Getting Ready For the BIG Interview

The job interview might be the only thing left between you and the position of your dreams. Even when you’re the most qualified candidate with an impeccable resume, a litany of recommendations and solid references, a poor interview performance can leave a lousy impression on a potential employer.

Yet, you can avoid nearly all interview mishaps if you prepare the right way for your interview. This means always knowing which talking points to bring up and why these points are important in determining if the position is a good fit for you.

The Actual Job The most fundamental goal of the interview is to determine whether you have the skills to do the job. Your interviewer may not even know how to figure out if you have what it takes. You must be ready to do it for them. Be prepared with a list of your top selling points so the interviewer is completely aware of your advantages over others.

The Company In a recent survey by Account Temps, 38% of hiring managers said the number one interview mistake they encountered was that the potential employee had little or no knowledge about the organization. You can do your homework ahead of time so you are ready to say why you want to work at that job and for that company. A simple google search or a conversation with a current employee would provide a great resource for the due diligence that you should be doing.

The Culture The work environment can determine whether you love your job or hate it. Address the work culture with your interviewer to make sure your values align. There’s nothing worse than landing a job only to realize the organization is not a place where you would feel comfortable working. Simply asking questions (which I will cover later) can give you a sense of if you will like your new employer or facility.

Industry Knowledge If you want to impress the interviewer, you should show off your knowledge of the industry by talking about recent newsworthy events within your profession or the company’s newest innovations. Thoroughly understanding your industry proves your passion for the field and having this knowledge suggests you have a deeper level of expertise than the average candidate.

Past Experience Your past experiences demonstrate how you would perform if you landed the job. So, you want to be prepared to describe past experiences where you had a big impact. If you have numbers to back up your claims, that’s even more persuasive.

Portfolio A portfolio is a visual representation of your past work. It not only shows off your accomplishments, it also lends proof to your track record and the added value that you bring to the bargaining table. While a portfolio may not be essential for many positions, having physical representations of your work that you can share upon request will make you look good because you went that extra mile. A simple 2 pocket folder with your resume, cover letter, list of references, recommendations, certifications, awards, etc., should all be in there.

Your Plan During your interview, you need to show the company what you can do for them. Lay out what you’d do, should you get the job. This plan doesn’t need to be detailed, it just needs to illustrate how you would positively contribute to the position. For instance, presenting how you would reduce customer turnover is an easy, yet beneficial way to show an employer why you would do well. Another idea to share would be how your positive spirit and strict adherence to company policies would add value to the team.

Your Referral There is nothing wrong with name dropping if the person helped you land the interview. If you were referred to the position, be sure to remind the interviewer. This connection may put some legitimacy behind your candidacy, as well as spark a positive conversation between you and the interviewer.

Thought-out answers to questions as well as questions to ask Always make sure you have questions at the end of the interview. From queries about the interviewer’s role to thoughts on the history of the position, questions show your desire for the job. They can also give you more insight into the role, which may not have been addressed during the more formal portion of the interview. There are just as many good questions that you should ask as there are bad questions that you definitely should not ask.

What do employers look for when they ask, “Do you have any questions for us?”

Most candidates are well-prepared to answer questions about their technical backgrounds, but it is common for some very bright interviewees to stumble when it is their turn to ask questions. They either have not thought about any questions to ask, they ask questions that suggest that they have not done their homework about the company/position, or they inquire about benefits, which is a real turn-off for most employers before you are offered a job. How can employers answer questions about benefits or salary if they have not even put an offer together for you?

When employers ask: “Do you have any questions for us?” they are not interested in how taking this job will affect your personal life (commute or ability to buy a new house).

When it is your turn to ask questions, employers want to see:

1. Are you interested in this job/company?

2. Are you looking to add value to this company to help them be successful?

3. Did you do your due diligence about this company and their mission?

4. Do you have the right personality for this job?

The worst possible answer is to say that you have no questions at all, because then some interviewers will assume that you have no interest in the position. If you have done your homework and have a sincere interest in this position, you probably will have questions about the position, your responsibilities, and interactions with other groups in the company. Instead of being relieved that the interview is nearly over, this is the time to show energy and enthusiasm, so you leave a great impression on your interviewer. When you are asked, “Do you have any questions for us?” you still need to show that you have the right personality and qualifications for this job. It is not a time to relax and have a casual conversation. The best strategy is to ask questions related to the job or company, and not about salary or benefits. The list of questions that you should NOT ask is infinite, of course, (e.g. are tattoos allowed? – no kidding, some candidates actually are concerned about this), but this list will give you a general idea of what types of questions to not bring up at all or to bring up after the offer has been made. When it is your turn to interview the employer (phone or in-person) NEVER ask:

Information about the company that you could have easily found with a quick Google search. You really need to do your research about their product/service, so you can show how you can bring value to the company with your skill set.

