Job Interviews Made Easier
By now I might have interviewed over 300 or 400 times throughout my freelance career. I have done single, group and even face-to-face. One of the techniques that helped my success was having a strategy at the outset and sticking to it.
Things to remember before you interview
First, make sure your contact info on your resume is correct. You do not want to make it hard for them to get a hold of you, especially if you got the job. They might not care for the inconvenience and hire the next person.
Second, never put all your eggs in one basket. Set up interviews with multiple employers so that you have more chances of being called for a job. And make sure you are calm and collected before the interview. Try to relax and remind yourself that even if you do not get hired, there are more jobs out there to choose from.
What to do during the interview
Ask productive questions. My favorite is "What made you choose me for this interview?" This gets you into the interviewer's head, and you can respond to what is really motivating them. You will learn what positives about you are interesting to them and can talk at length about that.
Ask "Why are you hiring?" This shows thoughtfulness and a true entrepreneurial attitude. It shows you want to find out why they are hiring right now so that you can explain to them why your experience fits the job.
Showcase your ambition and appeal. I like to use the persuasive technique called "future pacing". Here is where you describe all the things you with to perform and produce for your prospective employer. Just make sure you don't overpromise what you can actually deliver. Illustrate the the actions and behaviors that you would bring to the company. Paint a picture in their mind of you performing all the job tasks. Talk about what you would like to achieve, how the company will benefit, and what innovations you'll bring. Not only does this show you are ambitious and confident, you look more appealing than the competing applicants.
What to do after the interview
Double check to make sure your contact info in your resume is correct. Ask for their contact info as well, and agree on a time for you to talk to each other again. No matter the case, try to secure another date to get together and chat. It keeps you closer in their mind than your competitors. Finally, head out and prepare for your next interview. You want to have several lined up so you get more practice as you go along.
Mindset is everything in an interview
If you practice these tips and review them before your interviews, you will be pleasantly surprised at how many more Yes's you get than No's. The secret and underlying theme is to be a good listener. By doing more listening than talking, you will absorb more information, thereby raising the quality of your questions, comments and inputs. As a byproduct, you separate yourself from your competitors who do not bother with the advice suggested here. They do not add value to their interview meetings at all. Take my advice and you will.