PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW:
TAKING SUCCESSFUL STEPS TOWARDS A NEW JOB
This will be the first of three articles about Interviewing.This first part is the preparation stage-what do you do before the interview. The second part will be the interview itself. Finally, the third part is after you have gone through the interview process—what is your next step?Interviewing is just one of the important steps in either finding or changing jobs or careers. For all practical purposes, interviewing has not really changed dramatically over the last several decades. Interviews are still face-to-face encounters with human resources representatives or hiring managers.Every organization has its own unique way of doing things. Interviewing is part of that unique style of managing the organization. Some companies have consensus-based interviewing in which you encounter a variety of sta
ff members, from your supervisors to your colleagues with whom you will be working. In many government jobs, you might face a panel of interviewers who will ask the same set of questions of each job candidate. Many companies will go through a process (a succession of 2-3 interviews) to probe more deeply into your fit as a candidate.Preparation is key to a good interview. Preparation provides you with a sense of control. There will be other aspects of the interview that will be outside of your control. Don’t worry about these. If you have truly done your part, you have done your job in the interviewing process.What homework should you do?. As part of doing your homework, you are trying to identify and clarify five main areas:
- 1. Who you are---your capabilities, your skills, where you might fit in the organization, preferred work style and environment.
- 2. Know what you want. This does not have to be in terms of job titles, but rather, what skills do you plan to use. Where are you going? Have your short or long-term plans defined. Ask questions about your prospective job. Does this job fit with your current plans? Is it something you can handle? Would you be bored, or challenged by the job?
- 3. Research the prospective company. What do you know about the company? What is the corporate culture or way of doing things including their management style? How are they viewed in their industry? What are their critical issues facing their company? How do they treat their employees?
- 4. Anticipate questions and ways to communicate how you can impact their organization.
- 5. Find out more about the job itself. To whom do you report? What are they like to work for? Is this a structured or unstruc tured environment? Is there opportunity for growth? Will I fit in? Will I thrive or just merely survive? What are the day-to- day tasks like?
All employers are interested in essentially the same kinds of things. However, it does vary according to the purpose and nature of the organization. Here are a few examples of what they want from you:*How can you make money, or more money, for the company* An Individual who creates or maintains systems that save time, are more efficient, or save money*Someone who develops new products, services, or markets for the organization (it doesn’t matter if it is a nonprofit or a private organization)*A person who will Improve or maintain exemplary customer serviceExamples of your achievements provide the interviewer with a brief snapshot of your work. Good examples tell visual stories of your work---the nature of your work and how you do it (they are quantifiable and measurable) You should have several ready to discuss.. Here are some simple examples.""I created a PowerPoint presentation about Stress Management used by the Training Department. To date, 300 employees have participated in this program.""I answer over 100 customer calls per day and route them to our 15 sales people." I was the project manager for a new product line at our company. I managed 100 people and a $20 million budget. "What you should learn before you come to the interview:Tom Jackson and Bill Buckingham, authors, of Interview Express. recommend that you research seven things in advance of your interview, and know the answer to these fundamental questions:
- Who are the prospective employers and what do they do?
- What has the company done?
- Who are their competitors?
- What have been their successes?
- How can the job you are applying for impact your respective employer?
Be prepared for 3 successes for your interview.There are many places to look for information about the company. Here is just a sample. With the popularity of the Internet, information is readily available.There is a whole array of open information: annual reports, articles in the paper, company newsletters, industry reports. Competitors also can lend an interesting perspective. Ask them, "What is your perception of Company….?" "In your opinion, who do you feel is your main competition and why?" "Of all your competitors, who does the best job and why?"Jackson and Buckingham also advise job seekers to probe deeply before going on the interview. Get informed about:
- The company’s mission statement
- Strategic plans and objectives
- Corporate values and missions
- Current issues affecting the department, company
- Organizational changes (present and proposed)
Personal information is invaluable. If you know of current employees, they can provide you with valuable insights that will not be provided by printed materials.BE PREPARED FOR THE STANDARD QUESTIONS AND POSSIBLY YOUR ACHILLES HEELIt is always important to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. In other words, anticipate any areas of difficult questions.All employers want to hire new employees who can jump in and do the job with minimal supervision. They are interested to know how you can specifically impact their company? There is no better predicator of success than your previous track history, therefore they will ask you:
- • Why are you leaving your position?
- • What are your career plans? Short-term as well aslong-term? (Will you stay? Also, are you focused and have plans).
- • Will you fit in with the corporate culture?
But the most crucial questions comes down to this one simple question---"Why should we hire you?" Or a version of this: "Tell me about your experience."Other standard questions include:
- Why are you interested in this position? Company?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- How well do you do under pressure?
It is important to map out what you plan to communicate. Don’t assume the interviewer has thoroughly read your resume. Assume the contrary. Practice. Practice. Practice. Ask friends and colleagues to conduct a mock interview. Join a Job Club to rehearse your answers. Better yet, why not get videotaped.Remember: preparation is the key to a positive interview. |
