Interview Tips: 10 Tips to Help You Hire the Right Person

Studies show that 40 percent of all hires fail. Indeed, hiring the wrong person is a huge waste of both time and money. Here are 10 tips to help you interview and hire the right person:

1. Do your homework. Think the position through thoroughly. Make a list of the skills, talents, and abilities you want for this job. We call this a competency matrix, but it’s really just a list of all the things you want. Prioritize the list, and craft questions based on what you want and need the most. And read their resumes thoroughly, check references, and do a Google search on the candidate.

2. Establish a rapport. Strike a friendly tone and use open body language. Make the interview a conversation not an interrogation. Explain the job, explain your hiring process, and be sure to thank the candidate.

3. Mind your biases. People tend to like people like themselves, so be careful you’re not just hiring yourself. Studies show that most interviewers make up their minds about a candidate in the first two minutes of the interview, so try to be open to people who are different than you.

4. Be consistent. Make sure you ask each candidate the same questions. At the end, you want to compare apples to apples, and you can’t do that if you haven’t been consistent.

5. Use behavioral-based interview questions. Past performance is indicative of future performance, so ask about real experience instead of hypotheticals. For example: “Mary, tell me about a time when you handled an irate customer” or “Steve, “tell me about a time when you lead a team.”

6. Take notes. This seems obvious but few people do it. Be sure to take notes during the interview so you can remember things later. And if you’ve made your list of competencies you can check them off or apply a rating scale.

7. Listen well and ask follow up questions. Remember, make the interview a conversation, not an interrogation.

8. Don’t forget to sell. Chances are, the candidate has other options, so the interview is an opportunity for you to sell them on the position. The candidate is also interviewing you and your company.

9. Ask the reception staff about the candidate. How did they treat your reception staff when they came in? How did they behave? This is important!

10. Follow up with the candidate as soon as possible. You are a brand, so make sure your interview process is positive. Don’t leave them hanging; it reflects poorly on your company.

