Resource Center
Interviewing Is a Skill - Not an Art
by Kim Harmer
Skill (noun) 1. Something requiring training to do well
I think this definition should be celebrated! It means that through training we are all capable of having high-quality interviews. With a little study, good coaching, practice and plenty of preparation - YOU can be a skilled interviewer. Amazing!
Have you ever delivered or presentation or run a meeting without putting in advance planning? Can you imagine the outcome if you showed up and tried to pull it together "on the fly"? Without an agenda, a plan and a set of objectives your meeting would likely be a waste of everyone's time. Do you recall being a party to an interview that was a waste of your time? Well, sadly, I have heard plenty of clients talk about their time wasted interviewing unprepared candidates.
Being well prepared, rehearsed and organized are essential ingredients for a good interview. You should be as ready for an interview as you would be for any important meeting, which you have held. It's important that you have the following two objectives well defined:
- Knowing the key information you want to communicate
- Determining what information you want to learn about the company and position.
These two points may seem obvious however, taking them seriously requires putting in significant time and thought. I suggest the following exercises:
1. Review your resume. Familiarize yourself with past roles, responsibilities, technologies, tasks, project outcomes and accomplishments. (I can't tell you how often people cannot discuss information on their resume from past experience.)
2. Evaluate the job description. Study each responsibility, skill and requirement. The order in which they are stated is telling - likely, the most critical elements are mentioned first.
3. Match your experience to the requirements. Be prepared to give example from your background describing where and how you have executed the required skill.
4. If you do not possess a particular experience, just let the interviewer know you have not worked in that area. Do not attempt to bluff your way through experience you do not have. Few things are more irritating (or time wasting) than this.
5. Spend time on the company's web site. Make sure you learn about their business and read any recent press releases.
6. Research the company and people. Visit Linked In and checkout profiles of the interview team and other people who have been in the role you want to land. You can learn a great deal of valuable information through this research. Run Google searches with key words to see what else you can learn. Be creative and resourceful!
7. Generate a list of good questions, which demonstrate your analytical skills, thoughtful preparation and - most importantly - interest in the company. You would be surprised - as I am - to hear a client reveal that they liked the candidate but were concerned that he or she lacks interest because the individual failed to ask any questions - UGH! What an unbelievable mistake. Don't ever let that happen to you! Good questions also demonstrate that you are evaluating them as closely (or more) than they are judging you.
8. Study and apply our Interview Tips Document. (You can download the document by clicking the link.) It will provide valuable tools or you to successfully master the skill of interviewing!
Remember developing a skill takes time. So, don't be afraid to take on some "practice interviews". Spend time perfecting your skill by attending interviews for less appealing opportunities. It is a worthwhile exercise.
Good luck and I hope this advice helps you get ahead!
Download our interview tips documents:
