Winning Ways at Interviews
Marketing communications copywriter Charlie Trumpess takes a
humorous look at how best to tackle that age old terror, the job
interview.
Let's face it, job interviews are about as much fun as a hot wax
with no anaesthetic. After all, attempting to showcase your
talents to a bunch of strangers, usually against the clock and
on someone else's turf is not a natural act. Nevertheless, if
you really want the job then you have to crack the interview
conundrum. Giving 'good interview' is all about the three Ps -
preparation, presentation and positive thinking. All interviews
are basically made of the same hellish stuff, so let's start at
the beginning with the introductions.
The interview introduction can be a slippery customer and one
that can easily get away from you. Once you enter that chamber
of horrors commonly known as the interview room, you're on your
own, never sure if you're saying or doing the right thing. The
harder you try to relax the more nervous you seem to feel.
Simply stringing a coherent sentence together seems like one of
the labours of Hercules. Of course the room is unbearably hot
and your mouth is unusually dry so your tongue swells, cutting
off the oxygen to your brain. Panic grips you. Finally, just as
you're about to turn on your heels and make an undignified dash
for the nearest fire escape, the kindly interviewer extends a
friendly hand and welcomes you. Now what do you do?
Fear not. Introductions don't have to be embarrassing,
distressing or tearful episodes. Introductions can be easy and
fun. You simply have to approach things calmly and logically.
Stop and think about it for a moment. You're meeting someone for
the first time; it's a clean sheet, an opportunity for you to
write your own ticket without preconceptions or bias getting in
the way. All you have to do is arrive on time, dress smartly,
check your teeth for remnants of your last meal, be yourself and
make sure you're wearing industrial strength deodorant. What
could be simpler? To build up confidence you can always practice
introducing yourself in front of the bathroom mirror before you
actually attend any interviews. You might want to try this in
the comfort of your own home rather than in the washroom of your
local pizzeria, where introducing yourself to fellow patrons
might be frowned upon.
Having successfully navigated the interview introductions, your
next big challenge is to deal with an offer of refreshments.
Something as seemingly benign as a cup of tea or coffee can
wreak havoc during an interview. Having to juggle hot liquids in
flimsy plastic cups while convincing a stranger of your
marketing expertise or business acumen should always be avoided.
Accepting or declining refreshments is something of a judgement
call, as you don't want to appear ill at ease, but remember the
risks are high. Loud slurping or gulping won't endear you to the
interviewer while spilling hot chocolate down the front of your
cream and oatmeal business suit is a blunder few candidates can
easily recover from. So, if you find fear and anxiety has made
your mouth as dry as Death Valley on the hottest day of the year
simply ask for a glass of water. It's probably your safest
option.
According to certain eminent psychologists, who study such
things, the first few minutes of any interview are crucial in
determining the final outcome. It seems that first impressions
really do count. With the preliminaries over, it's time to
tackle the main event. By this stage of the game you'll either
be brimming with confidence or desperate for the lavatory, a
cigarette and a family-sized candy bar. Whatever happens you
must stay focussed on the task at hand. 105 seconds is all the
time you're going to get to make the right impression. The key
is not to panic. DON'T PANIC! If you're properly prepared then
nothing can go wrong. You should know exactly what questions to
ask, what to say, and when to say it. Try to anticipate the
questions the interviewer is likely to ask, and have your
answers ready. But remember, before answering pause for a
moment. It looks more natural. Keep your delivery clear,
consistent, positive, short and simple; then you won't go far
wrong. And try not to get sidetracked or go off at a tangent.
However doubtful you are, take it on trust that having your
highly polished, recently manicured fingernails pulled out with
rusty tweezers is far worse than your average job interview.
Interviewers aren't the monsters they might first appear.
They're just ordinary people doing a difficult job. If the
interviewer makes a poor decision then both you and your new
employer will suffer the consequences. The best thing that you
can probably do is place your trust in the interviewer's
experience while checking the chair you're offered for chains
and thumbscrews. At the end of all this torment, after saying
and doing everything right, you still might not get the job.
Sometimes life is fickle. In such a case, try to get some
positive feedback on your interview technique and move on.
Typically, just as you start to relax and feel you're building a
rapport with your interviewer you'll find the whole torturous
process suddenly coming to an end. And it's now, at the end of
the interview that you face your biggest challenge. As your
confidence levels climb it's tempting to drop your guard and
divert from your original interview strategy. Resist this
impulse. Technically known as 'end-of-interview euphoria' you
must fight the urge to say something witty or clever. In the
intoxicatingly thin air of your newly found confidence the
chances are that your wit and cleverness will be interpreted as
glibness or even rudeness. Take it from someone who has suffered
this fate; fight your urges and keep your mouth shut without
you're asked a direct question.
Maybe not the big finale you imagined or rehearsed, but safer by
far to conclude your interview with a thank you, a smile and a
gentle reminder of your contact details. Before you stand up to
leave, especially if you're one of that daredevil breed who
recklessly accepts liquid refreshments, make sure that
everything spillable is out of harm's way. Now, all that remains
for you to do is get out of there. At this last delicate stage
of the proceedings it's advisable not to run. Hazards are
everywhere and tripping over the wastebasket, upsetting the
coffee table or ripping the telephone line out of its
wall-socket will usually go against you. Whenever possible it's
best to leave your potential new employer's office building,
fixtures and fittings just as you found them. Play by the rules
and you'll walk out of there with a new job in the bag.
Congratulations. Alternatively, tomorrow's another day and
another interview.
Charlie Trumpess is a marketing communications copywriter with
over a decade's corporate experience. Today he provides
copywriting services to small and medium size businesses. Visit
http://www.charlie-the-copywriter.co.uk