Richman: Follow a playbook to make the most of your next interview
Richman: Follow a playbook to make the most of your next interview
Long before you arrive at your next job interview ...
• Prepare. It reduces anxiety and increases confidence. But keep in mind that preparing with people who are more anxious than you are will only increase your anxiety. Preparing with people who tear you down won’t build you up, so choose wisely.
• Role play with people who will tell you the truth, who bring out the best in you and who believe in you.
• Work hardest on the questions you fear most. The hardest questions have no right or wrong answers and are the easiest to answer when you tell the truth.
• Rehearse so much that you want to answer the hardest questions first.
• Learn to take feedback, and learn from the feedback you take.
When the big day comes ...
• Get to your interview on time.
• Organize your thoughts.
• Regulate your breathing.
• Smile. Shake hands firmly.
• Share your knowledge, wisdom and perspective. You are the only one who knows what you know.
• If you don’t know, say so.
• Tell the truth — simply, directly and honestly.
Remember that ...
• The interview is a conversation between equals.
• The interviewer will make assumptions and draw conclusions based on what you say and how you say it.
• You should think before you speak.
• If all you do is sell, you won’t know what you’re buying. If all they do is sell, you won’t know what you’re buying.
• There should be a 60/40 split in how much air time the interviewer uses and how much you say in response. The interviewer gets 60. You get 40.
• Interviewers expect you to ask questions.
Don’t forget to ...
• Ask open-ended questions that begin with “Tell me more about ...” and “Describe how...”
• Ask follow-up questions that show you’re listening.
• Listen for content. Probe for intent. Clarify for understanding.
• Ask for next steps.
• Clarify your expectations and their expectations.
• Provide relevant information and ask relevant questions. But remember that the interviewer gets to ask more questions than you do.
• Include the essentials, cut out the extras, add more when it’s invited and hold back when it’s not.
Other things to keep in mind ...
• The interviewer sets the agenda, tempo, tone and climate for the meeting.
• Don’t get hijacked by an agenda, tone or questions that are inappropriate and unprofessional.
• Questions about your work experience are considered appropriate. Questions about your personal choices and world view are considered inappropriate.
• Don’t touch stuff on the interviewer’s desk.
• Interviewers need to know what you know. Your job is to tell them.
• You need to know what interviewers know. You job is to ask them.
• Interviewers assess your potential based upon what you say.
• Interviewers hire team players.
• Interviewers hire people who can work with and through change.
• Interviewers hire people who add value.
• Be a lifelong learner.
• Stretch your mind and flex your attitude.
• Look for potential in everything you do.
• Develop relationships with positive people.
• Smile.
Joyce Richman is a career coach and the author of “Roads, Routes & Ruts: A Guidebook for Career Success.” You can reach her at 288-1799 or JERichman@aol.com. Watch Richman’s latest career advice Wednesdays at 6:35 a.m. during “The Good Morning Show” on WFMY News 2. Find thisand past columns online by visiting www.TriadCareers.com/whois/joyce_richman.
