How to ace your interview

How to ace your interview

What is a job interview

So let's first understand what it means to interview for a job. A job interview is not the same as a technical screen nor a personality screen. A job interview is really a conversation between two parties who are looking to learn more about each other. The days of "you need to prove to me why you should get the job" are over. It's much more of a two-way dynamic where the company is trying to convince you just as much as you are trying to convince your future employer.

Presentation

First impressions are forever. It is almost impossible to get around a poor initial meeting. The wrong look, a poorly said greeting, a careless handshake and even the color of your socks can kill an interview before you have even started. Prior to your interview ask about the workplace attire and dress appropriately. If it's business casual or stricter then wear a suit. If it's a casual environment with jeans then be fashionably professional. If it's dress down......definitely ask.

Turn it into a conversation

Every interview needs to be a conversation. If you are 15 minutes in and it feels like a question and answer session then things are not going well. This all hinges on how you answer the very first question. If you give a performance based response this will cause the hiring manager to see you in a different way and it will evolve into a more natural conversation which will allow you to speak to your strengths moreso than your weaknesses.

How to give a performance based answer

This technique of answering questions is something you may have heard in your senior year of college.

Who - What was your title /role
Where - What company were you working at the time
Problem - Describe using a real life example
Solution - How did you go about solving the problem
Result - What was the end result. Give a measurement if possible.

Regardless of how a question is asked a performance based answer is the best approach. This type of response to an interview question will give the interviewer the impression that you really have done the things that you claim to have done. It will grab the hiring manager's attention in a positive way and he or she will rather look for other areas where you can contribute instead of trying to identify weaknesses.

You are sharing your story with a participating listener

With that said be mindful of how long your answers should be. Try to keep them to ABOUT two minutes in length which means you will need to keep out the fluff. Keep to the structure of a performance based answer and you will sound succinct and professional. Important note: don't lead chit chat. Even if the conversation takes a personal lean in terms of hobbies, family and so on make sure that what you are saying has substance sincerity. The worst thing that you could do is to appear to placate a manager's "small talk" by faking interest. 

Do your homework

Make sure you know ahead of time who you may be speaking to during the interview. Gather some research on their background which you could do simply by looking up their LinkedIn profile. You will want to know their education, job history, title and tenure at the organization. Look out for certifications, user groups and any other activities that they make mention in their public profile. Don't miss out on an opportunity to make a meaningful connection.

Understand the company

Make sure you have basic information on the organization. Where is it headquartered, how much revenue does it generate, what are its products or services, who is the leadership and what is its mission?

Come with prepared questions 

Trust me, any hiring manager, who is worth his or her salt, will ask, "Do you have any questions?" The worst thing that you can do is to say, "No I do not." Prepare some questions that will show what is most important to you in your next position and that show the value you can bring to the organization. Ask the hiring manager what he or she likes about the organization? Do not be afraid to ask if the manager has any concerns about your ability to be successful in the role.

"From what I have been able to share with you today, is there any particular area or skill where you think I will need to show more strength?"

Practice

As simple as this might sound it is critical to your success and the chances of you nailing the interview. Prepare your answers. Write them and speak them aloud to a mirror. You can never be too experienced to do this.

Goal

Your goal is to have the interviewer leave with the belief that you will be successful in this organization. For yourself, you need to learn from the conversation and determine if it is something that you are interested in.