Preparing for an Interview?

Tips from a Recruiter That Will Help You Get a Job Offer

Having recruited in the oil and gas industry since 1995, I have prepared countless number of people for interviews.  Experience has shown, that for the most part, most people don't interview very well, mainly because on average, people may only interview a couple of times every 4 or 5 years. So when it comes to interviewing, most people are not prepared…they wing it.

My job is to help people prepare for the interview so that they "outshine" their competition.  That's why, over the years, I have developed 7 tips on how to best prepare. Mostly, these tips are “no brainers” but if you follow what I am about to share with you, you will be better prepared than the majority of people that you are interviewing against.

Tip # 1
So Tell Me About Yourself

Almost every interview will start off with this seemingly simple question. How you answer it could affect the course of the entire interview. When asked the question, “So tell me about yourself.” most people regurgitate their resume and their life history. They talk about where they grew up, where they went to school, and places they have worked. Very little is accomplished by this type of response.  It's very easy to do but don't fall into this trap.

Instead, I believe this question gives you the perfect opportunity to “take control” of the interview and start selling yourself with your qualifications. In other words, you begin the process by answering the most important question of all, “Why should I hire you?”

Do your research. Think about the position that you are interviewing for and then answer this question with your qualifications that will fit their needs.

Tip # 2
Ask Probing Questions

You are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you which is why you should ask probing questions.  Dig deeper into why the company is filling this position.  Are they growing or are they replacing?  A great question to ask is, “What is the #1 priority for this position?”

This is such a great question because the answer they give you will tell you not just whether you can do the job, but more importantly, it will tell you if you really want to do the job.

For example, extensive travel overseas might be a top priority that you might not be able to live with.  Knowing this up front will help you better compare this opportunity with others that you are interviewing for.  

Another reason why this is such a great question to ask is because it can also put you in a great position to “resell” your qualifications. After the interviewer has answered this question, you could then discuss a few examples of your accomplishments with this #1 priority in mind.  

For example, suppose you are interviewing for an Outside Sales position and the top priority is to visit 8 to 10 rigs per week.  You can then discuss with the interviewer that the reason you were in the top 10% of sales in your region was due primarily that you consistently visited at least 9 rigs per week.  Do not lie or stretch the truth during your interview because these are the types of questions that may be asked of your previous employers during reference checks.

Other good follow up questions that you may ask are “What problems have you had in this area?” or “How are you currently addressing this problem?”

Tip # 3
More Great Questions

Two other important questions to ask are, “What would be my first project or production goals?” and “What obstacles would prevent me from reaching this goal?” After these two questions, you can take a minute and talk about yourself having accomplishing a tough goal.  The better you are at clearly articulating your qualifications, they better your chances will be that you will receive an offer.  The only way you can talk about your prior accomplishments is to prepare them in advance.

Tip # 4
Career Path?

Your future goals and the future goals of the company are an important comparison for you to evaluate. Don’t forget to ask, “If I perform well, where can I go in the company?”  You don't want to have to be in the same boat you are in now because there is no career advancement in this position.

Tip # 5
Write down your questions.

Before your interview, be sure to sit down and write down key questions you want answered during the interview. This should include everything that’s important to you. Don’t forget to take your note pad and pen with you during the interview. You’ll have your questions handy so you won’t forget to ask them. Another reason it's important to bring a notepad is that you will be able to take notes during the interview. (This will prove to be very helpful when you follow up with a thank you note or e-mail!)

Tip # 6
Show me the money?

Compensation discussions are usually very awkward but the subject can’t be avoided. This part of the interview is very similar to a poker match. Nobody wants to reveal their cards too early. Candidates don’t want to leave money on the table and employers want to get the best qualified employee at the best salary. Avoid compensation and benefit discussions early on.

If you are going through a Recruiter, let them do the negotiating. They know all too well the salary the client is willing to pay and how much you require. Be honest and up front with your Recruiter and make sure they know exactly what salary you are targeting and what you will walk away from. Any Recruiter with experience knows how to negotiate offers that make both the employee and the client happy.

If you are not using a Recruiter, it’s best to be honest and up front. Give accurate salary history on the application and make sure you include any bonuses you received in the past. Before you determine what your salary requirements are, make sure you have a clear understanding of the following:

• Career Path. Does this opportunity have a clear and defined career path?
• Performance Reviews. How often will your performance be reviewed and how often can you expect a pay raise with a successful review.
• Pay increase. Historically, how often does the company give raises and typically what percentange increase can you expect if you do well.
• Bonus. Are you eligible for any bonus? How often are they paid out? What is the bonus based on and what amounts have been paid out over the past three years?  If the employer wants to dig into your salary history, it's only fair that you dig into their historical bonus payouts.  Don't shy away.
• You cannot give an accurate salary request until you have a complete picture of how you will be compensated. Be prepared to justify your salary request.

Tip # 7
Show Interest

Somewhere in this interview, you’re going to have to ask for the job. This may seem a bit awkward but it’s the best way to gauge how well you are doing. One way to do this is to ask, “As I understand it, you are looking for someone who does…” and read back the primary duties. Then ask, “Do I have the qualifications to fulfill the requirements for this position?” If the hiring authority feels that you are weak in an area, you can reassure him with a past accomplishment in the same area.

An easier approach that more people are comfortable with would be to ask, “From everything I’ve read about the company and what you have told me, this sounds like an excellent opportunity. What’s the next step?”

By asking this simple question, you can easily gauge how well you have done. Their response could range from, “We have other candidates to interview” to “When can you start?” or something in between. At least by asking this question, you should have a good idea of where you stand and what the next steps are.

The key to interview success is preparation.

Take the time to learn about the company and the people you are interviewing with by looking up their profile on LinkedIn. Know what you are going to ask ahead of time and don’t dominate the interview. Listen carefully and keep your answers brief and to the point. If you follow these steps, you should do well.

Tim Cook is the founder and president of PathFinder Staffing, an oil and gas recruiting agency located in Houston, Texas. For more interviewing and job search tips and strategies, visit our company blog at www.PathFinderStaffing.com/blog and click on the "Interviewing" and "Job Search" links.