In my lifetime of interviewing candidates, only a handful have been truly memorable. Some stand out for all the wrong reasons – think hurled f-bombs, tears, inappropriate jokes, and even one person who took a phone call during our meeting. Then there were the exceptional few who knocked it out of the park. The majority, however, fell into a mixed bag. They were okay, but they didn’t ignite any excitement in me to champion them to the hiring manager. I often found myself waiting to see how other candidates fared before making a decision.
We all generally know the interview no-nos: don’t be late, don’t badmouth current or former employers, keep the language clean, dress appropriately (save the park attire and club wear for their respective places), and for goodness sake, know who you’re interviewing with – it’s Globex Corporation, not ACME Inc.! These are the basics.
But what elevates an interview from mediocre to magnificent?
Well, my friend, you’re about to discover the secrets.
1. Radiate Enthusiasm
Consider this: your qualifications might open the door, but your attitude will usher you right through it.
I understand that interviews can be nerve-wracking, but it’s crucial to find your calm and loosen up (without any liquid courage). Offer a firm, enthusiastic handshake, smile genuinely and laugh when appropriate, maintain consistent eye contact, be attentive, show authentic interest in the company, and ask thoughtful questions. These actions collectively demonstrate your genuine enthusiasm for being there.
Think about the interviewer on the other side of the table. How comfortable do you imagine they feel if you’re scowling, fidgeting, or constantly glancing out the window while answering their questions? What if they attempt a lighthearted joke and are met with a mere half-smile, or worse, you’re so preoccupied with formulating your next response that you completely miss it? Will they likely be impressed?
While your answers are undoubtedly important, demonstrating your positive engagement in the conversation is equally crucial.
2. Craft Stories, Don't Just Recite Facts
Throughout my years in recruitment, the most impactful interviews have been with individuals who didn’t just list their job responsibilities; they narrated their experiences. You don’t need to recount an epic saga for every question, but offering the interviewer perspective on a few significant accomplishments from your previous roles can be powerful. This could be a problem you successfully resolved, a project you spearheaded, or a valuable lesson you learned from a particular experience. Describe the context leading up to your story, your actions, and the resulting outcome. Weave in relevant details about colleagues involved, inject humor where appropriate, and voilà, you have an engaging narrative.
While storytelling is powerful, exercise caution with negative examples unless you can pivot them towards a positive resolution. Otherwise, you risk being associated with negativity, and your aim is to present yourself in the most favorable light.
3. Cultivate the Right Mindset
Approach interviews with optimism and a strong belief in your abilities. Let go of past interviews that didn’t go as planned. Leave previous missteps behind you. Don’t allow anxiety and the fear of saying the wrong thing to dominate your thoughts. The moment you let those worries creep in, you’ll inevitably tense up and your performance will likely suffer. It can quickly become a downward spiral.
I know what you might be thinking: “That’s easier said than done, Brian.” Fair enough. But consider these perspectives on your next interview; they might help you reframe your thinking:
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“History doesn’t perfectly repeat itself.” You’ve likely heard the adage, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” There’s some truth to that – learning from past mistakes is vital. However, given our constantly evolving world, you’ll never encounter an identical situation. Even if a previous interview went poorly, this time you have a different interviewer, it’s for a different role, the questions will vary, and the hiring manager will have their own unique criteria. Just because one interview bombed doesn’t guarantee a repeat performance.
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“Countless ordinary people have interviewed and landed desired jobs. I can too.” Consider the immense popularity of the “Dummies Guide to…” book series. This alone suggests that many average individuals go through interviews and successfully secure employment. Shifting your perspective to this framework can be empowering. If someone with average abilities can navigate this hurdle, why can’t you?
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“This single interview isn’t the be-all and end-all.” The outcome of this one interview won’t determine the course of your entire life. Even if this particular opportunity doesn’t materialize, you’ve likely applied to other positions, and eventually, one will be the right fit. Give your best effort in each interview, but avoid dwelling on the outcome every time you walk into one. You will have future opportunities. In the grand scheme, this hour or so is relatively insignificant.
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“I’ll get the job if it’s meant to be.” Recognize that you only have so much control. Prepare diligently by researching the company and identifying how your skills can benefit them. Practice your responses and prepare insightful questions. However, acknowledge that despite your best efforts, many factors are beyond your control. Their hiring needs and the qualifications of other candidates play a significant role. Don’t take it personally if your unique blend of knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience doesn’t align with their current requirements. Move on. It simply wasn’t the right match at this time.
4. Remember, You're Evaluating Them Too
Finally, remember that just because a company is interviewing you doesn’t automatically mean you’ll want to work there. I’ve been on numerous job interviews where, after speaking with the manager, I quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. Their answers to my questions revealed a mismatch in expectations or work style. I politely thanked them for their time, knowing that even if offered the position, I would decline.
What types of questions can help you determine if a job and company are right for you? Inquire about the daily responsibilities, the management style, the company culture and core values, potential career paths within the organization, communication preferences, and so on.
Your objective is to ensure they are the right fit for you just as much as their objective is to ensure you’re the right fit for them.
Chances are, if you have some work experience, you’ve begun to identify what you don’t want in a job or company. Make a list of these “Don’t Wants” – it will simplify your selection process. Then, create a list of your “Do Wants.” When you encounter an opportunity that avoids everything on your “Don’t Want” list and includes at least a few items from your “Do Want” list, you know it has potential.
And, if you implement the advice I’ve just shared, you’ll likely have multiple promising options to choose from.