Want a great in-person interview with your next employer?  These tips will get you started

​

research the company

there’s no shortage of resources that can help you discover more about the company you’re interviewing with.  We suggest going beyond what’s on the internet to really discover the inner workings of a potential employer.  Use social media to connect with employees of the organization and get the inside track on what’s really going on.  Connect with former employees of the organization or current and former co-workers of your future boss.  Try to get an understanding of the company’s values and how you can be a part of helping the employer achieve those values.  Discover the employer’s management style.  You might be surprised at just how much your research may come in handy during an interview.

​

memorize your accomplishments

this is one of the most important things you can do to get yourself a great job offer.  Why?  Because you're helping the employer discover the best part of your background.  Remember, the employer is trying to discover if you’re the best person for the job – help him/her do that by knowing your accomplishments inside and out, quantifying them, and then expressing your accomplishments during an interview.  A great way to practice is to pick one interview question, then answer it using two or three separate accomplishments (for that same question).  It’s great practice and it will teach you how to improvise during an interview while still giving the employer the most marketable information about your background.  Don’t forget: the employer wants to be sold on you – that’s why you’re there.  Don’t be afraid to brag about all the great things you’ve done.  Memorize those accomplishments - you won't regret it.

 

have an agenda

an interview is a two-way conversation, for sure.  But an interviewer has his/her agenda, and so should you.  Before an interview takes place, you should know your best attributes, your greatest accomplishments and your strongest skills.  You should know exactly why you think you can help the company achieve its values, solve its problems and accomplish its vision for the future.  Be able to articulate (very clearly) to an employer why they should hire you.  Know these things ahead of time and make it your mission to communicate your agenda items during the interview.  If you cannot, then use a post-interview thank-you letter to do the same.

​

understand the employer’s values

every employer is pursuing a value (profits, projects to be completed, goals, etc.).  The only question is: what value?  To find the answer to that question, just ask the employer as early into the interview as you can.  Once you understand what problem they’re trying to solve or goal they’re trying to reach, or vision they want realized, the better able you are to shape your answers so they reflect how you’re the best person to help achieve those values.  Knowing the employer's values eliminates the need for you to guess what they are.  Then you can answer interview questions more effectively, because your answers will reflect the real problems the employer is trying to solve.  Tell the employer how you would achieve those values, or how you have achieved those same values for your past employers.  And remember to quantify your answers whenever possible.  The following are examples of questions you can ask an employer early (or at any time) in the interview, to help you understand their values:

• What specific objectives would you want accomplished within the first 3, 6 & 12 months of my employment with you?

• Let’s say it’s a year from now and we’re both looking back on the past year.  What would you like to see accomplished for you to say that I’ve had a very successful year?

•  If I started this job tomorrow, what would be the two most pressing priorities?

• Is there a specific problem your trying to solve or project you want to see accomplished by the person you hire for this position?

​​

arrive early

always arrive between 15-20 minutes before the interview.  No earlier and no later.  Take this opportunity to relax.  Take your mind off the interview by reading a magazine or visiting the restroom if you need to freshen up. 

​

politely say no to any offer of hospitality

hydrate yourself before the interview but remember not to drink too much.  Politely decline any offers of food or beverages.  Too many unscheduled visits to the restroom can leave a poor impression to say the least.  If the receptionist offers to take your coat, take him/her up on the offer.  Otherwise, just ask where you could leave your jacket.

​

be in the moment

the biggest complaint people have of interviews is nervousness.  Nervousness generally happens when you have too much time to think, or your mind starts to wander during the interview.  When this happens, shift your focus back on the interviewer.  Bring all of your attention back to him/her, and on what the interviewer is saying or asking.  Remember, your mind finds it difficult to concentrate on two things at once.  Focusing on one thing (the employer) will go a long way to calming your nerves.

​

be prepared to answer the “big” questions

there are a thousand and one questions that can be asked during the interview.  But every question is really just a variation of the all important question: “Why should we hire you?”  That’s right.  Almost all interview questions are just another form of asking you why they should hire you and nobody else.  So, whenever you hear a question from an employer, (i.e. tell me about yourself?) rephrase the question so that it reads “why should I hire you, and not the other person(s) I’m interviewing?”  The better you answer that question, the more likely you are to get a job offer.  Other important questions include:

• Take me through your resume.

• Tell me about yourself?

• Why do you want to work for our company?

• Why are you leaving your current employer?

• Tell me about your most important accomplishments?

• Describe your strengths/weaknesses?

• What can you do for us that someone else cannot?

• What do you know about our company?

• How fast do you think you can start making a contribution?

• What was your biggest failure?

​

compensation

whenever possible, do not discuss salary during the interview.  There are many reasons why this is true, least of which is that you do not want the employer to disqualify you because of your salary expectations (too high or too low).  Also, no employer wants to hire someone whose only motivation is money.  If the employer asks you about salary expectations, let the employer know that salary is not your main consideration – that your main objective is to work in a great environment, working on great products with great people.  If the employer insists on discussing salary, you might consider saying “I’d need to know more about the job before I could give you a definite answer, but I’m sure if you were to make an offer it would be a competitive one."  If all else fails and the employer still probes, simply state your current salary and, as above, mention that you would be open to an offer that was competitive.

​

after the interview

remember to follow-up with the employer after the interview.  Send a thank-you note the same day, or no later than the next day.  Take the time to reinforce your strongest attributes for the job and how you think you can help the employer achieve their most important values.  Also, use the thank-you letter to discuss points you forgot to mention during the interview.  Download our thank-you letter template here.

​

 

We hope you found this introduction useful, but don't stop here.  Take it to the next level by doing more research on your next employer, your next boss, and your next interview.  If you don't do it, your competition might.