Knock 'em Dead Job Interview

1. Master the Five Secrets of Every Hiring Decision

"There are five criteria that hiring managers apply to every hiring decision to ensure these goals are met."

Understand the hiring process. Employers make hiring decisions based on five key criteria:

1. Ability and Suitability: Technical skills and industry knowledge
2. Problem-solving: Identifying, preventing, and solving issues
3. Transferable Skills: Communication, critical thinking, etc.
4. Intelligent Enthusiasm: Genuine engagement and motivation
5. Teamwork and Manageability: Ability to work well with others

By understanding these criteria, you can tailor your interview responses to address each point, significantly increasing your chances of landing the job.

2. Develop Transferable Skills and Professional Values

"There is a specific set of transferable skills and professional values that underlies professional success: skills and values that employers all over the world in every industry and profession are anxious to find in candidates from the entry-level to the boardroom."

Cultivate universal skills. Key transferable skills include:

• Technical expertise
• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Multitasking
• Creativity
• Teamwork
• Leadership

Professional values to embody:

• Motivation and energy
• Commitment and reliability
• Determination
• Pride and integrity
• Productivity

Developing and showcasing these skills and values will make you a desirable candidate across industries and job levels.

3. Conduct a Target Job Deconstruction (TJD) for Interview Success

"TJD is the best way to get a tight focus on what your customers are buying and what you have to sell."

Analyze job requirements. The Target Job Deconstruction process involves:

1. Collecting 6-10 job postings for your target position
2. Defining a target job title
3. Prioritizing employer needs
4. Identifying problem prevention and solution issues
5. Creating a behavioral profile for success and failure

This exercise helps you understand employer priorities, align your skills with job requirements, and prepare relevant examples for interviews. It provides a framework for tailoring your responses to showcase your suitability for the role.

4. Ace the Telephone Interview: Your First Impression Matters

"Telephone interviews happen in one of three ways: You have arranged a specific time for a telephone interview. An employer calls unexpectedly as the result of a resume you have mailed or e-mailed. You are making a marketing or networking call, and the recruiter or hiring manager goes straight into a formal screening process because you have aroused her interest."

Prepare for unexpected calls. To excel in telephone interviews:

• Always be ready to discuss your qualifications
• Have your resume and company research handy
• Speak clearly and enthusiastically
• Use a quiet environment with good reception
• Stand up to project confidence in your voice
• Follow up with a thank-you email

Remember, the goal of a telephone interview is to secure an in-person meeting. Focus on conveying your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.

5. Dress and Communicate for Interview Success

"When you make the effort to dress professionally, there are three results: You look better, you feel better, and others treat you better."

Present your best self. Professional appearance and communication are crucial:

Dress:

• Conservative, well-fitting attire
• Minimal jewelry and accessories
• Polished shoes and neat grooming

Body Language:

• Firm handshake and eye contact
• Open posture and attentive listening
• Appropriate facial expressions

Your appearance and non-verbal communication significantly impact the interviewer's perception of your professionalism and suitability for the role.

6. Navigate Different Types of Interviews and Interviewers

"Competent interviewers have a plan: They know what they are going to ask, when they are going to ask it, why they are asking it, and what they hope to find."

Adapt to various scenarios. Understanding different interview types helps you prepare:

1. Structured interviews: Predetermined questions in a specific order
2. Unstructured interviews: Conversational approach with open-ended questions
3. Behavioral interviews: Focus on past experiences and actions
4. Panel interviews: Multiple interviewers asking questions
5. Stress interviews: Designed to test your reaction under pressure

Recognize the interviewer's style and adjust your approach accordingly. Be prepared for various question types and maintain composure throughout the process.

7. Craft Compelling Answers to Tough Interview Questions

"All any interviewer really wants is to find someone who can do the job, wants to do the job, and can get along with others."

Prepare thoughtful responses. When answering tough questions:

• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions
• Highlight relevant skills and experiences
• Provide specific examples to support your claims
• Address potential weaknesses positively
• Show enthusiasm for the role and company

Common tough questions to prepare for:

• "Tell me about yourself"
• "Why should we hire you?"
• "What's your greatest weakness?"
• "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Practice your responses to build confidence and ensure you convey key information effectively.

8. Handle Stress and Illegal Questions with Grace

"Relax. One part of the Wechsler test (a developmental aptitude test) asks you to repeat back a string of numbers to the psychologist. If you're too hyped up, you'll get flustered and blow it. These tests measure intelligence plus your test-taking behavior. And you can certainly improve your test-taking behavior!"

Stay calm under pressure. When faced with stress or illegal questions:

• Take deep breaths to remain composed
• Pause briefly to collect your thoughts
• Redirect the conversation to job-related topics
• Politely decline to answer inappropriate questions
• Focus on your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role

Remember, how you handle challenging situations during the interview demonstrates your ability to manage stress on the job. Maintain professionalism and stay focused on showcasing your suitability for the position.

9. Follow Up Effectively After the Interview

"Follow-up after an interview is a critical step in winning any job offer, but the longer the decision-making period, the less distinct candidates become from each other in the hiring manager's memory."

Keep your candidacy fresh. Effective follow-up strategies:

1. Send a thank-you email within 24 hours
2. Mail a handwritten note within 2-3 days
3. Connect on LinkedIn (if appropriate)
4. Follow up with additional information or ideas
5. Check in periodically on the hiring timeline

In your follow-up communications:

• Express gratitude for the opportunity
• Reiterate your interest in the position
• Highlight key qualifications discussed
• Address any concerns raised during the interview

Thoughtful follow-up demonstrates your professionalism and enthusiasm, keeping you top-of-mind during the decision-making process.

10. Negotiate Job Offers Like a Pro

"New jobs are pivotal points in your life that affect not just this job and the next couple of years, but your whole life going forward. They shouldn't represent decisions made without thought or purely on the basis of salary."

Consider the full package. When negotiating job offers:

• Research industry salary ranges
• Determine your desired salary range
• Consider the entire compensation package (benefits, bonuses, etc.)
• Be prepared to justify your salary expectations
• Negotiate beyond just salary (e.g., flexible hours, professional development)

Key negotiation tips:

1. Express enthusiasm for the role
2. Let the employer make the first offer
3. Counter with a reasonable range
4. Be willing to compromise
5. Get the final offer in writing

Remember, negotiation is a collaborative process. Aim for a win-win outcome that satisfies both your needs and the employer's constraints.

Last updated: October 21, 2024