What is a typical salary for this position? This is a tricky one, as some companies will ask you about salary expectations even before you apply. In most cases, it usually the HR person or recruiter who will bring up salary before they bring you in for an interview. They might ask: “What are you looking for in terms of salary?” Discussions about salary are beyond the scope of the article, but a general recommendation is to avoid giving a specific number and instead emphasize that you want to be compensated according to your experience level. If they keep probing, as them what their range is for this position. Most of the time, this question will not come up during a technical interview, so do not bring it up.

How much vacation do your employees get? What types of health insurance/benefits do you offer? Save any questions about benefits until after you have been offered a job. Most companies will actually send you a benefits package when you get an offer. Most companies start with 2-3 weeks, and then gradually increase it as you spend more time with the company. Another common one in this category is, what is your maternity/paternity leave policy? Most people love babies, but this is question is a real turn-off. When you are trying to show that you are bringing value to the company, nobody wants to hear that you might go not be around for several weeks or months.

Can I work at another job part-time? I am starting my own company and I am curious whether I will have the opportunity to continue if I am hired? Most employers are concerned if you have another job, or are starting your own company because you cannot commit as much time to their company and there might be a conflict of interest in your own line of business. If you do have another part-time job (or your own company), you might need to answer questions about it either during the interview or after you are hired. Some companies also require you to sign paper-work indicating that there is no conflict of interest. In summary, do not bring it up during your initial interview. You will have the opportunity to handle it after you are hired.

How many hours am I expected to work? Am I expected to work on the weekends? Most jobs require more than a 9-5 commitment. In order to be promoted, you will need to go the extra mile, and probably work overtime at least occasionally so anticipate it.

Where do people usually eat lunch? How long is the lunch break? This could be a concern if you have dietary restrictions, or are considering going out to eat during your lunch hour. However, it is best to stay away from any questions related to you diet.

Do you have a gym? Are there options to work out here? While it is important to stay healthy, and some employers have a gym and offer fitness classes, a job interview is not the time to inquire about options that will help you stay in shape. Many employers will actually show you the gym during a tour, but even then just show that you are impressed and stay away from specific questions such as gym hours and fitness classes.

Do you allow telecommuting? Do you have flexible hours? If you live far, and your employers inquires whether you would be willing to drive 1.5-2 hours in each direction, let them know why this position is a good opportunity for you, and worth the 3-4 hour daily commute. Long commutes are unfortunately common, but once you have established trust with your supervisor, they might allow you to work from home occasionally, especially in inclement weather. The interview is not the time to ask about telecommuting – you will have opportunities to find out about job flexibility after you get an offer.

What do you think are my chances of getting this job? Any indication that you are not 100% confident that you are the perfect candidate for the job, will leave the employer with a poor impression of you.

Do you run a background check? Will you call my references? These questions are asking for trouble, and will make you sound very insecure. The answer is definitely yes to the first question, and a “probably yes” to the second question

The list of questions NOT to ask is endless. I just listed the most common ones that people ask, because they don’t realize that the point of the interview is to establish what you bring to the company, and not how the job will affect your lifestyle.

Hopefully you have done your homework, and you have collected enough questions to fill in any extra time that you might have during the interview. Appropriate questions include inquiring about the nature of the job itself, career advancement in the company, interactions with other groups in the company, company culture, and technical details of their products or services.

Here are some ways to demonstrate your interest in the company, and find out if they are a good fit for you:

1) How would you describe the primary responsibilities of the position?

2) What’s the most important thing I can accomplish in the first 60 days?

3) What are the most important qualities you are looking for in a successful candidate?

4) How would you describe a typical week/day in this position?

5) What are the prospects for growth and advancement?

6) What do you enjoy most about working in this company?

7) How would you describe the company’s culture?

8) What do you think are the biggest challenges in this position?

9) Do you offer opportunities for training to advance my skill sets in… (Be specific to demonstrate how you would like to advance your career and add more value to the company). Be sure that you are not asking for training in a skill set that is required for your current job.

10) What is your interaction with other groups in your company? (Or other sites of the same company?)

11) What is the company’s management style?

12) Are there any additional questions I can answer for you about my background or qualifications? Save this one for last, after you have demonstrated interest in the company, position, and that you have the right qualifications. This question gives the interviewer one more opportunity to discuss any reservations they may have about you.

Additional appropriate questions for HR:

1) If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start?

2) When can I expect to hear from you?

3) Would you like a list of references?

In summary, when you ask the right questions, you demonstrate why you are the right person for this job. This is your opportunity to find out if this position is the best match for your skills, talents, and professional development – it might not be the best for your lifestyle but you can handle those issues after you have an actual paycheck.

In order to get to this point, you have to put in the work. If you want that job, go for it. I constantly hear from people looking for work that no one is hiring and I often hear from employers that their pool of applicants is shallow. There is definitely something wrong with how people go about landing a job interview and I will discuss that in the near future. Most of the time none of the candidates have all the qualifications on the list. Even if you don’t get the job, you will still get valuable interviewing experience that will help you shine in upcoming interviews.