3 Smart Ways to NOT Lay an Egg in Your Interview

No matter at what level you may be seeking a job—entry-level to executive, interviews are anxiety producing. So much rests upon them. You want to put your best foot forward. But beware…you do not want to make the mistake of talking too much, especially about you.

1. Be Clear, Concise and Compelling.  Your answers to questions should be brief and to the point. The interviewer can always follow up with more questions if they want you to elaborate. 
2. Always Link to What Matters Most.  Open-ended questions like “tell me what most interests you” are not your signal to talk in general. They are an opportunity to tie what you like to do with the position you are interviewing for. Be specific about what you have to offer that would make you a great candidate for the job.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice.  Above all, according to interviewing skills training best practices, preview and role play. Think through what you may be asked and practice how to answer. Be ready with a description of what situation, in your past experience, would most demonstrate the qualities the job requires. 

Top 2 Ways Not to Flub Your Behavioral Interview

Interviewers are getting smarter and smarter.

They know all about behavioral interviewing and have ways to test that the experience you claim is real and that you would be a good fit for their job opening an organizational culture. They do not allow you to run the conversation. They question and probe and try to uncover what really makes you tick. What can you do to avoid flubbing the interview?

1. Be honest. There is nothing to be gained by trying to be someone you are not. You might shoehorn yourself into the job but you will not be happy or successful there. Meantime, an astute interviewer who has had interviewing skills training will see right through your pretense.
2. Be prepared. Think through possible questions ahead of time. Listen carefully to the question and then with various scenarios in mind you can offer proof that you can, for example,

§  Handle pressure and ambiguity

§  Deal with challenges and change

§  Solve complex problems and help others to succeed

§  Learn from mistakes and other people

§  Set and achieve goals when you say you will

§  Be a team player and do what is best for the organization

§  Resolve conflict and clearly communicate

#1 Rookie Mistake – Hiring for Comfort

It is far too easy to prefer interviewees who are like us, the interviewers. If we have similar personalities, backgrounds, interests and skills, we are more comfortable with them because we understand and communicate well with them. They would be the easy, comfortable choice to fill any open job slot.

But if you are hiring for a team, do not hire for comfort.

There are those in the interviewing skills training field who recommend you do just the opposite. They recommend that you hire those who are different from you. Why?

The strongest, most effective teams are made up of diverse members who have a variety of personalities, backgrounds and skills. In fact, it has been shown that more diverse teams lead to greater innovation and, perhaps as a corollary, better financial results.

The take-away?

Hire those who make you feel a bit uncomfortable. They will bring different perspectives to your team and challenge your thinking.

7 Video Interviewing Best Practice Guidelines

In an effort to save time and money, many organizations are conducting interviews via video-conferencing technology. But beware…recent research by interviewing skills training experts shows that there is a significant downside: not only were interviewees seen as less likeable, but also interviewers were seen as less capable. In an era where competition for talent is high, neither result is acceptable.

If, however, you cannot afford face-to-face interviews for all candidates, use video-conferencing only as a first screen. And then apply the following 7 guidelines:

1. Level the field for fair play. Use the same interviewing method for all candidates for the same job.
2. Use the best equipment available.
3. Focus close to eye level so there is, at least, apparent eye contact and on the face to capture expressions.
4. Be more expressive than usual as if you were acting on screen…as you are.
5. Practice so you come across as naturally as possible.
6. See that the interviewee is comfortable with the format and the technology.
7. Ask a co-worker to take notes so you minimize the times you look away from the screen.