Effective and Powerful Interviewing
- Mar 31, 2024
- 2 min read
The key to effective interviewing is preparation. The goal is to have a friendly chat that does not appear scripted. You want to put the manager at ease. Remember interviewing can also be stressful for the manager. Understanding the manager's needs will help them feel comfortable with you as a person and a candidate.
Be aware of body language and eye contact. Leaning in and using comfortable hand gestures will reinforce your interest and enthusiasm. Remember that the first few minutes of any interview are critical. Showing your excitement for the role and the company will help put the manager at ease.
Nailing the first few minutes of the interview is critical to drive attention, comfort and interest. Effectively capturing the Managers interests can be achieved by doing your research, mock interviewing relevant open ended questions.
What are the company's missions/goals?
What does the company or group produce and roughly what is the company's annual revenue.
What are some of the challenges faced by the organization or company?
What is your approach when addressing challenges in the workplace?
What is the makeup of the team and how would you fit in?
Make your skills/experiences relevant with the use of strong examples.
Study the job description and look for specific skills/experience that will make you successful in the role.
Use the Manager's own terms when providing examples of your experience and achievements. The job description will give you clues as to what the manager is looking for in a candidate
Ask open-ended questions that are relevant to the role and goals of the team. Get the manager to talk about the role and how they will view success. These clues give you an opportunity to show that you understand the needs of the manager.
Understand the organization's dependencies. As an example, is the group or company facing budget issues? Is there a new competitor which is threatening their success?
Mirror the Manager and be ready to style flex
Use the Managers language when discussing your experience and achievements. By using their terms, the manager will feel that you understand their business and challenges.
Look for clues as the overall style of the manager. Are they enthusiastic and on the edge of their seat during the interview? Mirroring their style and mannerisms will help them feel comfortable.
In dealing with Sales Managers as an example, it is important to articulate how consistently you achieved your sales quotas. In finance, managers are looking for very precise numbers that can easily be backed up with financial or sales data.
If possible, show how the manager's experience is similar to your own experience
Managers hire candidates that they like and feel will work well with their team. No manager wants to feel challenged. Be sensitive to their needs while showing your willingness to learn. Your interest in working from the ground up will help put the manager at ease.
Preparation and the use of mock interviews will help you breeze through the live interview. The interview should be a comfortable discussion. The more you understand the needs and goals of the organization the more likely you will be seen as a logical fit for the role.
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