Understood: The Art of Conducting a Successful Job Interview
Many very correct things have already been said very often about job interviews. This article focuses on some aspects that have been less illuminated so far.
Generally speaking:
According to a study by the "Human Resource Management Magazine" in 2017, 81% see applications as an opportunity. Exactly. The art lies merely in neither overdoing it nor hiding your light under a bushel. Applying is like flirting. You prepare for it but want to be yourself. You want to show who you are and still highlight your best side. Even if at that moment all the negative details come to mind that currently do not qualify you for the advertised job. You plan to enter into a hopefully longer (business) relationship and should therefore not pretend too much. The facade cannot be maintained forever. Every application is a social reorientation regarding places, people, circumstances. If you want to go somewhere, you should at least know the direction. Anyone who only wants to get "away from" something else (poor pay, grumpy boss) diminishes their chances from the start. Better to determine the direction first. It helps to answer the following questions for yourself: What can I really do well? What do I really want? What should future colleagues remember me for? What can I do that is not listed in the job advertisement but could be very useful for the job/company (someone applying for a marketing position who can program well should highlight this—even if it was not directly asked for in the advertisement).
Who am I?
Prepare two to three stories about yourself for the interview that vividly illustrate what has made you who you are today. What were the defining experiences that shaped your professional and personal decisions? It is important that you convey a clear picture of yourself to the company. Try not to think too much about what the company might need, etc. Its "secret agenda" is not accessible anyway. Rather, present what you can offer in a clear light.
The "Devil's Advocate"
It is valuable in preparation to gather all the questions that could be asked and whose answers you find complicated. This is exactly what you should do beforehand: preferably together with someone you trust.
Courage to leave gaps
Do not try to prepare every detail. Focus on the aspects where a positive connection can be established between the company/position and you as a person. Where are the commonalities? The larger the communicative "dance floor" on which you move with your interview partner, the easier such a conversation will be.
Curiosity
Be curious, both before and during the conversation. Imagine you are NOT applying to the company but are simply invited as a guest. What would you be specifically interested in? If you find that nothing at all really interests you, you should possibly reconsider your application fundamentally.
On foreign terrain
The first words after the handshake always feel awkward. It remains small talk. Small talk always pursues two goals: to put yourself in a positive mood and to create a common positive point of connection. No one has ever landed a job through small talk alone, but without small talk, the doors remain completely closed. Reason enough to actively shape it. For example: What do you like about the place where you were invited for the interview? This can be anything from the light to chairs to coffee cups. What peculiarities did you notice on the way to the interview?
"Tell me something about yourself"
The famous opening question: "Please tell me something about yourself" has two functions for the interviewer: 1) To really give you the chance to present yourself 2) To find points of connection for the further course of the conversation This part of the conversation is extremely important and good for you to influence. Here applies: The most important first. Bring in something that is really important to you, that makes you professionally interesting. Under no circumstances should you recite your CV!
The task itself:
You can also think about this in advance: What really interests you about the job? Where do you see the challenges? What do you do with ease? Which tasks do you want to grow with? The "successor" question is also great: Imagine you do this job, for which you are applying, very well and get promoted. What will you have achieved then? How should your successor continue the job after you?
The outfit question
In terms of clothing, the big picture should be right at the job interview; one or two details may gladly stand out in color or pattern. Important: try on the chosen outfit at a similar occasion (at least 3 hours long) beforehand. If you still feel comfortable in the outfit after this time, it will also be comfortable during the interview. If you are changing industries, it is worth taking a look at the customs of that industry. Using these as a basis, you can add your individual touch.
Choice of words:
Structure the conversation in advance for yourself: what must be said/asked, what is rather secondary and can be left out if necessary? And—yes, of course, you may take notes into the conversation. It is not an exam. Make sure you communicate both effectively and empathetically. "Yes" and "No" answers are efficient but not empathetic at all. Build bridges for your conversation partner. Make it easier for the other person to connect the next question. This may also help steer the conversation in your direction. Use verbs as often as you can. Better to say "I managed ten clients" than "I was a Key Account Manager." Slang and marketing jargon are thankfully quickly seen through nowadays. Better to leave them out right away. However, you should be familiar with the technical terms of the respective industry. Listen carefully. Sounds banal but is especially forgotten in stressful situations (and a job interview is always stressful). We often listen only to get our own message across, not to answer the actual question. In serious cases, asking for clarification is a valid tool ("What exactly do you mean? Are you more concerned with x or y?")
Environment
Despite nervousness: be attentive. Try to consciously perceive as much of your surroundings as possible. The colors at reception. The view out of the window. Maybe it smells like coffee somewhere? You can use all these perceptions to enrich the conversation. Also, it distracts inconspicuously and relaxes. Important: Stay true to yourself. Even if the possible future colleague passing by is dressed seemingly 100 times better than you, acknowledge it kindly—without judging.
Body language
Small physical changes during the conversation often work relaxing wonders. Slightly adjust the position of the chair. Turn the other shoulder forward. Stand up to pour water. Laughing also relaxes wonderfully. It is difficult to communicate with people frozen like salt pillars.
Meta-communication:
If you are nervous or so excited that it is noticeable, make it a topic and link it with a positive statement about the company: "With so many quarters of double-digit growth, one can get nervous..." This costs attention and quick wit but is worth it.