Interviewing 102: Separate Yourself

My first post was about very basic interviewing/job finding tips. I wanted to go a little more in depth about some creative ways to ace your interview and get a job. The theme is going to be “Separate Yourself”. There is a large highway that all candidates ‘drive on’ and very few deviate from that path. Some on this proverbial highway are in beat up cars (unprofessionally dressed), some are in luxury cars (very spiffy and professionally dressed), some are in semis (talk way too much), some are in Subarus or Toyotas (good talking, effective communicators) but the ones that win it all take the jetpack that only uses the highway to take notes and learn routes but goes beyond the typical vehicle. Lets go backwards, here are some ways to separate yourself.

1. After the interview

Send a letter.

• Some people say this is old fashioned and out of date. Not true. When it comes to finding a job you want to do anything in your power to beneficially separate yourself from other candidates. Tip: Send the letter the day before the interview. This allows the letter to get there soon after you interviewed and could potentially change the recruiters mind if they were going to part ways. Tip #2: This one is free. Make sure you write as clearly as possible.

Follow-Up.

• One week after the interview, send a quick follow-up email. If a few days go by with no response give them a quick call. Don’t pester beyond this but you want to make sure they know you are serious about the position. It is OK to ask about the next steps and when you can expect to hear back from them. In some cases, depending on the position and managers involved, the decision making timeline could be much longer than you think.

2. During the interview

Phone Interview.

• Be thoughtful, take time on answers. It is OK to take time between the question and your response. During a phone interview time delays relay good information and since you are not in person this is important. A recruiter/manager will be paying attention not just to your answer but also to the delivery. They want to get to know YOU and not just a rehearsed answer. An answer that is quick and unorganized can cry BS to a recruiter/hiring manager. There is little worse than having to backtrack or dig yourself out of a hole of BS. My first job was on a dairy farm. I know. It is better to say you don’t know than make something up.
• Know the answers. This sounds inconsistent but let me explain. Every interviewer will ask questions in this vein: Why are you a fit for this job? What experience do you have that benefits this role? What ideas do you have to be successful? Give an example of a project you did where you had to show X? If you researched the company and the job, you should brainstorm about what questions they may ask and why you are a fit and what you did to exemplify that. Some questions may be about technical skills you don’t have. Be honest but bring up an example where you had to learn and adapt.

Face-to-Face Interview.

• Bring work/idea examples. Many jobs, unless very project based, will not require work examples but do your best to create something. A majority of candidates will simply not bring anything because they were told they didn’t need to. Make a power point or graph, bring an annual review or personal reference check, or create a quick 1, 2, and 3 year outline/milestone list. Even if your idea is way off this will show that you took some time to think, research, and plan. This will separate you from other candidates taking the same highway.
• Prepare good questions. A lot of people want a job, any job; most people interview in that way. The best candidates know WHAT job they WANT and are a HOT commodity to employers. You have to prepare and communicate in a way that shows you want THIS particular job. One way that shows your diligence to finding a job that fits you is by asking and preparing good questions about the company, your manager, their management style, training, direction of company, etc...

3. Before the interview

Get coffee.

• Network. Meet with people. Invest in your brand by getting involved in different groups where there are professional events. Ask people to sit down with you and get to know them. Remember them and follow up on your discussion. A vast portion of interviews and hires are a result of a connection, a referral. In fact, a recent study surveyed different HR individuals and 78% said the #1 way they get hires are through referrals. (HR Daily Advisor Research Feb, 2017) 

Send a letter.

• I said this already but I believe it is that important. It is the mentality more than anything behind the letter that is important. A letter says many things to a manager or recruiter. It shows appreciation, drive, self-confidence, humility, interest, and professionalism.

In conclusion, these are all efforts to improve your chances. There is no golden activity that 100% guarantees a job but there are activities that improve your chances and betters your opportunity. I believe the most important part in finding a job and getting to the interview is through networking. Getting to know people in different companies with various influences will be the key. Keep an eye out for my next article on that topic.