Good luck!

~~~

For more information about Careerstone Group, visit careerstonegroup.com.

For more workplace tips, visit careerstonegroup.blogspot.com.

Ten Tips to Ace an Interview

The interview is the most critical aspect of landing a new job. If you’ve gotten to this stage, your foot is in the door. (For the purposes of this post, we will assume that this is a real job interview, not an informational one.)

Interviews are organic experiences. They involve real people, with different personalities, in different settings, and with different energies. Every interview is different.

That said, most interviews follow a similar trajectory, so the same rules and strategies apply. The key is to prepare yourself. Do not think you can wing it. You can’t. Take it seriously, and prepare yourself as if it’s the first interview you’ve ever had.

So, prepare, prepare, prepare. Here are 10 tips to ace the interview:

1. Do some research on the company and the industry. Don't just look at the company homepage. Look at the company in the framework of the industry. Google them and the industry. How are they positioned in the industry? What are they doing that is new or innovative? What are their challenges and the challenges industry-wide? What are their competitors up to?

Jack is right, as always. Make sure your handshake is firm.

2. Look at your resume and skill set. How do your qualities match what the company needs? Try to find ways to match your skills and experience with what the company needs now and in the future, and be ready to talk about it.

3. Think about the impression you want to leave. What are the three qualities or characteristics that you want the interviewer to remember about you? What are the things they are looking for in an employee, and how will you convey to them that you have those qualities? Think specifically about how you are going to do that.

Make sure you aren't dressed too casually.

4. Practice basic interview questions. There are six to 10 basic interview questions that almost every interviewer asks, ranging from your weaknesses to why they should hire you. Here are two good articles to read:

CNN: The Top Six Interview Questions

Monster.com: The Top 10 Interview Questions

I highly recommend that you practice your answers, out loud, several times. If you can, get a friend to role-play and help you with your answers.

5. Ask good questions. When the interviewer asks you, “Do you have any questions?” Do not say, “Nope, I think I’ve got it.” Worse, don't say, “Yea, what’s the starting salary?”

You need to have good, specific, intelligent questions about the company and the industry. Ask things like, what are some new trends in the industry that we may be working on? What are some of the challenges you've faced in the past year? What are some of the challenges that people in this position have faced? Asking questions shows you are engaged, thoughtful, intelligent, and interested.

But do not ask about salary. Wait until they fall in love with you; that’s when you have the most leverage. And don’t ask about vacation, either.

6. Go in with a positive attitude. Fake it if you have to. Be upbeat. No one wants to hire a downer. Do some exercises to feel confident and powerful. Watch this great video from social psychologist Amy Cuddy about how to do it.

Strike a power pose to gain confidence. It works!

7. Be confident, but not arrogant. There is a huge difference between arrogance and confidence. Don't brag or boast. Simply discuss your successes and talk about how your team made achievements. Say “we” not “me.” Confident, capable people share credit; arrogant ones take it.

8. Listen as much as you talk. Arrogant people talk about themselves incessantly. Yes, you want to sell yourself, but you have to listen, too. Plus that will help you ask questions later.

9. Dress for success. First impressions are critical, so dress appropriately. If your dress is too casual it will leave a negative impression. Dress for the job you want, and dress appropriately for the industry.

But don't do this power pose in the interview.

If it’s a casual industry, say a start-up where the employees and bosses wear shorts and flip-flops to the office, you don't want to show up in a three-piece suit, but you also don't want to show up in jeans and a t-shirt. Strike a professional balance without going overboard. How does the most senior person dress? Copy that. Match the industry standards.

10. Watch your body language. Your demeanor needs to be professional, too. Never be too familiar or chummy. And your body language should be confident and open. So don’t cross your arms or legs, maintain good eye contact, and try not to frown. And be sure to give a good, firm handshake – no limp fish hands! Here is a link to a great piece on positive body language.

Nervous? Do whatever it takes to psych yourself up.

Acing the interview is easy if you prepare yourself. Take it seriously, be ready, and be confident. Good luck!

~

For more information on Careerstone Group please visit our website.

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The Six Most Common Interview Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The interview is the most critical aspect of landing a new job. If you’ve gotten to the interview stage (even an informational one), your foot is in the door!

But instead of acing the interview many people—especially those who are out of practice or who are tired of having undergone so many interviews—make the same mistakes over and over again, sinking their chances.

Here are the six most common mistakes people make in interviews, and how to avoid them:

Mistake #1: Winging it.

