Turn a bad interview into success story
Q: I wouldn’t say I like interviewing even though people tell me I am a good presenter and answer all the questions correctly. When I rehearse questions, I feel uncomfortable and too formal. I think the interview flows better when I answer questions without a plan. However, a couple of weeks ago, I had a bad interview that was embarrassing, and I do not want to repeat the situation. Is it possible to turn around a bad interview?
A: Usually, a successful interview is up to the one making the hiring decision and is based on how well you met their needs and provided good answers. While you cannot possibly prepare for every job interview down to the exact question, it is possible to grasp the interviewer’s style and adjust quickly.
Job candidates often prepare for interviews with expectations, especially regarding the types of questions that might be asked. There is nothing wrong with this approach, except your plan could be thrown off if the interviewer uses more of a conversational style to understand your skills concerning the job.
Conversational-style interviews have a less interrogative feel, as if you were exchanging information without the pressure to give a correct answer. The challenge with chatting is that candidates often drop their guard, and instead of focusing on marketing their skills, they adopt a more social tone.
Keep your focus on the reason for the meeting. It is a business discussion. The interviewer saw something in your background that interested them. Even though the meeting might resemble a conversation, it is an interview to determine how your skills match their needs.
Some interviewers apply a question-and-answer style to every candidate. They ask questions, and your answers should be clear, concise, and to the point. As a candidate, be aware that brief answers to their questions might not give the interviewer enough information.
The mistake around trying to answer every question practiced is that your answers can come off as memorization — giving answers without passion. Being too rehearsed can be just as extreme as winging the answers without much thought.
One of the best ways to prepare for interviews is to know your strengths, and the combination of skills that makes you unique. In addition, take the time to research the company. Research gives you more information than you might realize in answering questions. Waiting until the last minute to conduct research on a company is not a good plan. Instead, take time to consider the selling points that would interest an interviewer.
You can turn a bad interview around by adapting to the interviewer’s style and understanding their goals of hiring candidates who can help them solve their problems. When leaving the interview, always express your enthusiasm and summarize your skills. Your choice of words is powerful, and the last impression leaves a message that will often determine the next steps.
Kimberly Thompson, M.Ed., is a national board-certified counselor and career coach. Send questions to kim@careerrescue.com or visit her blog at chron.com/jobs.