| You've probably read numerous job interview tips | | | | qualified candidate for a management position. He had |
| which list the ways to respond to difficult interview | | | | begun his career in sales at an excellent company and |
| questions: Tell me about yourself; What are your | | | | had attained a MBA. Initially, I had resisted arranging an |
| work-related weaknesses? Why are you leaving your | | | | interview with this candidate because he was definitely |
| current employer? These are the usual dreaded | | | | overly qualified for the position. However, my director |
| questions that we all expect to hear from interviewers. | | | | wanted to bring him in, and so we moved forward |
| Typically interviewees are advised to create | | | | with the interview. |
| well-prepared and rehearsed scripts to respond to | | | | Apparently, this young candidate had hit a career snag |
| these dreaded questions. And so, during the course of | | | | and was aimlessly submitting his resume to classified |
| the interview, interviewees sit on the edge of their | | | | ads, job boards, associates, etc., with the hope of |
| seats waiting to respond, trying to remember the | | | | landing a decent position. He was well prepared; |
| correct answers. And consequently, the interview | | | | however, I could see the wear and tear of his job |
| becomes a race, a highly tense setting designed to | | | | campaign as we dug deeper into his resume and his |
| stay one step ahead of the other with scripted | | | | goals. |
| conversation, pre-planned positioning, and | | | | During the interview, he worked tirelessly to present |
| second-guessing. Within this scenario, the possibility of | | | | himself as the ideally qualified candidate for the position. |
| effectively assessing the position and being able to | | | | He provided all the right answers (the ones everyone |
| evaluate how you might fit within the company is | | | | has been coached to say) and discussed the specific |
| minimized. | | | | results his career had produced. He had read our |
| Ideally, the interviewer and the interviewee should | | | | company's job description, reviewed our mission |
| operate within certain mutual goals. To effectively hire | | | | statement, and was prepared to discuss it with me. |
| someone, the interviewer needs to use questions that | | | | However, he could not provide information regarding |
| lead to meaningful responses and provide a clear | | | | his own career vision or goals. He merely repeated the |
| picture of the candidate. At a minimum, the interviewer | | | | same stuff I've read in numerous "how-to" manuals |
| is looking for information regarding work assignments | | | | and books about interviewing. When I asked him about |
| you've handled, the specific steps undertaken to | | | | his long term plans, he replied, "I would like to be in a |
| achieve results, and the direct results accomplished. | | | | position to fully and successfully contribute to your |
| As an interviewee, you have to be able to deliver this | | | | company." Nice response - - but what did that mean? |
| information....no matter the question. Additionally, as an | | | | In the end, we extended an offer to another candidate |
| interviewee, the only way you'll be able to respond | | | | who had presented himself as eager to connect with |
| with full confidence (without referring to a script) is by | | | | our clients and ready to discuss solutions for our |
| ensuring that you've done your homework. To | | | | company's needs. His credentials were not as strong |
| confidently manage the interview, it's important to | | | | as the supposedly "ideal candidate," however, we |
| know where you're heading - - to know your vision. | | | | could envision how he would fit within our organization |
| A well organized search for new career opportunities | | | | and our company culture. |
| requires a comprehensive strategy. Most importantly, | | | | If you create and maintain a path towards your own |
| your search should flow directly from your own | | | | Career Vision, you will be able to answer those |
| Career Vision. The vision of where you see yourself in | | | | dreaded interview questions without feeling nervous. |
| the long term. Considering all the changes in the | | | | You"ll begin to realize that the interview is not the most |
| workplace, it's easy to lose sight of your vision, of | | | | important tactic - - it's only one step within a bigger |
| where you're heading. You may have to change the | | | | picture. It's your vision that's essential, not a |
| path you're following; however, it's even more | | | | well-prepared and rehearsed script based on |
| important never to let go of your fundamental plan or | | | | someone else's words. Successful interviews happen |
| vision. Every step you undertake to find the new job, | | | | when you're able to effectively convey your vision, |
| the new career opportunity, or the promotion should be | | | | your passion, and the work-related results of your own |
| based on your Career Vision. | | | | efforts. |
| A number of years ago, I recall interviewing a highly | | | | |