You’ve looked hard, you’ve worked hard, you’ve gotten that perfect shoe in the door...now it’s time to blow them away in the interview. I’ve conducted about a hundred interviews, and I’ve seen the good, the bad, and everything in between. What are some good interview strategies to win over hearts and minds? It may be easier than you think.
Arrive like a leader. First impressions count, and no matter what the position, demonstrating confidence sets you up for success. For example, your unwavering tone of voice, strong handshake, and direct eye contact all send signals of your professionalism. If you carry yourself in a way that suggests you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else?
Be curious. Even the best leaders acknowledge they are always learning. Your new employer wants to know that you are the right person for the job. But, there’s no one on the planet who knows everything, and you’re no exception. Make it clear that you have an appetite for learning, not just the know-how to do the essentials.
Be kind. You may think the only person you need to impress is your potential new boss. Not so. A lot of interviewers observe how the candidate treats the receptionist, the secretaries, and anyone else they might run into along the way. Good bosses know that kindness counts.
Be prepared to show your work. You may leave the interview room with no request to provide a writing sample or any other evidence of your professional chops, but the savvy candidate comes prepared. What better answer is there to the question “Have you written on this topic?” than, “Yes and here you go!”
Know that even tough questions are opportunities. In some of your more challenging interviews, you might be thrown a curve ball. Don’t fret! Every question is a chance to shine. Walk into the interview room with a list of things you want them to know about you, and use each question as an opportunity to tell them. Questions like, “What was your biggest failure?” can allow you to show how you learned from a setback and used that experience to become the person they want to hire.
