Interviewing can be tricky.  We all want to make a good impression and, if it is truly a job that we desire, we may only get one shot when we walk into the room, so we need to make it count.

There are several steps that you can take to increase your chances for a position; you just have to have the discipline to follow through on a few basic items.  I am amazed at how many people I have interviewed in my tenure that just flat out miss the mark when competing for a position.

Never forget that you are one of many candidates potentially going after a position, so if you really want it, take the steps required to ensure you leave a favorable impression and you walk out of the room leaving them with a the feeling that “you” are the one they must hire for this position.

3 tips for success –

1 – Prepare for success – I am amazed at how many people don’t prepare adequately for their interviews.  I’m not talking about how they dress, if they shaved, etc. – I mean REALLY spent some time preparing.  In the age of Social Media, it takes 5 minutes to look up the people you are going to be interviewing with on the various sites that are out there.  Start with LinkedIn, move to Twitter, and finish on Facebook.  Google them – read their bio – try to figure out what makes them tick.  You might find a common interest that you share to make a personal connection when you are in the room and, professionally, people will respect the fact that you did your homework.  Find the job posting (if it’s out there, if not, ask for it from the person scheduling the interview) and READ IT.  A lot of times the job posting can answer any questions you may have about the position and is a great way to “prepare”.

2 – Put together a personal prospectus and have a plan – YES – you really should create a leave behind document, and this isn’t your resume.  Build a prospectus.  Be smart and tactical on how you use it.  Don’t pull it out and dive right into it, wait it until they are DONE with their process and, chances are, they will have a process.  When you sit down, lay it on the table where they can see it.  It will probably prompt them to ask, “What is that…?” and you can say, “This is something we can go through after you’re down with your process.” The people who are interviewing you are also interviewing SEVERAL other candidates.  WHY should they pick you out of the many other candidates they interviewed? Did you stand out?  Did you seem to have your S#!T together, or were you JANC? (Think about it.) If you want to stand out, build a PowerPoint – print it out – bind it – and use it in your interview!

                     Things to include:

• Why (their company)? – Tell them what you love about their company.
• Why this position? – Why is this position so attractive to you? What inspires you about it – motivates you about it?
• Why YOU? – Yes, you first made it about them – now contrast why you are the perfect fit for the company and position.
• How would you be successful? – Lay out a 30 – 60 – 90 day timeline – and a 1 year plan.  Show them you’re the one.

3 – Tactically Ask for the job – This is where I see several candidates fail.  They don’t ask for the position they so badly want, or they don’t effectively know how to ask for the position.   So I will give you the dialogue that I think works and I will frame it with some talking points.

Things to consider:

• Have a “Closing Process” – Move into the interview wrap-up.  Ensure they are done – you should sense it – and then have (and practice) your close.
• Frame them – Start with, “Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to meet with me, I am incredibly impressed with the company and I am really excited about being a candidate for the position…”
• Relate – “I know it has to be difficult to interview so many candidates.”
• Empathize – “And I know it has probably takes you away from a ton of important stuff that you’re trying to accomplish.”
• Position – “I have to be candid – this is a position I really see myself doing.  I could see both of us being successful….”
• OBJECTIONS – (this is the most important part) – “So, since I am really interested in this position, I have to ask (Mrs./Mr. Interviewer) what would keep you from hiring me for this position?” — Don’t let them pick up on the fact that your notebook is still out (yes – you should have thought to bring a notebook to capture what is really important to them about this position). They are potentially about to tell you where your gaps are for this position – LISTEN CAREFULLY and TAKE NOTES.  You MAY not get this position, but you will learn how to better prepare for future interviews AND what you might need to do to become a viable candidate.
• WHAT WAS SAID? – Listen to the objections (yes, there are objections that can turn into REJECTIONS) – and ask yourself, is there a real gap or a perceived gap?  If there is a lack of experience that you may not have communicated effectively, than “tactfully” address the “objection.”  For example, “Oh, that is a great point, I would probably feel the same way looking at a candidate if they lacked the proper experience.  I may not have pointed out that I …”. Fill in the relevant gap here – where you got the experience, how it directly correlates to the experience they are looking for, and how you were successful using that experience.  IF you don’t have the experience, you may not be qualified for this position, so another great tactic would be to ask, “You have a lot of experience in this field, do you have suggestions on how I could get the appropriate experience you require?  What can I do to make myself a better candidate for you and your company?”
• Balance – Don’t be pushy, be engaging.  If you truly have the skills, and the right “make-up” for the position (attitude, aptitude) then let them shine as you seek to understand where you have gaps.
• CLOSING – I have had (on a couple of occasions) people say to me, “There is nothing that would keep me from hiring you for this position…” and I have jokingly (with a smile) replied, “Great, then now we just have to figure out my true value to the organization so we can both get back to being productive…”

These are my words – and thoughts.  Several people will have many different opinions and experiences and I hope that they share them as well so that others can be successful in pursing their dreams.

Always remember, there are never failures, only new opportunities to learn and improve.