How to Shine in the Interview
First Impression Seals the Deal
Although you may spend an hour or more in an interview, the interview is really over in five minutes. If you have not convinced the interviewer within the first five minutes that you are the right person for the job (or at least a contender who should be taken to the next level), it can be nearly impossible to rebound. Recoveries do happen, but are very rare.
First and foremost — be on time! Conventional wisdom holds that being late for a job interview is an automatic black mark against a candidate.
During the first five minutes the interviewer will evaluate your appearance, grooming, handshake, personal presence, eye contact, articulation and most importantly — your personality. It is these “soft factors” that will carry you to the next level.
If you manage to pass the initial 5 minute test, the next level is to “sell” your experience, background and value proposition. Your job is to convince the interviewer how you will bring value to the business, in both the short and long-term as well as how quickly will you “ramp up” and provide results.
In a recent survey, 57% percent of hiring managers said they would pass over candidates who are vague about their previous experience or inarticulate in their communication. Being unintelligible in the interview is a strong indication the candidate will be unable to communicate well on the job.
Be Prepared
Do your homework! It is vital to be prepared so that you can clearly articulate your “value add”. Taking the time to thoroughly research the company and where you “fit” in it will boost your confidence ensuring your words will flow smoothly. If not, it will show. Your positive attitude and demonstrated certainty will establish the tone for the interview and provide the opportunity to make your personal connection with the interviewer. The clearer and more specific you are, the more likely you will score major points.
Interviewers ask several questions. Two key questioning styles are:
Behavioral Questions include: “Can you give me a specific example of how you did that?” or “What were the steps you followed to accomplish that task?” The purpose is to anticipate predictable future behaviours based upon past responses.
Competency Questions include: “Can you give me a specific example of your leadership skills?” or “Explain a way in which you sought a creative solution to a problem.” The purpose is to align your past behaviours with specific competencies required for the position.
Be definitive and explain your answers. For example, don’t just say: "I'm a very goal-oriented person” add: “In fact, I regularly update a list of personal and business goals with specific time frames. Since I started keeping this goal list three years ago, I've successfully reached or surpassed over 95% of these goals. I'm confident that the other 5% are also within reach in the coming year."
Behavioural and competency interviewing has gained greater acceptance by trained interviewers because past performance is the most reliable predictor of future results, especially when tied to specific competencies for the position. Always provide examples and stories. This makes you a real person with real experiences—the essential ingredient that benefits a future employer.
The top ten critical success factors that nearly every employer is seeking are:
- Positive attitude toward work
- Proficiency in field of study
- Communication skills (oral and written)
- Interpersonal skills
- Confidence
- Critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Flexibility
- Self-motivation
- Leadership
- Teamwork
Demonstrating your competence in as many of these critical success factors as possible will position you above the competition and increase your chances of securing the job.