Top 5 Things To Do in An Interview to Ensure Success

1. Above all else, the best advice my mentor gave me when I was getting ready to interview was “Do the job in the interview”.  Simply put, you should know what the job description calls…all you have to do is use examples from your experience to SHOW how you have done the job before, performed it well, and have the ability to be groomed/developed for further advancement.

2. Smile and be friendly…SHOW interest. You’d be surprised how often this one is ignored or underutilized.  Companies need to hire the right background for sure, but they WANT someone they like and can get along with…someone they feel will fit into their team culture.  By being friendly, showing interest (simple things like nodding and leaning forward show you are engaged, positive eye contact and a warm smile along with a friendly tone will go a long way to demonstrate this).

3. Ask questions…I can’t say it more plainly then that, you need to ASK questions in the interview to show interest, learn key facts that could make or break this as an opportunity for you, and to engage the interviewer more fully. However, a word of caution…when asking questions, make sure your questions reflect what YOU can do for the company, not what the company can do for you.  This is not the time to ask about salary, benefits, or taking time off.

4. Answer the question that is asked and give good details. Oftentimes I hear of an interview not going well and it is either from the candidate not answering the question they were asked (or not all parts of it) or not giving enough detail.  Companies want to know that you have good experience and familiarity with the work or concepts they need you to take over, and the closer your answers parallel their work the better.  I recommend using the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to ensure you give adequate information.
   1. Good example:
      1. Tell me about your leadership style: I try to lead from the front, arriving early to work and often staying late to see that all necessary tasks have been completed.  I take on a fair amount of the work needing to be done, but also believe in delegating work to ensure the folks that I work with have a chance to grow and develop too.  When delegating I ensure they have the proper training and resources to do the task, then we set up deadlines and checkpoints to go over their work.  I ensure they are able to reach me for questions, and when the job is done I give them praise in public when the job is done correctly, and talk with them privately if not done well and changes need to be made.  I allow them to use their own creativity in getting work done (when appropriate) and encourage friendly competition and collaboration.
   2. Bad Example
      1. Tell me about your leadership style: I give my guys the work they need to do, I make sure they know they can ask questions if they have them, I don’t micromanage, and I give them credit when they do a good job.

5. THANK the interviewer for their time and REAFFIRM to them your fit, interest, and that you’d like to pursue the role further. You’d be surprised how many people are so anxious to get out of the interview (it can be a scary experience) that they fail to CLOSE the interview and TELL the interviewer that they have the right background, are excited about the role, and would like to progress to the next step of the interview.
   1. Good example:
      1. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me. I know this is something I can do well and am very interested in moving forward in the process and showing you that I am indeed the candidate you are looking for.
   2. Bad Example
      1. Thanks for your time today, take care.

About the writer Brian Howe:

Brian Howe is a former Air Force Captain and has been an officer candidate recruiter for Bradley-Morris (www.bradley-morris.com/bh) for 6 ½ years.  For more helpful advice visit his Linked-in page at www.linkedin.com/in/brianhowe1 and his USAF Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AirForceOfficerCareers or email him at [email protected]

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