The Importance of Controlling the Interview…and 3 Tips to Do Just That!
The truth is that the interview is just as much about control as it is direction. The problem is that most interviews don’t have a true plan when it comes to the process. Needless to say, relinquishing control to someone with no real plan – or sense of direction – leaves you wondering where you will end up. More importantly, how can you determine if the job is the right one for you…much less prove you are the right fit for the job.
Recognizing all this, here are a few tips on how to maintain control in the interview to get the information you need:
“So, Tell Me About Yourself?” – This question is as common as it is lacking focus. Instead of trying to guess what the interviewer wants, create some framework. Respond by saying something like:
“I’d love to. Could you share the main objectives you want the person in this role to achieve? This way, I can give you some more pointed examples from my background that will help us both determine if there is a fit here.”
By saying something along these lines you give the interviewer the information they are really looking for (but didn’t know how to ask), get your interview on track, avoid taking you both down a path that provides no value and, most importantly, figure out for yourself if this position is a good fit.
The Phone Interview is an Open Book Test – Pull out your resume. Have your facts in front of you. No one can see you, so use that to you advantage. Make a list of 3-5 key accomplishments that you want to get across in the interview. Tell them as short stories that reflect your style, approach and personality – as well as the facts.
Also, don’t take the all while on the road, getting coffee or in any other setting where you might be distracted. Give this 100% of your attention just like you would in person. Along those same lines, I’d recommend dressing for the interview too. It can only have a positive effect on your mindset which will come across in your voice, confidence and presentation.
“I Wish I Had Said…” - Leave nothing to chance. Was there an awkward pause in the interview? Is there something you were surprised – or even relieved – they didn’t ask? You can’t read minds, so don’t start trying to now. At the end of each interview ask two questions – every time:
“Are there any questions you have for me that we didn’t get to?”
-and-
“What are the next steps in our process?”
Your tone and word choice are important here. You aren’t asking if they have any “hesitations” about moving forward or do they see you as a fit? Both infer negativity and doubt. You are confident and positive in your questions – definitely the note on which you want to end every interview.
These techniques have worked for my clients and I know they will bear fruit for you too. Have some other tips for fellow job seekers that worked for you? Please share them below!
_____________________________________________________________________________
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.kevinkermes.com
Kevin is the Founder of Build the Career You Deserve, a company devoted to empowering professionals with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job they want and build the successful career they deserve. Sign up for his free e-zine – Build the Career You Deserve – for insider tips on how to do just that!
Hi Kevin,
Thank you for this article. My question follows up on this one. What is your suggestion about how to answer the inevitable, “What are your strengths and weakness?” I can easily enumerate my weaknesses but don’t think I should say them the way I feel them — especially now that I’ve been unemployed for awhile. I also know that I need to work on getting my strengths succinctly verbalized without feeling like I’m bragging. But my main question is about how to deal with the weaknesses question.
Thanks again!
Martha,
Like most thigs, viewing this as an obstacle or an opportunity is all about perspective. The first thing I will say is that you have to give a legitimate weakness. The only thing more tired than the question itself is the cliche answer, “My weakness is actually my strength…”
So, take a challenge…an obstacle…and turn it in to an opportunity. Let’s say you had a specific problem that points to a weakness. For example, early on as a manager you realized that delegation was easier said than done for you. Recognizing that, you took corrective action. Maybe you sought out guidance from a peer or mentor. Maybe you found some training that you thought would be beneficial and made the investment on your own. You answer the question about the weakness but, more importantly, show how you solve problems.
If you work this exercise with yourself and discover you have weaknesses you haven’t addresses, then you can take steps to fix them now. No time like the present!
Building Your Success,
Kevin
At the end of an interview I had recently, I asked the interviewer “Was there any reason I could not
be hired for the position?”. It stumped him where he was actually bumbling his words and said
no one had ever asked him that question,
once he collected his thoughts he stated no.
My comment was Great, what are the next steps
Another advisor also recommended ending with: Thank you so much, based on our conversation today…Is there anything in my background that would cause you to think I’m not the perfect person for this opportunity?
However, I think this may be too aggressive and put people on the spot. Does anyone else have any input?
Katrina,
My problem with that phrasing has less to do with it being aggressive than it’s built in negativity. Think about the setting. You have spent upwards of an hour building rapport with the interviewer. Getting them to know-like-trust you. Then you end by taking them to a place where they need to contemplate what you aren’t. What you don’t have. Leaving them with why you shouldn’t work there…and putting you on the defensive as you end the interview.
If they have reservations, asking if there are “any questions you have for me that we didn’t get to” opens the door for them. It is also very harmless if you have established rapport and they are “seeing” you as a for the position. I’d just hate for anyone who was doing so well to throw a wrench in their candidacy by ending on a negative note.
Building Your Success,
Kevin
As an interviewer I’ve had candidates ask me for an assessment at the conclusion of an interview. As an interview my role is to protect the company’s best interest. Besides the fact that the question is ackward, providing feedback may set up a scenario of misunderstandings.