How to nail your interview from the start

Stop me if this sounds familiar.

You walk out of an interview and feel you nailed it.  Fist pumping.  You’re excited!

Then a few days later you get that phone call (or email) saying “thanks but no thanks”.  Reality sets in and the job is gone.  That door is closed.

Frustrating right?  You’ve invested time and it didn’t work out.  You’re the perfect fit – how could they not see it?

The thing is - you’re not alone. Many others are in the same boat.

Tired of feeling frustrated?  Then why leave your fate up to chance?

Think about it.  In a competitive job market, it's common for employers to receive HUNDREDS of applications for a single job opening, which is then cut down to a manageable list for initial interviews.

If there are 40 candidates interviewing, your odds of getting a job offer are 2.5%.

There are so many interview techniques, that I can’t possibly cover everything in one newsletter.

So today we’re going to look at one very important technique to help you nail it from the beginning - Ideal Candidate.

The First Question

What’s the first question interviewers typically ask?

Tell me about yourself.

If you’re going to nail one question in an interview, this is it. 

It’s asked for 3 reasons:

-              break the ice

-              get the conversation started

-              help the interviewer form (or reinforce) an initial opinion about you

When you walk into an interview, the interviewer already thinks you can probably do the job.  That’s why you’re there.  Your answers help to confirm that opinion and position you against other candidates.

Don’t be bland

Candidates usually give a bland answer, stating their niche (“I’m a sales expert”), experience (“I have 15 years of sales experience …”), and education. 

The problem?  You have no idea if you’re saying what the interviewer wants to hear.  And you’re going to sound like everyone else.

Let’s dig deep and understand what goes on behind the scenes and the psychology so that you can control the conversation and position yourself as a top candidate.

The Psychology

There are usually a few people involved in a search, depending on company size and role: HR, the hiring manager, peers, direct reports, executive and possibly an outside recruiter like myself.

Here’s an analogy.  Let’s say you walk into a clothing store.  How many different shirt styles and colours do you see?  That’s because everyone has different taste.  Some people like conservative styles.  Others like colourful.  And styles are different.  The bottom line is that they’re all shirts.

My point?

While there’s a job description (JD), each interviewer has different “taste” as to what (s)he thinks an ideal candidate looks like. 

How to answer the question

Your goal is to figure out what each person is looking for.  Yes, each person.

So how do you do that?

Ask.

This sounds like “Jason, it’s great to meet you and I really appreciate your time.  I read the job description, but I’m wondering from your perspective, what does YOUR ideal candidate look like?”

The interviewer hopefully answers this by providing a brief list of skills/experience/needs that are important such as:

• I need someone who can hit the ground running.  I’m swamped and can’t handhold.
• There are a lot of different personalities here, so someone who is tactful, friendly, and persuasive is important to me.
• My team struggles with converting prospects to clients, so I need a strong closer.

 Then you need to provide stories that align with the interviewer’s list.  If you answer her needs, you’ll be gold.

Conclusion

This approach is about tailoring your answers to the interviewer, so that you shine bright and make the interviewer feel that you’re solving his/her problem.  Remember, the interview is about how you are the best person to solve the hiring manager's problem(s).

I want to end with 2 very important points: learn and stay positive.

Learn from Every Experience

Whether you receive a job offer or not, every interview is a learning opportunity.  Ask for feedback (if possible) and reflect on your performance.  Use these insights to refine your approach. These are important elements of a successful job search.

Stay Persistent and Positive

Job searching is challenging and sometimes discouraging.  Just like actors get many “takes” to act out a scene, you may not get it right each time.  Never forget to maintain a positive mindset and be persistent.  You are responsible for your career.  Being positive helps keep you persistent AND makes you likeable in an interview.

I hope this interview tip helps empower you with confidence and success to navigate the job market like a pro.

Best of luck in your job search journey!

Shameless plug

Need interviewing help or know someone who does?  I offer affordable, 30-minute "snack-sized" help on interviewing, job search, leadership, and building an impactful resume.  Let's start with a free 15-min consultation.

Photo credit: PeopleImages, Getty Images/iStockphoto