Hello Everyone!
One of my clients insisted I brine my turkey for Thanksgiving - a nerve-wracking choice; Though I am very aware you never try anything new on big holiday meals, soaking my 22 lb. bird in salt water was a fabulous idea. It was the juiciest turkey we've ever had, unbelievably delicious...and a good thing, because the stuffing was - um - not as big a success. The only bruise in the meal, and the only leftover I tossed. I can live with that; Though my brother threatened not to come next year unless I got it right. The holiday highlight? Playing Pictionary with our parents - if you have never played Pictionary with people over seventy, I highly recommend it. I never laughed so hard in my life.
Now that you're caught up on the hilarity of my family's holiday - I wanted to touch on interview style. You can imagine how many times a day I have to coach someone through the interview process. It's part of my job to know the company inside and out, who you'll be interviewing with, what the personality type is, what they want to hear and how they want to hear it. The interview is so much more than your resume, it's how you present yourself. Whether a phone screen or an in-person interview, communicating clearly, answering questions directly, and remembering to be yourself, are all important parts of a successful interview. On the phone, all you have is your voice, cadence, and ability to listen. The main goal of a phone screen is to get you in front of the hiring manager. In-person, you've got the whole package to present - be professional, make eye contact - without freaking them out - The main goal of an interview is to gain an interest in hiring you. Remember, you are presenting yourself, not selling or pushing. If this is the right job for you, it's yours. Letting go versus exerting your will is key. I don't know about you, but every time I push my way into a situation that presented too many obstacles, it was never the right situation for me. Life is not as hard as we make it. But that's another blog, another tangent. Let's stay focused.
What to keep in mind:
1. Know the company. Research the website, grill your recruiter, get the names right.
2. Know the job. Know what they are looking for technically, requirements and what experience is ideal. What ever you have that matches that, be prepared to highlight in the conversation.
3. Treat every single interview, even if it's your fifteenth, like your first.
4. Relax. Remember in High School, when you really liked so and so - you felt a little frenetic trying to get his/her attention? This tends to happen when we really really want a particular job. The bottom line - present yourself at your best, and if it's for you, the job is yours. Trying too hard will only turn off a hiring manager. No one wants to deal with the too eager - it makes you look like an undesirable.
5. Never discuss money or benefits in the first interview. Sounds too much like "Will you marry me" on the first date.
6. Interview them right back! This is where you are going to spend eight (or ten, or fifteen) hours a day of your life. Make sure it's somewhere YOU want to be.
7. Do I have to say - Be On Time? Etiquette is important. And that too, goes both ways.
8. If you are not sure on directions and location of the job, drive it the day before. No need to stress yourself out just before the interview.
9. Fake it. If you are having a horrible day, your wife irritated you, your children are home sick, the dog just went in for surgery, reschedule, or leave it at the door. The interview is not the place to commiserate. If you have a good relationship with your recruiter, call for a pep talk. I promise you, you call just before your interview, your recruiter will pick up immediately.
10. Going back, briefly, to my earlier tangent. If this is the right job for you, you'll land it - so long as you've presented yourself at your best and most articulate. Try to ride that line between sure of yourself, and humble. And if you feel good about this role, and want it - don't be afraid to ask for it on your way out. "This is a great role, you've got me interested if you think I'm the right one for (insert company name)".
Touch base with me anytime - If any of these positions interest you, shoot me an email - always best; And for goodness sake, forward this on! I'm trying to take over the world here.
Thanks everyone! Have a great week.
JT
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