This is where you say to yourself, I’ve done this before. How hard could it be? I’ll just be myself. Wrong, wrong, wrong! You cannot wing the interview. You have to prepare for every interview afresh, and you need to be strategic about it.

First, think about the impression you want to leave with the interviewer. What are the three qualities or characteristics you want the interviewer to remember? What are the things they are looking for in an employee, and how will you convey to them that you have those qualities? Think specifically about how you are going to do that.

Second, do some research on the company and the industry. Don't just look at the company homepage; that’s the obvious stuff. Look at the company in the framework of the industry.

Check news sites, blogs, etc. How are they positioned in the industry? What are they doing that is new or innovative? What are their challenges and the challenges industry-wide? What are their competitors up to? And how do your qualities or skills relate? Look at your resume; does it match what the company may be looking for?

Third, practice the basic interview questions. There are at least six basic interview questions that almost every interviewer asks, ranging from what your weaknesses are to why they should hire you. I highly recommend that you practice your answers, out loud, several times. Here are two good articles covering these questions:

• CNN: The Top Six Interview Questions
• Monster.com: The Top 10 Interview Questions

Mistake #2: Not asking any questions.

When the interviewer asks you, “Do you have any questions?” Do not say, “Nope, I think I’ve got it.” Worse, don't say, “Yea, what’s the starting salary?”

You need to have good, specific, intelligent questions about the company and the industry. Ask things like, what are some new trends in the industry that we may be working on? What are some of the challenges you've faced in the past year? What are some of the challenges that people in this position have faced? Asking questions shows you are engaged, thoughtful, intelligent, and interested.

Mistake #3: Going in with a bad attitude.

It’s hard, I know. You may have gone on dozens of interviews and are exhausted by the process. But you have to have an upbeat, positive attitude. A defeatist attitude (“They won't hire me; what’s the point?”) will seep into your body language and your persona. They definitely won't hire you if you have a bad attitude. Be confident and positive. Fake it if you have to. Do whatever it takes to psych yourself up. Play your favorite music. Do your Rocky dance. Whatever it takes, be upbeat. No one wants to hire a downer.

Mistake #4: Coming across as arrogant.

There is a huge difference between arrogance and confidence. One may cost you an opportunity, while the other will impress the interviewer. A potential employer wants to see that you are confident. Don't brag or boast. Simply relay your successes and try to talk about teamwork and how your team made achievements. Say “we” not “me.” Confident, capable people share credit; arrogant ones take it.

And listen as much as you talk. Arrogant people talk about themselves incessantly. Yes, you want to sell yourself, but you have to listen, too. (Plus that will help you ask questions later.)

Mistake #5: Being too casual, both in dress and attitude.

Impressions are everything, and if your dress or attitude is too casual it will leave a negative impression. Dress for the job you want, and dress appropriately for the industry. By the same token, don't overdress. You want to look like you already belong there.

Don't overdress for the interview.

If it’s a casual industry, say a start-up where the employees and bosses wear shorts and flip-flops to the office, you don't want to show up in a three-piece suit and highly polished brogues. But you also don't want to show up in jeans and a t-shirt. Strike a professional balance without going overboard. How does the most senior person dress? Copy that. Match the industry standards.

And your demeanor needs to be professional too, even if it’s a casual interview. Never be too familiar or chummy.

Mistake #6: Talking about salary too soon.

Finally, never ask about salary in the interview. If you’ve done your research you should know what the salary range is. If you talk about salary too soon you are just crossing yourself off the list. You want to wait until they fall in love with you; that’s when you have the most leverage. Wait to talk salary until they offer you the job. You will be in a much better position to negotiate.

Got it? Now, go get ‘em!

How to ace your interview

When it comes to landing a job, the interview is absolutely critical. Too often, people don't take this part seriously and think they can get by with "winging it." Big mistake.

Here, I talk with WJLA's Bruce DePuyt on the common mistakes people make in interviews and how to avoid them:

Acing the interview: 12 tips to sell yourself and land the job

•Acing an interview is a critical skill that every working person should master. You can have a great education, a great resume, great experience, and great recommendations, but if you can't ace the interview, forget about it.

Employers are looking for certain skills, yes, but employers want to know what kind of person you are, what kind of employee you are going to be, and if you will fit into their organization. Employers rate the following list of skills and traits as the most important:

•Communication and interpersonal skills

•Honesty and integrity

•Teamwork skills

•Reliable, responsible, and mature

•Strong work ethic

•Motivated and flexible

•Analytical skills

•Computer skills

•Organizational skills

See where technical skills fall? Near the bottom. Employers are willing to train for those, provided you can prove yourself worthy of their investment. And to do that, you have to impress. So get ready to sell yourself. Whether you are a recent graduate embarking on your professional career or a seasoned pro looking for a new one, the rules are the same:

