Getting the Job You Want
Disclaimer: The author (me) does not claim to be a job coach, life coach, or anything coach (well, except Girls on the Run).
However, the author (still me) has also sat in many interviews, on both sides of the table. Additionally, the author has facilitated mock interviews with high school students. There seem to be consistent areas across the board where people feel unsure or uneasy. There are also consistent patterns of interviews worth explaining to interviewees so they can focus on duties of a job rather than how to get through an interview.
P.S. (pre-script): I personally believe the interview process is antiquated (outdated, old) and will hopefully be replaced by something more practical in the near future such as observations or try-outs for jobs.
Start by telling yourself you are the most qualified person for the job. Then try to believe it.
Getting an Interview
Send an email to whoever’s name is listed as a contact person for a job when you submit your application, or click ‘apply’ if using a website. The email can simply tell the employer how much you would like the chance to have an interview because you would love to work for their company.
If possible, go to the place of employment in person to deliver your application, especially if most people are simply attaching it to a website. When people see you, they remember you, and you immediately stand out to them, But be sure to dress professionally when you go in or it can backfire!
Research the company a little bit ahead of time. This way, if something stands out or is important to them, you can build it into your answers. For example, if their slogan is “we care about customers,” when they ask what you can bring to the company, you can say “I will always work to make sure customers are satisfied with their service.”
The Interview
Wear: nice clothes and shoes
Brush: hair and teeth
Bring: pen and paper
Leave your phone somewhere out of sight and turn it off, not just on vibrate.
Be. On. Time. (Which means 10 minutes early) This gives you time to relax, possibly fill out papers if they have any for you, and who knows - maybe they'll give you questions to review?!
What to Expect
Setting
If they are a few minutes late starting your interview, this is nothing to worry about. Often times a committee is finishing a conversation about an interview before you, or chatting about how they are going to take turns asking questions. They have a little “work” to do in the interview process as well.
Sometimes you will be with one interviewer, sometimes it will be a committee. If it’s one on one, you may sit across from someone at their desk. If it’s a group, you might be at a table or crammed into an office - I’ve seen it all. If more than one person interviews you, you will probably be sitting facing them.
Be yourself, be truthful and comfortable with your answers. Reflect the emotions of the interviewers. If they are smiling, you smile. If they are serious, don’t make jokes or flip statements. It is permissible to appear nervous as interviews are very important, and they know you are probably nervous anyway.
Questions
If it is an hourly job, the questions will likely be linked to specific job duties. Any questions that you do not already know, you can say you are a quick learner or that you’ve wanted to learn how to do (said skill) anyway.
If it is a career type job, you will have some job specific questions as well and will probably need to know the answers. Typically if you are qualified for a job, it is not a problem answering these questions.
The good news is most interview questions do not have one specific correct answer. Rather, committees are looking at your ability to explain, relate, and generally speak to topics.
Process
When you enter the interview room, smile. Thank them for taking the time for your interview.
Answer questions without rambling. Think of your key point of an answer and elaborate only on that point. Make your answers long enough to cover the topic, but short enough to be interesting. Listing every example you can think of is not necessary, might bore the interviewers, and will create an awkward conversational environment. You can search sample interview questions, although they are often generic in search findings, so keep that in mind. Searching a specific job aeea may bring back more specific search results in regards to question samples. Click below to see sample questions thanks to monster.com
If there’s a question you aren’t sure of an answer for, just say something like “that is new to me but I am happy to learn about it,” or “I can’t think of something off the top of my head, can you give me an example?” Nobody expects you to know everything.
When you leave, smile and thank them again for the interview. Notice if someone reaches out to shake your hand and respond by shaking theirs. It’s an added bonus to look them in the eyes as you do, even briefly.
If you are able to access emails of those who were on the interview, thank them for their time and for the interview. At the least you probably have access to the person who contacted you for the interview so you can just email them to thank them for the opportunity.
The Waiting Game
Sometimes the committee will tell you how long until they make a decision about who they will hire for the position. When they call, if you are not selected, it is fair to ask “is there anything specific I can work on for my next interview?” It is also fair to simply thank them for the interview. If you are selected be sure to ask when you will begin, what you need to wear, and if there is anything you need to know or do before your first day. You will have at least a day, usually a few days of training so you do not need to know every detail (trust that what they tell you will be sufficient for a successful first day).
Remember! Every interview is practice for future interviews. There is no such thing as a failed interview. There are only lessons learned for the next one(s).
Take risks, live your life, ask questions, and find your fun!