How to Ace an Interview

Interviewing for a job is easy if you understand it is an entirely superficial act. Many candidates are rejected because they bare their souls, express their doubts, or otherwise make a verbal hash of things. The interviewer is not your psychiatrist. Interviewers are only interested in the answers to two questions: (1) Can you do the work?, and (2) Will you fit in with the organization? Here's how to ace these two questions and get hired.

Preparation

It is imperative to do your homework on the company. Being prepared will significantly enhance your confidence during the interview. Thoroughly review the company's Website, research the company on the Internet, and pull up news stories. If you are interviewing with a public company, pull up SEC filings (www.sec.gov) or telephone its investor relations department and ask for an investor kit. Pay particular attention to the chairman's letter in the annual report, which often reveals a lot about the way management views the company. When the conversation reverses with the throat-clearing, "Do you have any questions for me?" you will be ready During your research, try to ascertain something about the firm's culture.

If corporate hierarchy, internal buzzwords, and acronyms pepper their descriptions, you are probably dealing with an inward-looking organization. These organizations tend to be large, uncreative, and rigid in their analysis of candidates. It is important to always put things in their terms. Make a list of questions about corporate initiatives: "How is Quality 2002 important to your operating division?" "What is the profile of this group within the overall organization?" and so on. To get hired by one of these firms, you have to emphasize how similar you are to everyone else. At the same time, you have to hammer home the value you bring to the operating unit.

Externally focused organizations are generally leaner and more bottom line-oriented. They tend to describe things in terms of market opportunities and growth. They like employees who are self-starters and burning with intensity. These firms also want to know what your incremental value is, but are less concerned about whether you fit the mold. They are looking for aggressiveness, creativity, and extreme dedication to goals. You need to demonstrate passion and problem-solving abilities to get hired by a firm like this.

Some firms, particularly larger ones, have elements of both inwardness and market orientation. As the interviewee, you need to figure out what drives the organization so you can play that up. But do not overlook the interviewer, who may disagree with the company line. Successful candidates establish repeated congruence with both the interviewer and the organization. Look for every opportunity to do so during the interview.

First Interview

First interviews are used as initial screens to vet candidates who look good on paper. From the candidate's perspective, the objective of the first interview is simply to leave a favorable impression and be invited back for the next round. Avoid scheduling interviews on Mondays and Fridays, when people are too distracted to concentrate. Attempt to get an interview time when your body functions well. This may not always be possible, but it never hurts to ask. The end of the day is always bad.

Everyone has heard the clichés about first impressions, and in interviews, they largely hold true. Although some people don't mind if you dress casually for an interview, those who do will reject you instantly. Men should play it safe and wear a dark suit, white shirt and conservative tie. Shoes should be highly polished and jackets buttoned. Women should wear a dark suit and white or cream blouse and coordinated shoes. Scarves and tasteful, simple jewelry are acceptable. Both sexes should go easy on the cologne. Your suitcoat should remain on unless the interviewer invites you to remove it. If you are unsure about your ability to dress well for an interview, see John T. Molloy's indispensable guide, New Dress for Success.

Sometimes plain old luck is the key. We are reminded of the true story of a fellow coming out of college with outstanding grades. He went through on-campus interviews and several on-site interviews with a major bank, was offered a position, and accepted. After he had been on the job a few weeks, his supervisor informed him that, due to a clerical error, they had hired the wrong person by mistake. The good news was that he was doing so well he could keep his job.