I have gone through my share of interviews – entry to executive level. I have also been very fortunate enough to be on both sides of the table – interviewing and being the interviewee.
So twenty years later I can bravely say that I have perfected my own style of the interview. I have also successfully coached many through their own opportunities on both sides of the table.
My Interviewee History (bad stories):
Throughout University I worked a few part-time jobs. I was briefly employed seasonally at The Gap, Walmart, and some other unique roles. The interviews for all these part-time jobs sucked (#sorrynotsorry).
Retails interviews are all exactly the same. The interviewer was never invested in my 15 time slot for this part-time job, the questions were all the same, and they didn’t want to be doing them…. I can’t blame them (they were following a script and I really don’t think they cared).
Once I entered Commerce/Business University I had to up my job search game and my interview skills – and so I started applying for the non-retail and/or server jobs.
Eventually I was going to graduate – and eventually I was going to have to grow up’ish. I needed a full time job, and one that actually used my skills.
The Search Began!
It turns out even the wanna-be grown up’ish job interviews were also very typical – with a twist of formality, stuffiness, and attitude. Each interview it felt like you were never ‘good enough’ to work for x company. These individuals were taking their jobs tooooo seriously. The whole process sucked! It was like going to the dentist — you didn’t want to go, but you had to go. Gotta get your interview experience and practise under your belt — uggggg.
In Commerce it was also expected that you dress the part for the job interview – okay so it was not expected – you had too!! So not only were you mentally uncomfortable and awkward for this interview experience, as a women you were also physically uncomfortable in suit-like clothes that you would (or hadn’t yet) ever worn before!! You were coached/told to dress like a man – pretty much.
Deviating….Why did women need to ‘suit’ up for interviews?? Were we trying to blend in with men?? Not sure that I think about this now. As much as we tried – none of us ever looked like the Ally McBeal’s in our suits….and I am pretty sure it was not appropriate for us to wear our skirts that short as was seen on TV. I remember feeling just fugly. Thank goodness times have changed — and physically ‘suiting’ is so 1990’s – phew!
Sorry totally deviated….#sorrynotsorry
The Interview that Changed it All – Good Story!
In looking back to where I started to hone in on my interviewing style I give credit to ONE particular interview during the grown up-ish job search. This one interview helped me set the foundation / atmosphere for what makes makes a GREAT and Productive Interview. It set my own expectations of what I WANT out of an interview.
To this day – this is still my most GREATEST interview experience…and bonus it was also my first grown up’ish job offer!
First Round(s)
The first round of interviews were with two individuals from HR – they were very typical and of course terrifying….full of required judgement on their part. The final round (round three) was with the hiring Director – the actual decision maker.
And I almost screwed it up….
Unfortunately going into round three I was exhausted and defeated from all the ‘practising’ at school, as well as the two pre-HR-interviews. I was nervous, scared, and my confidence was starting to waiver. I probably wasn’t in the best mental state going in (big no-no).
Here’s how the final round went down – the interview started out with a smile – sounds cheesy I know. He (Tim) welcomed me into the office and asked if I needed anything (water?) . He appeared mentally and physically present and engaged in the conversation.
He wanted to get to know me, and what I was looking for in this particular job. He talked about why I should ‘choose’ this Company to work for. He talked about the people, the culture, the challenges, and the work. He was selling me to pick them!
As the interview progressed I got more and more engaged in the conversation. As a result I naturally become more confident and was asking more and more ‘good’ questions. I wanted to learn more!
I left the meeting / conversation / interview so excited and proud of my performance. I remember thinking that was actually ‘fun’. He wanted me to to work for his Company – and I wanted to work for this Company! I also left thinking – this is how ALL interviews should be!
Lesson Learned: Engagement is key!
You Know You are In and/or having a GREAT Interview When:
- The Interviewer makes you feel like they want to be there.
- The Interview feels like a conversation.
- The Interviewer is ‘selling’ you on why you want to work there – insert lots of culture and team discussion.
- You leave the Interview thinking ‘that was fun.’
- Finally – You want to work there – YOU want to be a part of the team!
Caveat: Having met all five of the above does NOT mean you are getting the job, or you end up really wanting the job. What the take away from the five points may mean to me/you is that you have completed a successful and productive interview.
I’ll post more helpful hints and ideas for how to rock an interview – it feels like I am putting the cart before the horse in my first post on Interviews…however this interview I referenced above sets my own ground work for my personal development and expectations into interviews.
Do you need help prepping for an interview? Do you need support setting up your interviews for success – to be productive? Mock Interviews do sound horrid and awkward – but trust me they work! I work with both sides of the table when it comes to interviewing. Give me a call and let’s see if we are a good fit (not an interview) to work together – Jen – Jen@blankslatecoaching.ca
Photos by Heidi Sandstrom, Jakub Gorajek, Hunters Race on Unsplash