and technical, in a
succinct way.
·
Interviewers
are interested in hearing about proven results: be prepared to discuss
successful projects you’ve played a key part in.
·
Interviewers
want to know how you respond under pressure: be prepared to discuss a time
when impressive problem-solving skills, or exceptional people skills, helped
you overcome a challenge on the job.
·
Interviewers
want candidates to be flexible. Be prepared to discuss how you will
contribute to the solution, rather than the problem, when unexpected obstacles
present themselves.
Here are some additional tips that may seem to be no-brainers, but
bear a mention:
·
Be
punctual. (Read to the end of this one.)Being late is considered
disrespectful of the interviewer’s time. However,
if the interviewer is late, do not show any impatience. Chances are he/she has
a full slate of meetings for the day, and may be running a bit late.
·
Be sure
your cell phone is on silent.
Vibrate is a sound.
·
Be
prepared to ask relevant questions. Not doing so can make you appear to be
unprepared or disinterested.
·
Send a thank
you email within 24 hours. Make sure you get the correct email address and
spelling of the interviewer’s name. A simple way is to ask for the
interviewer’s business card if he/she hasn’t given you one.
·
Be sure
you are clear about next steps before you leave.
·
Your
interview begins the second you walk into the building, so carry yourself
with a friendly kind of confidence. You
never know if the people you meet in the security area, reception area, or the
elevator, are people who will be influential in landing the job.
