So you want to make an impression on you next interview, read to find our how to do this by not being like everyone else.
It wasn't until I owned my business, that I realized just how passive people are with job interviews. Most of my experience is with people that show up with nothing to say, not really sure of what they can do, just fishing around to see if something will happen, or no motive or initiative. Opening a business really made me form a new respect for someone that has to weed through possible employees all day every day. It can be quite stressful. On an interview, keep this in mind, you are only one on a long list of people that have shown up and have had to be babysat through the interview process. By the time you get there, it is quite possible the person you are interviewing with is really tired of meeting with anyone who is just like everyone else.
Here are 10 ways to make the interview more successful by establishing you are different, starting from when you show up to when you leave.
- Be there 10 minutes early!
You would not believe the people that make appointments that are late or do not show up at all. Your interviewer has planned their day around you and you should do the same for them.
- Dress to impress!
You would think this is a given, but you would be wrong. Fix your hair, do not wear blue jeans, tuck your shirt in, wear nice shoes, (women) do not wear low cut shirts or a skirt that is inappropriate. It doesn't matter what you may think is appropriate for the job you are interviewing, you cannot go wrong with being dressed up. On the other hand, you can go wrong with having not dressed enough. Another point, a person who does not care what they look like might be classified as a person without pride in themselves, or their work.
3. Do not show up empty handed!
This will make a big first impression. Bring a small box of candy, cookies, something cheap and not too extravagant to let the person know you appreciate their time. I am certain no one else has done this, so imagine how much you will stand out.
4. Shake hands immediately.
Do not wait for them to offer a handshake, assume they want to, and make the first move.
5. Take the lead!
Do not wait for them to ask how are you doing, where are you from or any small talk, take the lead. Give one or two minutes of small talk like, What is your name? Where are you from? What did you do in the past? Let the person know you are interested in them, and they will be interested in you.
6. Tell them your purpose for being there!
Keep the small talk to 1 or 2 minutes at the most, get to business right away. You will have plenty of time to get to know each other when you have the job.
Write down and remember a short script that states your purpose. Example; (After small talk has extinguished) Well this is why I am here, I am not here to waste your time so lets get down to business, I am a responsible, hardworking person, who is not afraid of a challenge, I am good with........ You don't have to spell out your whole job history or life story just a short in just 10 to 20 second speech that lets the person know you mean business. This could also be a story about how you arrived where you are today and what brought you to the place you are interviewing? Tell the person what you have done to be there, any hardship or preparation that you went through to get there.
Now the fun begins!!!
7. Do not wait to be asked anything, ask your own questions!
I do not mean don't let the person talk, if they ask you a question answer. I am talking about when there is any pause in the flow of conversation. If they ask questions, answer their's and respond with another. Maintain the lead, sell yourself, do not make the interviewer have to sell yourself for yourself.
Good questions are ones that a person can answer quickly and feel good about having answered.
Examples
- How do you like working here?
- What would be my main duties when I come to work here? Always assume you already have the job, if you believe it the other person will to.
- How much will I get paid?
- What are the hours, days?
- Do employees get vacation, sick pay, bonuses.
After each question, sit and listen. People love to talk about things they know, so for you to listen is a compliment to them.Normal questions that are easy to answer will make the person interviewing you feel good about being able to come through and will associate that feeling with you.
If you are brave, and REALLY want to make an impression that will stick, ask a few off the wall questions that will throw the person off just a little.
Ones like:
- What is the best thing about working here?
- Why do you think I would be a good fit here?
- Why do you think I should work here?
- Can you tell me three things about this place that would make me want to work here?
Do not base your interview on hard questions (like the one listed above), just throw is one or two in the normal flow of conversation. You may think I am crazy, but this works. It will be the first time any one arrived and asked questions like this, so you have now distinguished yourself and they will become curious and intrigued.
8. Don't forget to keep your eyes on their eyes! (Maintain eye contact)
You don't have to stare at the person. It's is perfectly normal to look away in normal conversation, but shows confidence and certainty when you you keep your eyes on theirs while talking. This is actually a big deal, so as they would say in the eighties, check yo-self before you wreck yo-self...:> Now back to being Serious; before you go to an interview, practice with another person in any conversation you come into contact with, really pay attention to what you do with your eyes. Are they shifty? Do you maintain contact or do you look away while talking?
9. Ask them if they have any questions!
When things are wrapping up, ask them for any questions they may have about you. Lead them to ask a few if you have to. Make the person feel like they are in control, even though you have pretty much controlled the entire meeting.
10 Have a plan.
Show the person you have a plan, tell them why you are there, what you want, how much you want to make, your goals in life and how you want to accomplish them, and most of all, what will you do that will make their life easier, than anyone else they have interviewed. Tell the person how you will work for them, or what you plan to do to finish the work you will be asked to do. Will you be more efficient, save them money, or will you be easy to work with? Anything you put out there matters, because it shows initiative on your part.
11. Ask for the job
Yes this is eleven, you get one free. This is so important and overlooked I couldn't leave it out. Ask for the job, do not leave unless you ask, "CAN I HAVE THIS JOB?" This is often overlooked by people that are just looking to see what will happen if they show up. Make it as easy as possible for your interviewer to give you the job, let them know you are interested. If they blow you off, ask why would they not give it to you, what is the problem? Why are they unsure? What can you do to change their mind.
You must realize, this is the difference between successful people and the ones that just live life, successful people ask for what they want and believe they will get it!!
I promise you, if you take any of these steps into a job interview, and present it with confidence, you will be above 90% of the floaters that have passed through the office before you. You will make a positive impression and be remembered.
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Thanks
Mark Babineaux
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