How should one approach a job interview?

[Nikia]

Poll question: How should one approach a job interview?

Many of us are looking or know people who are looking for work. It may because I am not exactly applying for fast food jobs anymore, but interviews seem to be more extensive and with more people than before. I evidently have not done well at my interviews because I still am at my job that I dislike. It occurred to me that part of the reason is that I approach them like interrogation seesions. I don't engage the interviewer in conversation. I tend to just answer the questions and ask questions when asked at the end. When I occaisionally go off topic a little, it is always related to my work experience or a question about their workplace related to the original question.
I have a close friend who is also looking for work. He hasn't much luck either. He said though that every job he has gotten has been after he realted to the hiring manager (or his new boss) on a personal level. He looked for a window of opportunity to discuss and relate to the bosses personal interests.
It occurred to me that these are two completely different approaches. My friend's approach is more like how things were at my college for sorority/fraternity rush. The interview is more about getting to know one another, including a little bit of pertainent conversation. I use this analogy because I did go through rush and joined a sorority. We were told that rush was about meeting people, but I later realized that in some ways it was an interview.
With my approach, I probably don't appear very personable, but I thought that job interviews were about answering their work related questions. This is what interview books seem to suggest too.
I should add that I am an introvert by nature and tend to be closed to people who I don't know. It doesn't feel natural for me to make small talk with strangers. If I am going to take the second approach, this is something that I'll have to consciously do.

[tjdee]

1. They may remember you more if you personally relate.

When they go back through their notes, it might give you a bit extra if they go...oh yeah, she was the one who went to the same school as my brother/noticed the picture on my wall/etc.

I approach all my interviews like that though, and I JUST got a job.
I went into like, you know what, I don't even care if I get this job (maybe that's the trick!) I did ask my boss how she got into that line of work, and she just lit up and said that was a "good question". And it worked, apparently?
:shrug:

[haele]

2. I've always found that you approach a job interview as if

you are interviewing them. That you're interested in the way their company works, that you want to see what the company can do for you, that you want to find out what their goals for that position are.
If you take that approach, you're more confident and less likely to make a poor impression on the hiring manager by rambling on about yourself at inappropriate times.

Y'see, the hiring manager isn't going to be your boss. All s/he is concerned about is 1) are you qualified for the job position that's open and 2) are you confident and show the ability to do the work in a competent manner.

Heck, even if you aren't totally qualified for the job, if you impress them as someone who is confident in their abilities, willing to work hard and learn, you may end up as a viable candidate for that position - especially if you're up against people who are desperate for any work or are letting their resume speak for them.

Good luck.

Haele

[gristy]

7. I wouldn't take this too far

The hiring manager may most certainly be your boss. Save most of your questions for the HR person. If I'm interviewing someone and they are spending too much of the interview asking their own questions (and controlling the interview), they don't get hired. End of story.

[RPM]

9. I agree - it's incredible what you can do if you control the interview

First - research the hell out of the employer and the interviewer; Google is a good friend here; Learn about the company, its history, its competitors. Learn about your interviewer - activities? Kids? Where was the person educated? Look for threads that are common to your interests/experiences - if there are none, find a thread of their experience that iterests you. Have as many common topics/facts/experiences in your head before you go to the interview. Also - have your sales pitch together: you must be able to quickly and intelligently answer the usual softball questions (e.g. "why did you decide to go to law school after working for 6 years out of college...")


Second - approach the interview like a conversation; You will come off as more comfortable (as you will be) and very easy to engage - both things that are important in many jobs. Using your scouted out information and your rehearsed sales pitch, take each question you are given and slam-dunk it with your rehearsed answer - tie something about the person into your answer - then turn your answer into a question... e.g. INTERVIEWER: Why do you want to work at Mom&Pop Shop after working a Megaglomerate, Inc.? YOU: Well, I want this job because I am looking for an opportunity to get smaller company where I can see the whole business up close and have the opportunity to make an impact ont the firm's direction. What brought you to the Mom&Pop?

It allows you to not be on the hot seat; gives the other person a chance to talk about themself (two big benis here: 1) people like to talk about themselves, 2) gives them a chance to bring up things about them or the company (that you already know from researching) and then you can bring up the information you know; Helps you control the tempo and topics.

But most of all - just remember its a conversation; and if you do your homework and direct the converstation, its a conversation in which you know more about the topics than your interviewer does.

