Secrets to Successful Interviewing

The objective of the interview is simple and singular — Get the job offer! Job interviews give you the opportunity to make the decision to accept of reject an offer. This may sound fundamental — and you’re right, it is. You would be absolutely amazed at how many candidates either don’t know it or forget it during an interview, sometimes with disastrous results. As you prepare for and participate in an interview, you should never forget the simple, singular objective: Get the job offer! It is the most important thing you can do.

I.   What are employers really looking for in the job interview?

The winning interview technique requires a thorough understanding of the conscious as well as the subconscious things employers are looking for when they interview candidates. How well you do in the interview will depend on how well you meet tangible and intangible criteria when compared to other candidates.

  1. The employer looks for qualifications first. The employer looks for a person who is technically qualified to do the job. It won’t do any good to dwell on what a marvelous supervisor you are if the employer is looking for a skilled programmer. You must focus on the employer’s wants and needs. Remember, there will be more than one candidate who meets this first test. Therefore, the things the employer is subconsciously looking for become as important as the qualifications, perhaps even more important.
     

  2. The employer looks for a positive attitude.
    The employer looks for optimistic statements and positive reactions to questions. Pessimism and negativity never win a job offer for anyone. The idea in interviewing is to elaborate on those things that you can discuss optimistically. It is not necessary to fake it. Nothing is more obvious than phony or superficial enthusiasm. However, if you are optimistic and positive about any facet of the position, don’t fail to show it.
     

  3. The employer looks for an interest in the company and the position. If you like the employer’s products; the people he has already hired; the location of the office; or anything related to the available position, do not be afraid to enthusiastically say so. The employer looks for someone who has a high opinion of the company and position. In other words, the employer is going to hire someone who finds both the work the company does and the position being offered interesting. It is up to you to let the employer know that you’re interested.


  4. The employer looks for indications of longevity of service.     No employer wants to hire someone who will leave the company after a few months. For this reason, the employer looks, either consciously or subconsciously, for someone who indicates that he or she will stay with the company for a reasonable time.

The problem with making a proper impression is this very important area is that employers seldom ask direct question about longevity. Instead they as: "Why are you looking for a position?" or "What are you looking for in a new position?" It is important to realize that these questions, or variations on them, are seeking a response that indicates what the prospective employee’s longevity might be. When answering these questions, you must indicate an intention to remain on the job.

II.   Typical "Tough Questions"

In your preparation for the interview, you should prepare answers to a number of difficult questions that are almost sure to be asked. Your responsibility is to know what the interviewer is really asking and to respond in an honest, sincere and convincing manner. Some typical tough questions are:

  1. "Why don’t you begin by telling me about yourself?" You should be aware that this is not an invitation for a long biographical discourse. It is the interviewer’s way of starting the interview and getting organized for the interview process. The question will have been forgotten before you are through with the answer. Your should confine your answer to three or four well-chosen sentences outlining career highlights.
     

  2. "Do you have an questions?" The temptation here is to ask "me" questions (salary, benefits, etc.). Don’t. You should only ask questions that are job-related prior to the offer. Instead use this time to ask question that you may have about the company or the position.
     

  3. "Do you object to overtime work?" This question is usually not what it seems. The interviewer is not likely to be asking if you will work late everyday. They simply want to know if you are going to drop everything in the middle of a project because to clock says its quitting time. The proper response indicates flexibility.
     

  4. "Why do you want to work for our company?" This is a wide open question — perhaps you like its location, people, and products. This could be an opportunity to pay the company a few compliments and make a friend at the same time.
     

  5. "Why are you considering leaving your current position?" This is the classical query that seeks an indication as to your willingness to stick with the position. If you job history shows that you’ve moved around quite a bit, you should turn a negative into a positive statement - that longevity in a job is one of your goals. Your should also avoid "bashing" your current employer at all costs.
     

  6. Salary Questions. Some of the most important questions are related to salary. Salary is extremely important, but it not the sole consideration. Other facets, including opportunity, benefits and potential for growth may outweigh starting salary as a consideration. When responding to a salary-related question, you should avoid committing to a specific salary level. A figure too high or too low may end in unsatisfactory results for you.

III.   After the interview

Enhance your impact by sending a follow-up letter thanking the interviewer for his or her time. Use the letter to summarize any key points of the interview that highlight the suitability of your skills and experience. Express you enthusiasm about the position, the company and the reasons for your interest. Limit the letter to one page and be certain that it is error free. Mail your thank-you note directly following your interview.

Carlton Staffing is a Texas owned and operated, full-service staffing firm. Our specialty divisions cover a wide variety of industries and divisions.  We hope the information in this article was helpful. For answers to other job-related questions, or to talk about employment opportunities, contact one of our local staffing coordinators. (Click here for branch locations and contact information.)

 

 

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