Having an Interview Game Plan

There are countless articles about interview questions, the insight behind them, and how to best formulate your answers. This is an article about what to expect (and why) in the interview process, your role as a candidate in the interview, and tips to succeed. While recruiting for positions, I have been asked numerous times by candidates (post-interview) for feedback on their interview performance. Though it’s not in the best practice to comment on inquiries of that nature, I have always – on a personal level – wanted to give feedback. The forthcoming jottings are intended to touch on some of that. So, here goes…

What to expect on your interview day:

(Pre-Interview Stage)

• You should arrive 10 to 5 minutes early and identify yourself. I say “10 to 5”, because anything within this range is ideal (10 being best), while anything outside is considered too early, or too late. Hopefully, if the company has polite personnel, you will be greeted upon entering the building. If you’ve been given instructions as to which floor and department to report to (likely HR), act accordingly and proceed to that location. If the building has only one floor or is a single office place, state your business to the employee at the first desk in sight and BE POLITE. A single greeting like “Good morning”, or responses like “Yes, ma’am”, or “No, sir” can go a long way, and give employers a good impression as to your character. You never know… the CEO could be emptying the trash in the lobby.
• You’ll be greeted and given a place to sit momentarily. Quite possibly, you may even be seated, then soon after moved to a different waiting room. Seinfeld said it best… “There’s no chance of not waiting… because they call it the Waiting Room!” Though this is not the most enjoyable experience, know that your time to shine is coming. One time, I had a candidate ask, “Are you guys trying to make me sweat?” – in regards to being seated in a waiting area. I laughed and said “of course not”, but thought to myself that it was also so that he would not see us sweat. While waiting, comfort yourself with the knowledge that multiple things are taking place while you’re in the waiting area: They are characteristically wrapping up a meeting, setting up the room with resumes & interview questions, ensuring all participants are present and ready. If the company has its act together, you will not have the opportunity to see Bob run out quickly because he forgot a pen, or Julie rush upstairs to print 3 resumes. More often than not, when you arrive to the interview room, all participants will already be in the room. This is by design. (The candidate did get the job, by the way. While the thing he said threw me a bit, he was actually very well-versed, polished, charming, and performed well in the interview.)
• You’ll be walked to the room where the interview will take place. Pretty straight-forward…
• You’ll be greeted by interview personnel (usually HR & department manager). Give a good, firm handshake to all and introduce yourself, then wait to be seated.
• The interview begins. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for… make the most of it!

(Interview Stage)

• Say thanks. Hopefully, if the company has polite personnel, you will have already been offered a beverage. Usually, when the interview begins, you can expect the interviewer to thank you for arriving, and you may be given a brief moment to speak. Use discretion, and if possible, use that time to thank all for interviewing you, and hand out applicable documentation (application, resume, portfolio, etc.). Once this moment is complete, let your interviewer get things moving along.
• Stay on time. Be aware that they likely have the appointment set for the hour, and ideally have 45 minutes set aside for your meeting (if they have 15 questions, that makes for about 3 minutes per question). Use your best judgement.
• Let the interviewer explain the interview format. Once the interview begins, you should understand that they have developed a format as to how this interview will proceed. He/she will explain the position, introduce all panel members, and tell you the format in the interview (HINT: they will ask you a set number of questions, then you will have a chance to ask questions at the end).
• Don’t reveal everything immediately. Ah, every company’s favorite question to ask: Tell us about yourself! Do not give your entire life story. This is what most people will call an ice-breaker question, with the sole purpose of moving the meeting along and getting the candidate to talk about his or herself. From an HR standpoint, I personally steer clear of this question, as it is way too open-ended and in many cases, candidates will open up about their personal lives. If possible, formulate your response around applicable work history, and give a broad, macro version.
• Show constraint and reserve. As a rule, once you feel you’ve answered a question adequately, you have. As you are sitting on the “hot seat”, your natural instincts will tell you to fill any dead silence with something – which may only cause you to ramble. Though the silence may feel somewhat awkward, it is perfectly acceptable to not continue speaking once you’ve finished. Use your poker face!
• Don’t hijack the interview. In many cases, I have had candidates who have answered a question, then decided to spin off with their own follow-up questions, and attempt to open things up to a discussion. While this may sound harsh, too much of this will likely hinder your chances for hire. While it is very important to connect with your interview panel members, it is also important to display that you can go through your very first meeting without taking complete control of it. 
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the position at hand. If you have a lot of knowledge in the position’s field, be sure to get that message across during your interview.
• Do not flame your current or previous bosses or company policies/direction. Despite endless reports out there advising that candidates refrain from ripping their bosses in interviews, many people still do it. There are tactful ways to get your point across, and if you are able to use subtleties in order to explain delicate content, this may be a good chance to showcase your skills at speaking with diplomacy and finesse.
• Be yourself. Don’t stress over whether or not you will be perceived as a “fit”. You want to be appreciated and liked for who you are… not for who you are NOT!

Once you've formulated your responses to interview practice questions, this list could be helpful in developing your strategy to carry out the interview itself. Hope this info will be of assistance so that you'll be a star in your next interview. Best of luck!