Good Luck

[CAcyclist]

10. Some ideas from an employers perspective

I have only owned my business for 2 years but I went through a lot of turnover in that time and only now have stabilized and my clinic is very small.

I made a lot of hiring mistakes myself, so one thing you might console yourself with if you don't get the job is that the person interviewing may not have yet learned to recognize a good employee.

Having said that, some basics. Come prepared, come on time - don't come more than 10 minutes early, though, wear what you expect you would wear in the position, be thorough and come armed with questions.

Prepared means researching the qualifications for the position, the company and the industry in general. Be ready to answer standard questions - I started having my applicants fill out a 5 page questionnaire so I could compare answers better and that was a real help for me. One question I want to hear is where a person expects to be in five years. I want to know if the person is looking at this position as a permamnent position or a stepping stone or just something to do to pay the bills.

Being thorough means answering all questions completely. If you are filling out an application or answering an ad, read or listen to the directions carefully. If the ad says not to send your resume by email, don't think you are an exception.

[skygazer]

3. Bottom line, you have to make an impression

Figure these people are interviewing a lot of applicants. You need to leave an impression in their mind, something that will make you stand out from the crowd. In a positive way. Presumably everyone will have roughly the same qualifications so it's a matter of making the memory of you stand out.

How? I don't know, really. It may be something to do with work experience or it may be relating on a personal level. Or it may be your attitude and bearing. I tend to be friendly, professional and open in an interview because I'm pretty outgoing. Perhaps you do need to make more of an effort to connect.

It's a real balancing act and much of it is pure luck, I think. Good luck - I'm sure this is no help at all! :hi:

[DenaliDemocrat]

4. Be yourself

I have gotton almost every job I ever for which I interviewed, good jobs too. I also help interview new employees today. Here is something to remember, everyone thinks that the interview is to see if you are qualified...nah, that is just not true. By the time you are at an interview, they KNOW you are qualified to do the job, otherwise they would not be interviewing you (job interveiwing is expensive and the weed-out process is extensive), now they want to see if you will "fit" with their office, people etc.

Therefore

1) be yourself (if you don't like them, and they don't like you -- why bother, no one will be happy)

2) Tell the truth. I was once a six-month assignment in a crappy place to live and work, but the $$$ was excellent. In the interview they asked why I would want the job -- I said the $$$. Turns out, that was the answer they were looking for, they figured it was the ONLY reason someone would go to that place for six months.

[Onlooker]

5. To get through the first round, it's about being personable

You have to find a way to small talk. You don't have to pal around, but you should reveal a little about yourself. Comment on the art in the interviewer's office; talk about why you like the neighborhood; tell an anecdote.

[The Straight Story]

6. A cowboy hat

Just to follow up on what some people are saying about being remembered. I wear one all the time at work, not a big one, and it goes nice with what I wear (i used to way a more toned solid black fedora, but it was getting worn out).

What has it done for me at my job? Everyone remembers me. Even people I have not met that show up at my site know me (one lady from chicago was coming into the building and saw me out having a smoke, she walked up to me and said "You must be the site lead, they said talk to the guy with the cowboy hat"). I am usually wearing my boots and black trenchcoat (and I like it that way, comfortable to me). I didn't start dressing the way I do to be remembered, I just liked to, but the side effect has been noticable. I stand out, but not in a wild sort of threatening way. I try to be friendly as I can to all, take an interest in them and what they think about things, and that helps as well.

[Sabriel]

8. I look at them more like a conversation

It's a chance for the two of you to see if you're compatible. Try to approach it as a meeting of new acquaintances who are feeling each other out (so to speak).

[elehhhhna]

11. This works likek a charm: (I was a headhunter for years...)

Practice out loud, alone. In your car, wherever...
You know the ten or so basic questions you'll be asked so practice answering OUT LOUD (not in your head--this is very important.) You'll actually hear how you sound and you'll work up better responses--remembering things you've done that you wan to point out, etc. Not that you'll go in scripted, but your conversation will be much easier.

Second: Ask for the job(if you want it.) Don't be coy about it...if you're tied with another candidate, sincerely expressing your interest could put you over.

The objective of the first interview is to get the second interview scheduled--so ask for that!

Here's another goodie--if they ask about money, say "If you're ready to make me an offer, I'm ready to negotiate!" -- they'll change the subject asap if it's early in the interview process, or they'll start putting an offer together.