Interviewing For The Right Position With The Right Company

Doug Sexton

Lonski and Associates

Powersports, Motorcycles, Marine, RV and Outdoor Recreation Industries Recruiting and Consultation

www.HenryLonski.com

[email protected]

O: 614-505-6012

It is unlikely that if you are interviewing for a new position these days you’re doing so just to land a “job”. Business is good and the Marine Industry remains strong. Good employees can find a “job” just about anywhere. But if we’re talking you’re probably looking to learn and grow within your career. Making moves today usually are a result of wanting to continue to build your career. 

Ultimately you want to find the right position with the right company and the employer wants to have the right candidate in the role.

Too many times I have seen very well qualified candidates go in to an interview with the wrong mindset and the wrong expectations. None of us are professional interviewees. Interviewing can be nerve-wracking and exhausting. By adjusting your mindset before a phone or in-person interview the time spent will be more productive for you and the prospective employer. So here are some tips to make the most of these interviews.

1 – “You be you”- This is an opportunity for you to show yourself and who you really are. The last thing you want to do is try to become someone they think you want to be. Relax, be yourself and approach these meetings as conversations between parties that can bring a true benefit to one another. 

2 – Preparation - Many times candidates simply aren’t prepared. Simplify your approach when talking about your background and experience. You have the skills and experience on paper otherwise the employer would not be spending their valuable time with you. When talking about your background stick to the work, what you were able to accomplish for your past employers and how it relates to what the prospective employer needs. You have a world of information at your fingertips. Take the time to research not only the company but what competitors are doing. Is there anything you can see that this company is not doing or not doing well where you can make improvements? Research trade publications and the backgrounds of the individuals that you will be meeting with.

3 - Be transparent – When it comes to the issue of compensation don’t beat around the bush and try to convey to the prospective employer you’re making more than you are. If they ask how much you are making do yourself a favor and explain how your compensation program currently works. Any employer worth working for isn’t going to try to get you for as little as possible. If they do, and you accept the position you’ll probably be looking for a higher paying job in the very near future. The worst thing you can do is be vague or provide outright false numbers. I have seen many opinions that encourage candidates to be vague or outright avoid these questions. Nothing can be more frustrating for the potential employer to weed through. If there is vagueness around this subject it may be a reason an employer may not continue the process with a candidate. A good employer will pay you what you’re worth!

4 – The fit - This has to be a fit for both the employer and the candidate. Come with QUESTIONS, but not focused on “how many vacation days do I get”, or “do I get a company provided demo boat”. This should be a discussion that is focused first and foremost on what the current situation is at the prospective employer. Ask questions about the biggest challenges they face and how this role can positively impact these. What are the priorities that need to be addressed the quickest? If this is an opportunity to replace someone that has been in this position before where were they falling short? What were they doing well? Get a better, and more full understanding of what is expected and what you’re getting in to. Bottom line, if you show you give a S!#T it will come across. Those employers that see they potentially have a candidate that really will dig in, be a true part of the team and care, will stand out from the others that are just looking for a “job”. 

5 – Beginning, middle and end – Every discussion, every meeting and every interview has a beginning, middle and end. Try to understand at the outset if you have 30 minutes, 3 hours or all day. Understanding this will help your mindset throughout the day. 

Be prepared to truly introduce yourself at the beginning. This doesn’t mean – “I’m Bill The Boat Builder Guy, nice to meet you”. If they are giving you an opportunity to introduce yourself have a plan and do so. It could be as simple as talking a little bit about yourself, and what brought you to this interview. “I’ve known about and respected this company for a long time”, or “I’ve talked with the recruiter and after discussing this opportunity with her it sounded like I really needed to get in here to talk with you about everything you have going on”, or even “I haven’t been looking for another opportunity until someone told me what your company is doing”. Why is it you do what you do on a daily basis? Finally, introducing yourself doesn’t have to be about talking about where you grew up or how many siblings you have, but the employer has a culture and they’re sincerely trying to understand what makes you tick. This is a great chance to let them know!

The middle will be the bulk of the interview. How is it that you can bring value to the organization? If the company is going through the time and expense of doing a good job with their recruiting efforts they are serious about their employees, the culture, the morale and everything that goes in to growing their organization. This isn’t time for you to simply answer questions. That’s how interviews were conducted in the 70s and 80s. You MUST have a list of questions, comments and anything else that comes to mind WRITTEN DOWN and in front of you during the meeting. Show some curiosity, show some knowledge of the industry beyond the job and show you give a S!#T!  This absolutely must be a two-way dialogue and you’re responsible for at least ? of it!

When wrapping up the interview and coming to the end what’s your plan? Let’s assume the interview went well. It’s time for the interviewer to get to another meeting or head on to the next candidate. What are you planning to do? References need to be prepared and on a separate sheet of paper from your resume. Express gratitude and sincerity in wanting to continue the conversation.   If there is a chance to set up a subsequent meeting or a face to face maybe you can work toward that and even schedule it. If they want to “get back to you”, then provide them with your list of references, your card and any other contact information you have. Please also get their card or contact information as well. End the meeting assuming you will be talking again very soon.

Before you leave your desk (if doing a phone or web meeting), the parking lot or even their zip code take the time to write a follow up thank you email. It’s 2019; there is no reason that your follow up e-mail shouldn’t be in their inbox within 1 hour. No templates, no quick one line thank you here. Take the time, put an email together and tell this person how you thought the meeting went, what interests you, how you can be a positive contributor to the organization and express gratitude for their valuable time. 

Opinions vary on how to handle interviews, but I can tell you with confidence that if you follow these steps you are going to have a positive and productive interview and greatly enhance the chance that you will land a great job with a great company.