Are you Interview ready?

Some of you may be currently in the process of either looking at newer avenues in your Career or perhaps already interviewing for your next opportunity. 

While many people have a natural flair for hitting it right in the interviews however for many others interviews can be a bit intimidating. You never know what kind of person you are going to face in the interview and how you should come across. Here is the golden rule, "be your natural self". No need to be pretentious, or trying hard to put on a great show. Just be who you are, but make sure you articulate clearly what you bring to table and you do that with a blend of charm and easy going attitude. 

Some candidates struggle to break the ice in the first few minutes of the interview. Remember, time is of essence in an interview. It is not like the interviewer has unlimited time and not much going on with their work (hopefully that is not the case, otherwise you are in the wrong place:)). Hopefully you are getting interviewed for a key job and the interviewer has limited time while their mind is preoccupied with many other important things going on with their work. 

As a first, please don't assume that Interviewers are well prepared and have read your resume thoroughly. Most often they know a little about you and even if they have browsed through your resume, by the time they meet you they probably only remember your name, the role they are interviewing you for, and the last organisation you worked for. Rehearse a short summary of your experience and why you made the choices you made. It can be a great start. 

It is also safe to assume that your substitutes by which I mean other candidates probably have similar work experience to yours. So you need to make sure that during those key 45-60 minutes you clearly articulate what you bring to table and not focus much on why your experience qualifies you for the job. Don't spend more than 5 - 10 minutes on that.

Here are some things to keep in mind that will likely put you ahead of other candidates no mater who the interviewer is:

1. Smile

Please smile when you kick off your interview, whether saying the first "hi" or taking the seat and replying to the usual question "did you find the directions alright', or "hope you didn't have to wait for too long", please smile and respond like you would in any normal situation. There is so much stress out there any ways, and who knows what the interviewer went through in his/her last meeting just before the interview.

So Smile, it gets you started on the right note right away. It relaxes the Interviewer and makes them feel that they are going to have a relaxing and enjoyable conversation. Last thing you want during a busy and tiring day as a key manager is to face a serious looking and intense Interviewee.

I guess this one comes naturally to many but I just wanted to emphasise the importance of this. Take charge by setting the tone of the next hour by smiling and taking the tension away :). 

2. Energy & Passion

Keep the energy level medium to high, you don't need to be all bubbly however you also don't want to come across as low in energy, who wants to hire a low energy person. By energy I mean several things. Watch you body language, sit firm yet relaxed, don't slouch. Use hand gestures to communicate, don't overuse them but use your hands artistically to communicate what you are talking about. 

Energy can be demonstrated by being attentive, articulating your thoughts clearly, and showing interest in various things you do and why you do them the way you do. Your passion has to come out, you need to find opportunities where you can demonstrate how you pursued something with great passion. Don't hesitate to use the white board, if one is available, to lay out a plan or your thinking. This is the best thing you can do in your interview. However you need to do it in a subtle way ensuring the interviewer is comfortable. It demonstrates confidence. 

All bosses love passionate people, they know these people will care about business. Moreover, they know that while they can buy experience and good academic background, they cannot buy energy & passion.

3. Interest in the role

Interviewers love to hear from candidates that they have read the Job Description and understood the role well. Make sure you have a genuine interest in the role, don't show up just because it is a big company to interview for. Articulate your interest and keenness in the role. When was the last time you didn't like someone showing interest in the work you own. Recruiters and hiring managers are delighted when candidates have thought through the role, internalised it and show keen interest in the role. 

Don't be shy. If you are not interested then why are you there. And if you are you might as well let it known. 

4. Bring new ideas

Develop a good understanding of the role you are interviewing for. Prepare couple of new ideas that you would bring to table that would help you succeed at your new job. While you don't want to come across like "I know you business better", as that can rub the interviewer on the wrong side, you do want to make sure that you bring some deep thinking about the role to the table. Do it as if you were socialising some ideas that could help. 

Most businesses out there are trying to find new ways of competing and staying head. It is refreshing to see people who bring new ideas to table. A candidate who demonstrates the inclination to innovation and refreshed thinking is definitely going to attract attention. 

5. Attitude & collaboration

I am hoping you are willing to bring the right attitude to the new job. If you are then make sure it is known. Hiring managers most often compromise on talent but not on attitude. With the right attitude you can be a lot more valuable and they know that. Interviewers there are therefore looking for people with great attitude, they want people who are willing to do whatever it takes to do the job. They are looking for commitment, and increasingly collaboration. People who can work with other peer groups and stakeholders. 

You may want to demonstrate the two through some examples from your past. Wait for the right opportunity in the conversation and make sure you do touch upon the Attitude & Collaboration even if you are not doing it directly but in context of discussion around other issues you may be discussing. 

6. Research the company

This is the single most important elements that can demonstrate that you are serious, interested, have passion, and your approach is right. Do enough research about the company on internet, go to the market to touch and feel their products or experience the service the company provides if it is in the service industry. Have an opinion on what is working and what is not.

When researching go through the company financials in details if you can. When you bring that up subtly in interview conversation you come across as someone who is financially savvy and prudent. Someone who will look at all aspects of business. Your research also indicates that you do your homework around what you are pursuing and that you take things seriously.

Please don't show up in the interview with very little knowledge on what is going on with the company you are interviewing for. It shows a very casual approach and can leave the interviewer disappointed. 

 7. Whatever you do or say, be genuine

My last recommendation is something that I believe can make or break the interview. Make sure you are honest and straightforward. The worst thing to happen is to project a certain trait and then it doesn't really come out in your other responses or overall discussion.

In the end the interviewer or hiring managers are assimilating an overall impression of you while delving bit deeply into specifics on some of the things. You have to assume that most people out there are wanting to hire honest and genuine people.   

A successful interview in my mind is whether or not you were able to develop a chemistry with the interviewer. That is what matters. In the end people work with people and achieve results together. The personal chemistry that you can develop will leave a lasting impression on the minds of the interviewers and distinguish you from other candidates.