Get a Job – Ace the Interview

It was probably difficult to land that job interview, and you don’t want to screw it up! If you can’t interview effectively, your knowledge and work experience will go unnoticed. A less qualified candidate may get the job because of better interviewing skills. As they say, you only have one chance to make a first impression. Here’s how to set yourself up for success.

It’s not about what you want; it’s all about what they need. Study the job description carefully and identify the four or five most important criteria. What skills do they need the most?

For each of the criteria that you have defined, write a couple of sentences that indicate how you fulfill that requirement. Describe one or two achievements that most illustrate your ability to carry out that function. Be sure to write complete sentences, not just notes. This way you will be comfortable speaking in full sentences during the interview. Make your statements concise and be sure to highlight the positive results of your actions.

Don’t take these notes into the interview but practice reading them, keeping in mind that you need to stop when you reach the end. I emphasize this because it will help prevent you from rambling which is one of the most common interview mistakes. You will want to deliver the information and stop. It will then be up to the interviewer to move on to the next topic or ask follow-up questions. Select accomplishments that are among your most significant, ones of which you are proud of. However, be sure to use examples that are most relevant to the specific position.

Refrain from bringing up experiences that are not germane. This will only cloud the issue with extraneous information.

Tell me about yourself
If you have properly prepared this framework, you can use the information to respond to a variety of questions. For example, if you are asked, “Tell me about yourself,” the interviewer does not want to hear you recount your life history or even your professional history from the beginning to the present. By the time you get to the most recent / most relevant information, you may have lost their attention. Tell them the aspects about yourself that show them you will do their job successfully.

Why should we hire you?
If you are asked, “Why should we hire you,” this is another ideal time to respond with the key points in your framework. If you are asked to describe your strengths, make sure they correlate directly with these same points.

Throughout the interview, show enthusiasm for the job and the company even if you aren’t sure you will accept an offer.

It’s not over till…
At the conclusion, be sure to thank them and let them know you are interested. If the information is not provided, ask them to tell you what

the next steps in the decision process will be and when you should expect to hear back. Also, ask for business cards so that you can write a thank you letter as soon as possible after the interview, preferably the same day and by email so that they receive it immediately.

Good luck!

Contact Mauri at 415-391-1794 or mauri@careerinsiders.com.