Interviewing Techniques For BrainTrust, Inc.
Congratulations! You have lined up an interview....and now what? They key to interview success is preparation. Preparation will calm your nerves, make the conversation go more smoothly and allow the best possible you to shine through.
There is no one-size fits all approach to interviewing. Every candidate, company and work situation is unique and each will have its own set of considerations. Bearing that in mind, we have compiled some thoughts on the interview process that make sense across most situations. We hope you find this a useful start to your preparation process. If you have further questions (how to handle a phone interview, for example), look to the footnotes for source information and our list below with resources for more in depth information. And good luck!
Before The Interview [1]:
- Research the company. Review annual reports, brochures or other company literature you can find to better understand the company, its product and its competition.
- Review your resume with this in mind. Anticipate questions you may be asked in the interview. Sketch out possible responses relating to this company's business. Focus on advantages this particular employer will gain by hiring you.
- Collect references. Make a list of 5 or 6 people who might agree to provide you with references if you are asked. This list might be former supervisors, teachers, and volunteer committee heads - anyone whose opinion employers will consider credible and objective. Call the people on your list, ask them if they will serve as references, then compile the names, titles and contact information of those that agree.
- What to wear. The safest first impression is a professional one. Even if the company is casual, wear a suit if you own one. If not, a conservative dress or skirt and blouse for a woman or nice pants and pressed shirt for men. Don't give the interviewer a reason to discount you before you even say hello.
- What to take. Pencil and pen, business cards if you have them, contact card with references, and several copies of your resume.
The Interview:
- The goal. The goal in an interview is to present yourself as a serious, smart person who is willing to work hard to succeed in this role. "You're energetic, easy to work with, and can be both a leader and a team member, depending on what the situation calls for. It's that simple."[2]
- Focus on accomplishments. Don't just enumerate your responsibilities or qualifications. Wherever possible, point to specific accomplishments. Provide qualitative information about the benefits your efforts brought. For example, "This increased company profits by 10 percent over a one year period."[1]
- Humbly toot your own horn. A great way to highlight your skills while maintaining a sense of humility is to say, "My supervisors have told me I am very good at..." or "My clients will tell you that I..."[1]
- Help steer the interview. Many interviewers are not entirely comfortable with the role, or are not very used to the process. They might spend the entire time talking about the position and not asking you questions. It might be up to you to help keep the conversation focused on how your skills can fit the company's needs.[1]
- Explain career gaps. If you have been out of the workforce for a period of time you will have to address that. You will have to convince the interviewer that this does not mean your skills are less than admirable. Position the career gap as a decision. Focus on accomplishments and skills used during the gap. Emphasize professional affiliations.[1]
After The Interview:
- "When the interviewer is finished tossing questions to you, it is your turn. Ask the interviewer to describe an average day, to tell you about specific skills required. Listen carefully and try to point out later in the conversation that you possess some of these same skills. Ask about the last person who held this job. Where did he or she go? It can help you ascertain a career track from that position - or lack of one. You might ask about other staffers or clients whom you will interact with daily or weekly. This is not the time to ask about salary or vacation benefits. Save that for the second interview. Before you leave, inquire about the next step in the process and when you can expect to hear back. And finally, remember what Mom taught you: Write a thank-you note."[2] If you were able to arrange the interview because of an introduction from a friend or colleague, write that person a note as well.[1]
- Evaluate the interview. What went well? What could you have done better? The idea here is to learn from experience and continually improve your interviewing skills.[1]
- Study your resume. Did the interviewer have any questions about information on your resume - questions that could be clarified by a slight rewrite? Did you find your self mentioning important accomplishments or skills that you neglected to put on your resume? If so, revise accordingly.[1]
- Follow Up. The hiring process can be slow. Don't assume no news is bad news. Ideally, you made a point to ask when the hiring decision would be made in your interview. If you have not heard about the job by then, follow up with a phone call to inquire about the status of the position. If it is still open, take the opportunity to remind the employer of your interest and qualifications. Don't, however, over pursue them. If they are not ready to hire, they are not ready.[1]
For more information and specific instructions, here are some good resources:
Resumes That Knock 'Em Dead, Martin Yate. Adams Media Corporation, MA, 2001.
The Smart Women's Guide to Resumes and Job Hunting, Julie Adair King and Betsy Sheldon. The Career Press, New Jersey, 1991.
Going Back To Work: A Survival Guide For Comeback Moms, Mary W. Quigley and Loretta E. Kaufman. St. Martin's Griffin, New York, 2004.
