Interview To Win The Job

Confidence, Preparation and Presentation are all key to winning the big prize. Here are a few insider tips about what employers really want from an interview.

Tip #1 – Context – Be a Story Teller Most people asking the questions are very knowledgeable of their company and the job but they are not always as experienced with conducting interviews. You may be asked questions that only prompt a YES or NO response but be prepared to help the interviewer and tell stories that support your short answers. It’s the context of your stories that will stick in the interviewers mind and give you the advantage over other candidates.

Tip #2 – Ask the Right Questions Employers can tell a lot about you from the questions you ask. For example, if you only ask questions about the company benefit plan then the employer may assume that it’s the benefits rather than the job that really interests you. Ask questions about what the the employer wants to accomplish or improve. Ask about the boss’s priorities, goals and objectives. By asking questions about results then the interviewer will assume you are a results oriented person. Results – That’s what they really want!

Tip #3 – Dress (better than) the Part You only have one chance to create a first impression. The first minute will subconsciously influence whether the interviewer will ask questions that funnel you into the job or filter you out. Arrive at your interview dressed in a way that makes the interviewer immediately assume that you are the one. Whatever the dress code is for the job, go to the interview dressed better than that.

The Close – An interview is a sales call where you are selling yourself. All good sales people know that you must ask for the order to close the deal. Don’t leave without asking your closing questions. “Will you offer this job to me?”; “Is there a date that you would like me to start?”; “What can I do that help make this decision easy for you?”; “Can we schedule the appointment for the next stage in the process?” If you don’t ask – you don’t get.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The People Bank, is a division of Design Group Staffing Inc., employs more recruiters with the Certified Personnel Consultant, CPC professional designation than any other firm in Canada. Steve Jones, President of The People Bank is a CPC course conductor for the staffing industry Ethics and Business Practices certification module and Staffing Industry Legal Practices certification module.