| This month, we continue on with interviewing pointers. Too bad I'm not giving advice to interviewers. Based on some of the letters I've received, there's a crying need there. Some of my favorites from the field:
"Why would you want to leave your position with your current company? I'm trying to get a job there myself."
"How come I couldn't find any information about you when I looked you up on the Internet?"
"How did you manage to finish Stanford in four years? I thought it was so hard that nobody ever did that."
"My wife probably wouldn't enjoy the job you're interviewing for."
My response to most of these would have been something on the order of "How'd you get to be such a moron?" Not really, but that's what I would have been thinking. Most interviewers aren't this clueless, but they're not very original either. It's a good idea to prepare answers for stock questions ahead of time, accepting that you'll have to customize your basic responses a bit for each new situation.
Tell Me a Little About yourself...
Technically not a question, but still my personal favorite for an opening gambit. This is the perfect spot for a concise, well-rehearsed statement. If put together properly, it's almost guaranteed to get the interviewer to go in a direction favorable to you. Here's how:
First, keep in mind that your answer shouldn't exceed two or three minutes - which is actually a long time. Next, come up with three things that you want the interviewer to know about you. Then, rank them in order of importance to build the outline for your answer.
Start with a quick overview of your career progress and education. Don't recite your resume. Say that there are a few things you'd like to highlight and mention them quickly. You'll finish with number one, which should be a specific competency or career accomplishment.
This should be something that you have reason to believe the company will value. If there's a story involved, tell a very abbreviated version, leaving out peoples' names and other irrelevant details. The interviewer is only interested in what obstacles you overcame or how you served your employer at the time. If there's no story involved, explain (again, briefly) why you believe it's important and how you feel that this attribute can benefit the interviewer's company.
Don't go overboard with this explanation. Stop just short of telling everything and leave the interviewer room to ask some follow-up questions. Especially if you drop in something intriguing, like " My manager said it was the most creative solution to a problem he'd ever seen," without specifying what the solution was. People are naturally curious and interviewers are likely to take the bait. If you can lead the interviewer down your path, you've gained a measure of control over the situation.
Some do's and don'ts for the "Tell me about yourself"
- Do inject some humor or lightheartedness into your answer; everyone likes to be entertained
- Don't start your history from birth
- Do write down your answer so you can see if it makes sense
- Don't respond with "What would you like to know?" This ball is in your court.
- Do practice giving your answer conversationally. It shouldn't sound like a list or a speech
- Don't shrug your shoulders or act like there's nothing to tell about you. If you can't find anything good to say about yourself, why should the interviewer look closer?
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
This is a critically important question - have a specific answer. It's the place where you put your research about the company into the conversation and explain why this is where you'd like to be. Make sure your answer is more than a thinly veiled interest in their excellent signing bonus.
Whether you respect the company or its products, are excited about the personal opportunity to grow posed by the position, or want to get involved with a new technology that you know they use, let the interviewer know directly. Tell him/her what intrigues you and why you'd like to be part of the organization. Be enthusiastic, but don't fawn.
If you're there because of someone you know at the company (either as a direct referral or because it sounded like a good place to you), this is the perfect time to work it into the conversation. Or maybe you've been recruited for the position. Don't be surprised if you get this question anyhow. The company thinks it might want you, but needs to know if this interest is reciprocated before time and energy is invested in preparing an offer.
Don't ever give an indifferent answer or say that you don't know. It shows that you haven't prepared for the interview and instantly blows your chances. If you can't be bothered to come up with something positive to say, why are you wasting everyone's time? (Yours included.)
Why Should We Hire You?
No matter how this might sound to you, it is not meant as a challenge. It isn't asked to put you on the defensive. The interviewer is giving you - the candidate - an opportunity to sell yourself to the company. Some people are dumbfounded by this question because they're completely unprepared to respond. Since they only focus on themselves and their own interests, they've never stopped to consider the hiring decision from the company's point of view.
It's all about value...what are you bringing to the table? Why you rather than somebody else? What if you were hiring? Would you hire you? Why? Get ready to answer this, considering the company's perspective.
No exaggerating, no boasting. Just honest, straightforward business value. You: "I can build a Linux server for you today." "I've taught myself Javascript and built four websites; here are the addresses." "When I'm on a project, I meet my deadlines and the project manager never has to chase me for deliverables." These are the things interviewers want to hear.
Even disadvantages can be turned into advantages if they're phrased properly. I'm getting lots of letters from entry-level types who can't seem to get a foot in the door. Remember that interviewers are looking for the best fit for the job. Given the current labor market, this can mean the least unqualified candidate.
You: "I know I don't have any experience yet, but I did well in training and I'm a very hard worker. I'll appreciate the chance if you give it to me and I won't let you down." Sincerity and willingness can count for something. Not so great for your ego, but if it gets you the job, it will do.
Some Lesser Questions
Not less important, just less universal. Think about answers to the following:
Where do you want to be in five years? The interviewer wants to know what you intend for a career path. Explain not only what you want to be doing, but also what you plan as a strategy for getting there, including training or certifications. Hint: this is not the place to tell the interviewer what other place you intend to be working by then.
What's your ultimate career goal? It's okay to talk about a dream job or to say that you're not sure yet. Technology continues to evolve at a fantastic pace - let the interviewer know you want to be part of it. Make certain that your answer indicates increasing levels of responsibility and explain how you are willing invest in yourself to get there. If you're able to work in how this can benefit the company, so much the better.
How long do you think you would stay with our company? This is a loaded question. You really have no idea, since you don't really know what it would be like to work there. The right answer is something vague to the effect of "as long as I would continue to have challenging assignments that help me to grow professionally." Turn it around and ask the interviewer how long people in the position you're applying for typically stay. If it seems short, ask why.
Do you have any questions for me? If you don't, you should. Ask about things like training opportunities, typical work hours and conditions, and possibilities for career growth/promotion within the department, if they haven't been discussed. These are all good indicators of job satisfaction and should help you to determine if this is the right place for you.
More...
Next month, we'll continue with Ingenious Interviewing, Part 3. I'll talk about how to handle different kinds of interviewers and how to follow up after an interview. I'd love to hear from anyone who's had a really good interview experience above and beyond getting the job offer. If you'd like to share the good ones (and who would I be to reject any horror stories) write to me at jamie@jobcircle.com.
Enjoy this article? Read more of JobCircle.com's Career Coach articles.
Jamie Fabian spent more than 15 years as a human resources executive before changing careers to become a senior project manager for a growing IT consulting company. Now in management consulting for a large Pharma company, Jamie would like to be seen as a hybrid of Tom Peters, Tom Jackson, and Tom Wolfe, but spends too much time working, driving carpool and watching mindless TV to write more than this column. You can contact Jamie with questions and comments at jamie@jobcircle.com.
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