When we had finished with the interview and they were well on their way, I turned to my business partner and said, "I'm going to write a blog to teach people how to successfully interview for a job."
It's not hard. I promise. It's easy. Here goes:
Start by absolutely divorcing yourself of any emotions about getting the job or not.
1. It's not your decision
2. They may have already hired someone/are going through the motions for show
3. The job may not be right for you
4. They may be terrible people or a terrible company - you don't know yet
5. There might be a different position you are better suited for
Maybe it's not a fit at all. You don't know and it's not up to you. You may need a job, but this might be the wrong job. Enter in neutrality and let it unfold.
Eager beaver energy is not for everybody. Be cool and represent yourself.
Look Like a Decent Version of Yourself
Whether you are interviewing to run a country or scrub a toilet, you must show the person who has the power to hire you that you have respect for yourself and them. Suit up. Put some effort in. If you don't put the effort to look like you care, I am going to assume you don't care. If you have no appropriate clothes, get some. If you can't afford them, borrow them. Bathe. Run a comb through you hair. Look hygienic and smell like nothing. If you are interviewing for any job in the fashion or beauty industry, look like you know it.
The young person was wearing tights as pants. TIGHTS ARE NOT PANTS. They had taken newly washed hair and rolled in up in a bun, wet. Their make-up was not well done (I require no make-up at my company) but their foundation did not match their skin tone at all, but make-up is part of the licensure. Which means their has been a fail on their part or the part of the school. I am definitely not the first person this make-up had been worn in front of.
Have clean hands. Clean has no smell, but if you wish to smell, smell good without bathing in it. If I leave the interview smelling like you, you will be sent to the corn.
Sound Informed and Intelligent
In a job interview, you will be asked questions about yourself, about the job, about what you want from the job, and what you offer our company. It would be so great if you took a moment to consider the answers to those questions before we meet. It would be super special if you took a moment to consider what you want in a job: the work environment, the duties, the corporate culture, the hours, etc, WHICH, by the way, are easy to find just by looking at our website and yelp reviews. Do your homework.
When I ask you about yourself, have some answers. When I ask you about your current situation, figure out how to word any displeasure with your current employer without throwing them under the bus. That way I know that if it doesn't work out between us, you won't be out in the world trashing my company.
If you've looked at our website, show it. Show me you know what we do. Let me hear what you would bring to our culture and value system.
I need to know that you can converse intelligently. There is no way in hell I am putting you in a room with our clients if you are incapable of carrying on repeated conversations with them. The clients who come to our business are from every walk of life. I need to know you can hold your own, you can speak on a variety of issues, and can be an excellent representative for our work and values.
I'm not going to close clients in a room with anyone I couldn't listen to for an hour, twelve times a year.
Bring Your Resume
Bring it. You already emailed it to me? So what. Bring it. I'm busy. I probably didn't have time to print it.
Make sure it's up to date with the objective curated specifically for ME. Maybe go the extra mile and proofread it, you know, in case I care about such things (I do until the world decides they are not important. Errors are a distraction). If you don't know how to put a resume together, the interwebs are full of useful information and there are plenty of templates available for you in their products.
Care
If you don't care about people, do not interview and waste the energy I need for someone who is right for us.
Don't Lie
If the job I am offering requires a lot of cleaning and you avoid it, don't tell me how much you love it. Don't tell me you can sell when you can't. Don't tell me you're a hard worker and then get caught watching movies on your phone on the first day. Don't tell me you're prompt and then can't get to work on time. Don't lie to yourself and then bring that misrepresentation to our company. We don't need it.
Know How to Shake Hands (Post COVID)
Here is how to shake hands in case you really don't know.
Reach out first. Be assertive. Initiate the connection.
Thumb is up, pinkie is down. None of this palm down thing. Handshakes need to be a mutual meeting place.
Fingers together, thumb extended, hand is flat.
Your thumb webbing should meet my thumb webbing before we grasp at the same time.
Grasp is medium firm. No wet fishes, no death grip. or an asshole.
Two pumps. Then release.
Maintain eye contact the entire time. Maybe smile.
The End.
Ask Meaningful, Mindful Questions About the Job, Company, and Future
Don't know what to ask? Here. Let me make this easy for you.
~What would my day to day look like?
~How much training is there? Who is the trainer?
~Where is the company going in the future?
~What are the growth opportunities and how do you decide who gets them?
And here is how you ask about pay:
Would you please explain the compensation package?
All conventional wisdom says that the more you get the interviewer to talk about the job and their company, not only do you learn more but they walk away with a more favorable view of you as a candidate.
Close Strong
Look like you enjoyed talking to me. Shake my hand properly.
"I really enjoyed our time together. Unless you need more from me, I will let you get on to the next candidate or your day."
Many people who interview do not know how to get themselves out of it. You will be doing many people a favor.
Exit gracefully.
~~~~~~
Most interviewers know in the first minute if you even have a shot. It's a gut instinct thing, and the only thing you can do after that is reinforce their good opinion of you or blow the deal.
A few tips:
Watch this TED Talk: http://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc
Walk away with no expectations of even hearing back one way or the other. Many hiring managers just let it lie. Partially because they are busy and because they don't like to deliver bad news. When you leave, leave it behind you. If the job is yours, it'll find you.
And send a thank-you. It's just good manners.
Best of luck.
~~~~~~
Most interviewers know in the first minute if you even have a shot. It's a gut instinct thing, and the only thing you can do after that is reinforce their good opinion of you or blow the deal.
A few tips:
Watch this TED Talk: http://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc
Walk away with no expectations of even hearing back one way or the other. Many hiring managers just let it lie. Partially because they are busy and because they don't like to deliver bad news. When you leave, leave it behind you. If the job is yours, it'll find you.
And send a thank-you. It's just good manners.
Best of luck.