Before the interview:

1. Research the organization. You need to know the company’s core business, products, services, and markets. What are their key business challenges? What is their culture like? What kind of people do they hire? Familiarize yourself with their history, their structure, management, recent trends, growth areas, stock price, etc.

2. Research the job. Contact the HR department and see if they have a written description or can tell you about it. What are the general duties and responsibilities? What is the reporting structure? Find out as much as you can beforehand so your questions during the interview will be smarter and more targeted.

3. Research the industry. If you are interviewing at Coca-Cola, do some research on the beverage industry. What are the trends? What are the challenges? What are their competitors doing? Being able to intelligently discuss trends and challenges will really set you apart and make you stand out. Remember: you are more than a candidate for a job; you are a potential problem solver and contributor, so the more knowledgeable you are about the company and the industry, the more you’ll impress the interviewer.

4. Research the interviewer. A key element of succeeding in a job interview is building rapport with the interviewer. When you schedule an interview, it is perfectly acceptable to ask who will be conducting the interview. Find out, then find out all you can about that person. Perhaps you have something in common, like an alma mater, a hometown, a hobby, or perhaps he or she did something impressive that you can point to and compliment. You don’t want to appear overly solicitous, but an earnest and informed comment can go a long way to establishing rapport with the person who may hire you.

5. Practice your responses. Thee are basic questions every interviewer will ask. Know them, and practice your responses. No more than 1 minute to two minutes. Here is what the interviewer wants to know:

•Do you have what it takes to succeed in the job?

•Will you fit in the organization?

•Do you understand the company and its purpose/goals/challenges?

•How do you compare to your competition?

•Why do you want the job?

•Tell me about yourself.

•What are your strengths and weaknesses?

•Why should I hire you?

•Where do you see yourself in five years? 

6. Dress for success. Dressing for the interview is not about standing out—it’s about looking like you belong. Match your dress and image to the profession or business in which you want to succeed. Your image has to inspire trust and confidence. When you make an effort to look the part, you broadcast to the world that you take yourself and the job seriously.

And ladies, remember the cardinal rules of dressing for success:

•Nothing too short.

•Nothing too long.

•Nothing too tight.

•Nothing sleeveless.

•No cleavage.

•Keep makeup and jewelry to a minimum.

•No heavy perfumes or colognes.

At the interview...

7.  Be on time. Being late for an interview is the worst impression you can make. Do reconnaissance if you have to. Practice your route and where you will park. Being late is a pretty big hurdle to overcome, so do everything you can to ensure you arrive on time.

8. Be nice to everyone. And I mean everyone, from the doorman to the receptionists. Smile and say hello to everyone. Many organizations incorporate the impressions of other employees in evaluating a candidate. You want your impression, however brief, to be a positive one.

9. Use appropriate body language. Seventy percent of communication is non-verbal. People form a first impression in three seconds. That means your body language and your initial appearance speak louder than your words, so make sure your body language says I am confident and I’ve got what it takes to work here and do this job. Here are some simple dos and don’ts:

Do:

•Have straight posture, both standing and sitting.

•Smile.

•Make eye contact.

•Have a firm handshake.

Don't:

•Slouch or slump.

•Fidget.

•Cross your arms.

•Yawn.

•Chew gum.

•Tap your foot or play with your hair.

•Stuff hands in pockets.

10. Ask where they are in their hiring process. What is their time frame? When do they expect to make a decision? Ask them when and how you should follow-up. Should you call in two weeks? Is an e-mail appropriate? Don’t be afraid to ask. It is a completely legitimate and appropriate question. They will actually appreciate you taking responsibility by asking.

After the interview...

11. Don’t talk. Don’t talk about your interview or the company anywhere near the interview site or the business itself. Wait until you get in your car or get home. You never know who is walking behind you or in the elevator with you or at the lobby coffee shop.

12. Follow up immediately. There is one very simple thing you can do to set yourself apart: send a hand-written thank-you note immediately after the interview. I know, the interviewer said to send an e-mail, but send a hand-written letter, too. Send it to the person with whom you interviewed. Use good quality paper or card stock (no cartoon characters, no notebook paper) and keep it short:

Dear Ms. Jones,

Thank you so much for seeing me last week. I enjoyed our interview and am very excited about the opportunity. I want very much to work for the XYZ Corporation. Thank you again and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Jane Smith

The rest of the follow-up process should be dictated by what they told you in the interview—phone call, e-mail, etc.

Armed with these tips, and with practice and preparation, you can ace the interview. Good luck!