Ace Your Next Interview
"We'd like you to come in for an interview," are THE words every job seeker wants to hear. But, it is important to respond with two questions:
"With whom will I be interviewing?"
This is an attempt to learn more about the job, duties and their interviewing approach. Is it a person or a panel? You'll not only want to know the person and their title, but get a job description if you can.
"Certainly! May I ask what dates and time you have available?"
Try to be the first or last person on any given day. When you are sandwiched between others, the interviews often get hurried, with less time between interviews for their important notes about you!
Making an excellent first impression, and effectively closing the interview often dictates who lands the job. Perhaps they thought you were the wrong candidate from the very beginning. Or maybe you bored the interviewer into NOT hiring you with verbose, lengthy and indirect answers. Never use more than 60 seconds on any answer!
Robin recommends you use the "60 Second Sell", which is a finely-tuned interview technique that effectively communicates to employers that you are the right person for the job. Most employers remember only a few things about any given candidate after the interview. Using the 60 Second Sell focuses the employers attention to remember your most important attributes. Analyze the job duties that the employer needs done, then select your top five selling points - the strongest abilities to do the job. Link these five points together in a few sentences that are said in one minute - this is your 60 Second Sell. Using this tool early in the job interview to answer the request "Tell me about yourself" will engage the employer's interest without boring them with your life story or wasting precious minutes which will not effectively marketing your skills.
Probing with the previously mentioned two questions may help you anticipate the 'style' of interview you are about to undertake. The most important styles to plan for include:
The Screening Interview
This interview is designed to narrow a pool of candidates and is usually conducted by Human Resources or a company recruiter. Often it is conducted on the telephone, catching you off-guard and unprepared. It is a good time to take control, tell the interviewer you are just finishing something and will call them back in ten minutes. Use this time to collect your resume and prepare, then make the call.
Panel Interview
The primary challenge in the panel interview is to determine who has the ultimate decision-making power. Be prepared for topics to change quickly and randomly, disrupting your flow. Try to determine the decision maker, typically that will be your boss. The best way to learn this is to simply ask when you are first introduced to the panel who the potential boss would be. That is the most important person to impress.
Situational Questions Interview
This is become a very common interview style where every candidate gets asked the same question requiring you to explain a specific situation, i.e. " Tell me about a time you were criticized at your current job. " These questions require thoughtful answers. The questions use past behavior to anticipate future performance. This style is very difficult to succeed if you are unprepared.
You can be fully prepared for any style of interview after learning the pitfalls and techniques presented in Robin Ryan's comprehensive package "Interview Advantage" Audio Program. Also available, is an individual coaching with Robin that is comprehensive, with step-by-step strategies and a preparation process that will empower you to enter your interview ready to perform at your very best. Click here for details.
© Copyright 2005 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.
America's most popular career counselor, Robin Ryan, is the author of four bestselling books: 60 Seconds & You're Hired!, Winning Resumes, Winning Cover Letters, and What to Do with the Rest of Your Life. She's appeared on over a thousand TV & radio shows including Oprah, Dr. Phil, and has been published in most major newspapers and magazines including USA Today & the Wall Street journal. Contact her at 425.226.0414; email: info@robinryan.com.
Sign up to receive her free monthly career eNewsletter at www.RobinRyan.com.
Reprints release: Newspapers, magazines, online websites are granted permission to reprint this in part or whole but must carry author's bio, book credits and include author's website information (with link if online) PLUS email author at RobinRyan@aol.com and state when and where reprint publication will occur. Questions: contact author at 425.226.0414.