Are you a good interviewer?
Am I a good interviewer? This is a question that many of today’s job seekers have never had to ask themselves. In a flourishing market job opportunities tend to outnumber job seekers – so many times having the functional skill-set to perform the duties of the job is enough. After all there is work to be done and waiting for the right “personality fit” can take some time with a limited number of job seekers – so employers can’t afford to be too picky. In our current market – one where the number of job seekers tends to outnumber the opportunities for work - an individuals interview skills become more and more important.
So now more then ever it is important to ask yourself the question – “Am I a good interviewer?”. Here are a few more specific questions you can ask yourself to come up with your answer.
- Do I present as a professional me? By this I simply mean are you comfortable in the clothes you are wearing but still accomplish a professional look? In my experience, and after many feedback conversations with hiring managers, it is clear when someone is completely uncomfortable in a suit. Am I saying that you should ditch the suit and head in wearing your Levi 501′s? No. The key is finding a professional look that you ARE comfortable in. Maybe try losing the tie, or rolling up the sleeves on your dress shirt – you have to do what works for you.
- Am I giving off the correct body language? Body language says alot about a person. It is used by potential employers to gauge confidence, professionalism, and a job seekers fit within the workplace. Things as simple as mimicking the body language of the interviewer, using common language, and most importantly keeping eye contact will help you make a connection with the interviewer.
- Am I selling ALL of my strengths? Employers are looking for an employee with much more to offer then a functional skill-set. This is especially true in our current job market where employers desire candidates that deal well with an ever-changing environment. Are you able to adapt to changes in the workplace? The economic downturn has caused potential employers to re-structure, change technologies, and assign employees new responsibilities. Before you go into your interview do some research to see if anything like this has happened or is happening at the company - then use that information when discussing what you have to offer. Potential employers love to hear about how you have adapted to changes like these in the past.
As an individual trying to separate yourself from your competition it is extremely important to take any opportunity to make a connection with the interviewer. So if you see an opportunity to tell a story about a common interest or a way to share an experience on any aspect of everyday life – TAKE IT! This will allow you to connect with the interviewer on a much more personal level and set yourself apart!
Happy Hunting!
