Real Interview Tips for 2012

Every article I read on LinkedIn, or anywhere else for that matter, has the same outdated perspectives on how to conduct a successful job interview: dress conservatively and professionally, ask important questions, and state your achievements.  This is all good advice and used to be all you really needed to know before going in for your interview.  However, we live in a different world now — a world of high unemployment and strict competition for positions.  So what can the eager professional do to prepare for the interview and lock down that sought-after position?

I know that when I have hired in the past or as I coach others on interviewing skills, I have always recommend calling the office and just talking to the person that answers the phone.  Tell them you have a meeting there and you would like to make sure you are not overdressed. ”What is your dress code?” (Note: There is clearly a move toward a business casual that has no written rules yet. But, it’s still better remember to be a little more formal in an interview than the environment typically calls for.) You do not have to state with whom you are meeting, and it's best not to.

As for questions to ask in the interview, NEVER EVER ask what the pay is.  That is a major faux pas. What you can do in order to get that answered, is ask what is this position worth to the firm in respect to benefits, shares, bonuses, etc. Do your research on the company and ask about its financial state, profit over margin, growth potential, and marketing strategies. These questions will usually stump the interviewer.  They know this information. You should know this information if possible.  Ask them how long have they been there, what position they started in, and what made them look to this firm to work and build a career in. What are the expectations from the position that you are being interviewed for and why is it available? These questions will also let you know about the possibility of promotion in the future. 

When discussing your achievements, which are what they want to hear, talk about situations in which you achieved things with and without team members. This will let them know you can achieve goals both in a team and without one. Never speak ill about anyone from any position, the world is pretty small at times and you never know who knows who.

Example: I had an interview with what I thought was a great candidate — until they spoke very ill about a person that never pulled their weight and the manager never did anything about it. Once they finished bashing the person and the company, I politely let them know that was a very good friend of mine and I also know their manager's manager, and that they were also a client of ours. So...do you think that person got the job???  NO WAY!!  Keep it neutral — even if they press you for information, just say that you never really had any real issues with anyone and that you were there to work not play. This will let them know you’re not one that they will find at the water cooler gossiping and getting involved in the office politics.

All in all, take all the age-old advice out there to heart but in the end, be yourself, be professional, leave personal feelings and opinions out of the conversation and always sell yourself.  The key to winning that great position is to prove to them you have the skills they’re looking for and that you’re a person that gets along well with others and that can be counted on no matter what. 

Lastly, always approach every opportunity as if it is the best position you’ve ever interviewed for regardless of your immediate impressions.  Always keep the ball in your court.  Do the interview, get the offer and THEN decide if you want to accept the position.  Remember, if you go through the interview with half effort you probably won’t even get an offer to turn down.  You can’t turn down an offer you never get.

Good Luck!