3 Things You Must Do In Every Interview

“Before job interviews, I think: What color tie best represents me as a person this company would be interested in?” (haha)

― Jarod Kintz [This Book Has No Title]

 

Are you interview-ready?

Today I’m assuming you’ve done all the research, completed the homework assignment and are intellectually prepared for the interview.

But what about IN the interview?

What are the 3 key things I would say to any client about what they absolutely need to do to increase their chances of getting hired?

Now, I’m not talking about avoiding those troublesome antics like leaving the cell phone on or chewing gum.

I’m talking about 3 clear actions you should take in every interview – where you want the job you’re interviewing for.

Here you go.

 

1.  Say you want the job.

I had a new grad client who told me recently that he was uncomfortable asking for the job. To those of you who are I say: If you don’t, someone else will. Advantage: them.

Here’s why. When I was a manager my team and I would huddle after panel or round-robin interviews. The first to go on the list would be anyone who didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about the job.

At the end of the day, managers want to hire people who want to work for them.

I wonder how many great talents we let walk out of the office that could have done a great job. Except they didn’t tell us they wanted to.

If you are uncomfortable saying this, then you need to practice before you go in. And of course, only say it if you really WANT the job. Typically you’ll be asked if you have questions, this is a good point to bring up in summary.

I want you to know that, without question, I want this job. What other information can I provide, or questions can I answer, to convince you I’m the right candidate?

Once you leave that room, you can say it in a thank you note or a phone call. But don’t leave the power of saying it “face-to-face” on the table.

 

2. Speak in terms of your value. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

The ONLY reason someone will hire you is they believe you have the ability to help them solve their business problems.

At an interview, the employer has the problem, and you are there to demonstrate you can solve it. Everything you say and do should convey that same message. Convey it in as many ways as you can.

• I can do it, here’s how I will.
• Here’s evidence I did for someone else.
• My proven skills are xyz, and here’s how they match up to your needs.
• I’m likeable and will be a good fit in the organization, here I am demonstrating that in the interview.

Repetitio mater studiorum est.

It’s a Latin phrase meaning, “Repetition is the mother of all learning.”

There’s not just one question about how you’ll provide value. The entire interview is a process in which others learn about YOU and what you are going to do for them. Help THEM learn! Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Whether you are convincing them of your likeability, demonstrating your fit in the organization, or presenting a 30-60-90 day start-up plan, your overarching, consistent and repeatable message is about the value you bring.

3. Convey a confident presence.

Someone told me a long time ago, “Lea, when you walk into a room, you have a presence.” Although I still have a hard time describing it, I can tell you it’s been a powerful quality in my career.

So let’s just say that when you have presence and confidence, people sense it.

In an interview, the manager wants to know you are confident. [NOT arrogant.] No one wants to hire someone who doesn’t seem very sure of him or herself.

But it’s hard for new grads to understand the power of personal presence, because you really haven’t had a lot of experience with it.

In a recent Forbes article the author describes executive presence as “the ability to project gravitas–confidence, poise under pressure and decisiveness.”

As a new grad, start building a sense of confidence and comfort in your own skin. Practice looking up and out, to see how you fit into the picture.

Be who you are. Be confident in who you are. But also be a part of the system in the room.

The interview is not just a hiring manager evaluating you. It’s about you determining if these are partners you want to make a professional commitment to. Get in the game, take a role in the discussion, and center it in the presence you bring with you.

Here’s an idea for practicing your presence element. See Amy Cuddy’s video on Power Poses below. See how they make a difference for you!

[ted id=1569]

 

In your next interview, take a deep breath, and own it.

 

If you found this post helpful, here’s what you can do next:

1. Comment on this blog post and let me know how far you’ve come this year.

2. Share this blog post with someone, because he or she might need to hear one thing that could make the difference in their next interview.

3. Donate a tweet, share, or like from one of the buttons below. I’d very much appreciate it!

And thanks, as always, for reading.