Maximize your Interview: 2022 Edition

As we enter 2022, the process of executive search and interviewing continues to evolve. The candidate is empowered.??You are in control of what you get out of an interview, and a good result is not exclusively a job offer.??Though the course of an interview process, we can learn more about ourselves, our interests, our strengths, and the marketplace we serve.??

To maximize this experience, preparation is key, regardless of whether one is tapped on the shoulder to discuss an opportunity while gainfully employed, or are currently active.??You are investing time, your most valuable resource.??Today I share a few thoughts to maximize the interview experience.?

DILIGENCE STARTS WITH YOU

If you have not been proactively strategizing your career to date, start now.??An individual maximizes the interview experience when they have had the appropriate homework in advance.??Review advice in?your?your most important meeting . Proactive career management starts with reflection, goal setting, and execution on a consistent basis. Stay close to specifics around your compensation and benefits. This fundamental activity will have you more prepared to act on an opportunity quickly should one arise.

RESEARCH THE OPPORTUNITY

An opportunity has piqued your interest. Set aside time to dig in and investigate.??Our team recommends focus in the “Four Pillars”- The Product (or Service), the Marketplace, the Leadership, and the Mission.??Online tools should not be limited to a company website.??Research team members and past work, taking notes on what you find interesting, exciting, questionable, or otherwise.??This process will have you weigh further to the opportunity, as well as prompt valuable questions for your meeting.?

UNDERSTAND THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

By the time you are scheduling your first interview, you should have an understanding of the stakeholders in the position and the process.??If you do not know, ask the recruiter or hiring professional that is managing the itinerary.??

Some questions to pose:?

• Who are the key stakeholders in the position???What part will they play in the interview process?
• Are there key challenges we are looking to solve with this hire that I can be prepared to speak to in these meetings?
• Where are you in search process???What is expected timeline to complete meetings and make a decision?
• Is there a presentation expected at any stage of our meetings???If so, is there any template you can provide so I can start thinking about the most important information to share?

The more you understand about the interview process you are entering, the better you can plan accordingly for each step.

INTERVIEWS VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE

As videoconferencing becomes a regular part of our daily workplace diet, it is not unusual to have individuals take these meetings with a more casual, relaxed stance than may have in an onsite interview.??I encourage you to remember that your interview with the potential employer is the only time you can make a strong first impression.??Give yourself time to prepare, check your background and surroundings, negate potential distractions, and take it seriously.??Although a full business suit is not necessary, dress appropriately.??The goal of this meeting is that you have the opportunity to evaluate further, and you will not be given that chance if you do not come across as sincerely interested in the opportunity.??

HAVE QUESTIONS READY

If you are given the opportunity to lead the initial conversation, start here.?

“Thanks for the opportunity to meet today, Ms. Interview.?I am impressed by what I have heard so far about the company and the opportunity. As you think about this role, what do you see firsthand as the primary reason we need this function on the team?"

If you ask this question to each person on your interview itinerary, you will likely get different answers. This data allows you to frame your qualifications around the most important topics to?each. Be mindful of time, you need to use the 30–60-minute discussion to address topics of priority to the person in front of you.

Ask questions that have a positive connotation and leave out others for now.?Use “we” not “you”; put yourself on the team.?

• “What are our greatest challenges in this role for the first 30 days?”?
• "How can we best work together?"
• "What is your preferred cadence for syncs on our existing priorities?"

Logically, this is not the time to ask about compensation, vacation, time off, or flex time, unless the interviewer brings it up first. If so, state where you are as specifically as possible.

PREPARE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

There are a few questions you should assume you will be asked:

Why are you interested in us??

What research have you done on us thus far?

What do you consider your greatest career accomplishment??

Describe a career obstacle and how did you get through it??

What will team members who have worked with you say about you?

Give me an example of how, where, what, or what in regarding your experience and what we are looking to accomplish.?

Behavioral based interviewing is a common interview style,?here ?are some expanded examples.

CLOSE THE MEETING

The person interviewing you wants to know you are interested. Confirm this as you close the meeting. In the simplest form, “Tom, I have really enjoyed my time with you.?This appears to be an opportunity where I can make a difference.?Is there anything else I can share about my background that will make you confident in my candidacy for this role?”??Or, “Thank you for a very good day with you and your team.?Before I leave, I just want to let you know how confident I am that I could be successful in the role and how much I would enjoy working with the team.?What are the next steps?”??

FOLLOW UP

Cordial follow up is becoming a lost art.??If you are serious about a potential opportunity, send an email to that effect after each step in your process, to each interviewee.??You can include additional information, examples of work or articles you discussed in your call, but at minimum, thank him/her for the time they spent with you.??The client notices those who follow up and those who do not, and interest is questioned without it.

Additional detail suggestions per specialty:

• Sales:??Documentation associated with achievements
• Engineering/R&D:??Images of products you have designed, anything non-proprietary that can stimulate discussion
• Creative:??Digital portfolio of your work, recognition, or accolades
• Quality:??Writing samples/documentation skills, notation validating outcomes
• Regulatory:??An outline of product approvals and the role you played in the success
• Clinical:??An addendum list of trials, enrollment size, and the result
• Business development:??Deal sheet- M&A activity- involvement and in what capacity?
• Marketing:??a draft business plan on how you would address the market challenge with information you have researched or has been shared
• C-Suite:??The top three experiences have primed you for this opportunity- successes, scale and timelines, deals, growth numbers, team development, and obstacles
• Finance: The magic phrase is “On time and under budget”.??Has your responsibility resulted in positive outcomes in this area???
• Other:??Note the challenge at hand, and what experiences you have had that best set you up to be successful?

The interview process is a phenomenal way for you to review your experiences, accomplishments and challenges, allowing you to think more broadly of the direction you would like to take your career. You are in control of what you get out of an interview, and a good result is not exclusively a job offer.??Though the course of an interview process, we can learn more about ourselves, our interests, our strengths, and the marketplace we serve.??This could be the first step to a dream career opportunity, the beginning of relationships that could lead elsewhere over time, and a point of self reflection that gives you clarity. Maximize your interview process and reap the benefits.