In-Person Interviews Begin Before You Get The Call

July 12, 2019

What You Need To Know:

The interview is almost never about confirming your ability to do the job. Without fail the employer is 95 to 100 percent sure you can do the job. If there’s an inkling of doubt, you probably won’t be getting an interview. Companies do not have time to waste figuring out if a candidate is suitable for the position at the interview. As such, your focus should be on why you are a better choice than the next person waiting to be interviewed, who on paper, can clearly do the job as well. Ultimately, the interview is about finding out if you are a good fit for the organization.

How It All Starts:

As a potential candidate you must understand that the hiring process starts when the employer reviews your application, cover letter, resume, and any other documents you may have submitted.

The application and resume are among the first things an employer sees. These documents are your direct representatives. They give an employer an idea of who you are, and you will be judged by these documents. They look at spelling, readability, and if your resume says anything of substance. Employers have read job descriptions on applications that spanned over 400 words and walked away not knowing what the person did.

Once a Hiring Manager decides your credentials warrant an interview, they make assessments based on that information. Thus, your interview will have been influenced long before you walk in the door.

Applications and Resumes:

It’s important to complete job applications in their entirety. Incomplete applications are an indication of the ability and or willingness to follow instructions, as well as your focus on attention to detail. The words “see attached resume” should never appear on your application. In cases where the employer allows applications only, with no other attachments; completeness, spelling, grammar and relevance are paramount. Your resume has one purpose and one purpose only; to produce an interview. Do not embellish your resume as this will only return to haunt you. For example, as a commercial truck driver, it is highly unlikely that you take weekly meetings with the company CEO. So, it is best to leave that off of your resume.

Interview Do’s And Don’ts:

Appropriate dress for the interview is very important. It tells the employer that you care enough to want to make a good impression. The goal is to look neat and well-groomed. Do your best to avoid excessive jewelry, this includes gaudy watches and earrings that are too big. When you are speaking try to limit the amount of times you use your hands. In general, excessive use of the hands can be a little distracting.

The Interview Proper

Be sure to research the company you are interviewing with before you walk in the doors. Most candidates don’t do this, and it can be a costly mistake. You want the employer to know that you are interested in the position you have applied for and that you know some facts about your potential future company, like what they do and how they got started. You also want to make sure that you speak clearly and concisely when answering questions. Explain your ideas in detail as necessary, but do your best to try and stay on point. Keep in mind that your response to the question; “Tell me a little about yourself?”, should never begin with “I was born…”. Instead, tell your potential employer about your job history and how your experience is pertinent to the job you are interviewing for.

Get a feel for the tone of the room; is it serious, and tense, or is the tone more on the lighter side, and jocular. This will help you determine how you answer questions. Some in person interviews can be done by a panel. If this is the case, make sure you are engaging each of the interviewers, eye contact is very important. And remember what you put on your application and resume because interviewers will ask questions that stem from what they have read. This is especially true if they see anomalies.

Our blog is full of information valuable to employers and those interested in a new career. Please feel free to contact us to explore the possibilities.

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