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July 2008 |
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Career CornerThree Interview Tips That Can Change Your Life A lot of people don't understand what an interview really is. They think that "selling themselves" means reminding the employer of all their qualifications. But that's only partially true. In fact, coming off as a know-it-all or a dialog mired in self-promotion is a sure way to fumble an interview. So what's the point of an interview? Think about it like this: When you test drive a luxury car, you don't need to be told it's a luxury car or that it has a powerful engine and a nice interior. You already know that — that's why you're spending time test driving it. Rather, you test drive a car for the same reason an employer conducts an interview: To find out if it's a good fit. So how do you put yourself in the best light without making it about you and still making a connection? Here are three tips to do just that: Become an expert Research the company ahead of time. Learn the names of the key officers, the organizational structures, who the ownership is (if it's not publicly traded) and what is the company's short- and long-term direction. You can't learn too much about the company, so spend as much time as your desire for the job warrants. Even if the knowledge about the company has no bearing on your day-to-day job description, do it. Knowing the company inside and out will give you something else to talk about than your qualifications. It's also a chance to turn the interview into a natural conversation because both you and the employer will be nearly experts on the same topic. And demonstrating that you know about the company and even researched it sends the message that you are enthused about this job. Being a good fit means that the job is right for you as much as you are right for the job. Be inquisitive Once you've researched the company, you will be better equipped to execute the next tip, which is to be inquisitive. It's alright to not know everything about the company. So, feel free to ask. According to some surveys, employers rank "not asking questions" as the No. 1 interview mistake. One thing you can't see on a resume is a person's analytical skills, but an applicant who asks questions is seen as curious, thoughtful and engaged — all the makings of a problem solver. Knowing a lot about the company will open up natural opportunities to ask informed questions, which will put you in a good light. Practice, practice, practice There are people who can do interviews without much preparation at all. But that just means they could improve their performance by practicing. Consider the most eloquent speeches you've heard from greatest speakers throughout history. We look at them and we see gifted, passionate people. But all those speeches also have something else in common: They were rehearsed. There are plenty of sample interview questions on the internet for you to quiz yourself and develop succinct answers. Some people think this provides superficial answers. But, there's nothing wrong with having thought through these things before the questions are asked. If you were hiring, wouldn't you want someone who was prepared? |
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