"I know I could do the job if they would just give it to
me. Why do I have to prove myself? I meet all the
qualifications they are looking for. I could do this job
with my eyes closed. Can't they tell from my resume that I
am qualified?"
Ever say any of those things – or at least think them? You
are not alone. Most people dread going to job interviews.
In fact, some people "hate" job interviews!
First of all, this is not an exact science and there is a
good deal of subjective judgment that goes on. It's very
much like dating or starting a new friendship with someone.
You have to get to know the other person, and you usually
do this by asking questions and telling each other
"stories" about your past.
That's basically what you do in a job interview, but it
doesn't feel that way because you feel put on the spot and
judged. It's time to realize that there will be certain
things that you can control and certain things that are out
of your control.
There are two basic questions behind every interview:
1."Can he/she do the job?" (I am assuming you are qualified
or you probably wouldn't have been invited to the
interview).
2. "Do we like her – is she going to fit in?" (This area is
more significant than you might think).
Because the interview is a "getting to know you" process,
and if you are not being true to yourself, you are not
showing the interviewer the "real" you. That is unfortunate
because sooner or later you will have to "come out of the
closet" and be yourself. And then the trouble often begins.
I have a question for you. How do you feel about the people
that are interviewing you? Are they the type of people you
would like to work with/for? You are checking them out (or
should be) while they are interviewing you. This is
something that most people forget.
Below are some common questions from candidates with
interview dread.
"I am often invited for second interviews – is that a good
sign?"
If you are being asked back for a second interview they
must have liked something about you and your experience or
they wouldn't even consider bringing you back. You have
passed through the first tunnel – "Can she do the job?"
Now, they're going to look at you a little closer to see if
they "like you." Will you fit in?
"The feedback I received via my friend was that the
interviewers found me "too confident."
What should I conclude from that feedback?"
There is a difference between being "cocky" and being
"confident." Anything taken to extreme is not good.
I believe the best mind-set to go to an interview with is
that of a "consultant." This company has a problem and you
are there to find out what it is. You will then let them
know you heard and understand the problem and have the
solution to their problem – if you do have one. As a
consultant you can fix their problem – do the work they
need to have done.
"They asked me about my weakness and I brought up my
dominant personality as one of my weak points and explained
that I'm aware of it and try to manage it. I have a feeling
that put them off. "
Bad idea - you are too honest and showing all your cards –
too soon.
The best answer to the "weakness" question is to talk about
something that you are working on improving or changing.
Stay away from personality. It will be a while before you
change a "dominate personality."
Think of something that you would like to do better: be a
better speaker, be more patient with people who don't pull
their weight, be more selective when you take on more
assignments, etc.
There is a technique called "the sandwich technique" where
you start with a positive statement; slip in the negative
(weakness), and then tell how you are working on improving
that trait.
"I was told the HR manager was actually scared of me."
I wouldn't let the feedback from one woman throw you off
track. It may be that you are interviewing at the wrong
places. Maybe you need to seek out a company who is looking
for a more aggressive attitude. I am a believer in the fact
that if you are the "right person" for the job the
interviewers will overlook a lot of other differences or
shortcomings.
These examples cover some of the more common problems faced
by candidates. You can see that others are facing similar
fears and worries in job interviews every day. The main
thing is for you to control what you can control – prepare
for the interview, and to let go of the things that you do
have any control over. If someone is "scared" of you, it's
not going to be a very rewarding relationship for anybody.
One last thought – think of this as a dating process. You
did not (hopefully) get a marriage proposal after every
date. You will not get an offer after every interview.
Sometimes you just have to let go. It is out of your
control.
----------------------------------------------------
Carole Martin, America's #1 Interview Expert and Coach, can
give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy
of her FREE 9-part "Interview Success Tips" report by
visiting Carole on the web at http://www.interviewcoach.com
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