Think of job interviews as a 3-act play
During a job interview, act one takes five to 15 minutes and is an introduction of characters. This is the get-to-know you stage where the tone, mood, and pacing of the interview is set. Veteran interviewers say these early moments are accurate predictions of things to come. When you have a couple of dozen interviews under your belt, this stage will give you an indication of what’s ahead.
Typically, considerate, easygoing interviewers will welcome you warmly as soon as you walk through the door. They’ll get up to greet you, shake your hand firmly, and some might ask if you’d like coffee or a cold drink before beginning.
A more rigid interviewer presents a colder reception. They will offer a limp, half-hearted handshake and bypass comforting amenities to get to the business at hand. Don’t jump to conclusions. Just because the interviewer is not the easiest or most gracious person you ever met doesn’t mean they are going to chop you into little pieces with mindbending questions. Like yourself, they could be nervous or uncomfortable. Or maybe they have 15 more applicants to interview and wants to get you out of the way. Either way, take it in stride, and don’t take anything the interviewer does or says personally.
Whatever the greeting, expect a light, chatty exchange before the interview gets seriously underway. But don’t think these introductory moments are not important. They are as important as the guts of the interview. The interview begins as soon as you walk through the door.
Are you relaxed and comfortable and are introductions easy for you? How quickly do you adjust to new situations? These are just a couple of the traits indicating whether you’re right for the job.
Expect small talk as an ice breaker. The interviewer may start off with some observations, sports scores, traffic or politics. Go with it and get involved with the conversations. Interviewers set the pace. They’re orchestrating the show and will let you know when they’re ready to change the subject.
Act two: The interrogation
This part of the interview lasts 40 minutes to one hour. Accounting for the bulk of the interview, this is where the interviewer gathers most of the information. If the introductory act went well, the interviewer will agilely downshift you into act two without you realizing it. Sit back and just answer the questions. Don’t try to second-guess interviewers. They have an agenda, a battery of question and issues they plan to cover.
Interviewers have their own styles. Some have a laundry list of questions in front of them. Others ad lib. Some take notes during an interview, others don’t. Whatever their technique, as soon as you exit, a crisp summation of your performance will be filed in their computer. If the situation is favorable, you’ll be called back within a week. If it wasn’t, you’ll get a form rejection letter two or three weeks later.
Expect a wide battery of questions, from straightforward facts about your background to the more serious and nebulous think questions (“Tell me about yourself ”), which characterize behavioral interviews designed to see if interviewees can think on their feet and deal with the unexpected.
Score high on these question and you’ll be well on your way.
Act three: Your turn
Your chance to ask intelligent questions and read between the lines will last 15 to 30 minutes. Just as introductory small talk was important, the final moments of the interview are equally important. The interviewer controls acts one and two, but it’s up to you to direct the final act by asking intelligent questions.
Score impressively here and you’ll be called for an encore — another interview or possibly a job offer.
Interviewers expect applicants to ask questions. It’s unwritten interview protocol. If you don’t ask questions, it indicates no interest or that you’ll take any job offered. Equally important, it gives you a chance to read between the lines and find out what the job and company is really like.
Here are eight suggested questions that reveal whether you’re a candidate that ought to seriously be considered.
1. Will you describe a typical day?
2. To whom will I be reporting?
3. Could you describe my responsibilities?
4. What happened to my predecessor?
5. Are there performance reviews?
6. What are the possibilities for advancement?
7. Can you tell me a little about the people I will be working with?
8. What learning opportunities are available?