The other day a friend stopped me to tell me about her last interview. Evidently things didn’t go well and she wanted my help. I didn’t have a lot of suggestions when we spoke but, since then, I’ve been thinking of all the things I should have said. During my time of unemployment I learned more than I ever wanted to know about interviewing. Now that I have my dream job, and I’m building a business, I realize that there are three steps to a great interview.
Before I give you the steps, let me give you the definition of a “Great Interview”. You probably think a great interview is any interview where you get offered a job. Wrong. You can always say what you think “they” want you to say to get the job but you’ll end up with a job you don’t want, working for people that you don’t like.
A great interview is one where you give enough information for the company to determine whether you are right for them AND you receive enough information to determine whether the company is right for you. With just one element in place, the relationship is unbalanced and someone is going to be miserable. When both elements exist, however, you have the foundation for a great interview, which is the only kind of interview that will enable you to find your dream job.
Now that you understand the definition of a great interview, here are the three simple steps to take you there.
The first step is to Do Your Homework. As an interviewer, I’m always surprised when someone shows up to interview with me and they are totally unprepared. These are the people that don’t know who I am or what my company is about. They just plop down in the chair and expect me to do all the talking. When an interview starts that way I know that it’s going to be a complete waste of time for both of us.
Your first type of homework is on the interviewer. As soon as the interview is scheduled, ask the scheduler for the name and title of the person you will be meeting with. This will let you know if you are meeting with someone from the Human Resources department or your future boss. It will also let you know if it’s a panel interview so you don’t walk into the interview and panic.
The second type of homework is on the company. You don’t have to do a research project on them, just go to the company’s website and spend a few minutes finding out what they do and where they do it. If you’re really interested in the job, spend another few minutes looking for a press release or searching for recent news about the company. All of this will help you know whether you really want the job and will pay huge dividends when you get to the interview.
The second step to a great interview is to Show Up Early. I realize this sounds like a simple step but it’s important for two reasons. First, I’ve interviewed many people and I can’t remember hiring anyone who arrived late to the interview. Maybe others do it but it’s not a regular occurrence and you should do everything to avoid being in that position. Consider this, most interviewers believe that you see the best of a person at an interview. So if a potential employee arrives late for the interview then we assume that there’s no way the person is ever going to show up on time for work. Why would you ever hire someone like that?
The second and the main reason to arrive early to an interview is to get settled and comfortable. I’m sure you have prepared for the interview already but arriving early gives you that extra time to practice answers to those stock questions that you’re going to be asked. What experience do you have? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What is your best trait? Worst trait? Thinking about the answers to these questions is similar to stretching before exercising. It will get you in the right frame of mind to put your best foot forward in the interview.
You can also use your extra time to get other miscellaneous benefits. When you arrive at least 15 minutes early you can watch the customers, observe the employees and see the workplace in action. All of these things will give you better insight into what the company is about and whether you want to be a part of it. You may even overhear questions being asked to another applicant. This is only possible if you show up early.
The third step to a great interview is an obvious but powerful one. Be Yourself. This step is powerful because the most important thing for you and the company to determine in an interview is whether you fit. Do you fit with the company and does the company fit with you? In a sense, interviewing is a lot like dating and here is where men have a little bit of an advantage.
Consider this. By the time the average guy is 21 he has probably approached about a hundred women. He has presented the best of himself, probably got shot down, then presented the best of himself again and again and again. After a while, he has gotten over the insecurities and learned that the best way to find the perfect fit is to consistently be himself. This advice is valid in any interview and actually works for men and women. Just be yourself.
For those of you who are reading this and saying, “Philip, it’s not that easy. I freeze up in interviews and can’t answer the questions.” Let me encourage you with a piece of advice to remember and repeat to yourself. “Whenever I interview across the nation, just relax and have a conversation.” I know it’s corny, which will help you remember it, but it works.
The goal of the interview is for them to get to know you. The good news is that you are an expert on you. If you’re 30 years old then just remind yourself that you’ve spent 30 years preparing for this interview. You know you better than anyone else. So don’t fret over how many four-syllable words you use, just have a conversation and give them the opportunity to see the best of you.
Lastly, remember that I speak from experience on both sides of the interview table. The advice I’m giving you today has been tried and tested and it works. The keys to your next great interview are simple: Do Your Homework, Arrive Early and Be Yourself. If you do these three things then it won’t be too long before you find yourself at the end of a great interview and accepting an offer for your dream job.
By Philip H. Page, Jr.
Author of Getting Up AGAIN – Surviving Unemployment and Pursuing Destiny
I just wanted to say that this information was very helpful in me pursuing and securing a job that I enjoy and help me fulfill my destiny. Thanks for your expertise.