Interviewing basics

There are so many good (and some not-so-good) books about interviewing that it’s a little daunting to tackle the topic in a single column. Truly, I could write an article a week on only interviewing.

I’ll spare you that fate. Instead, here are interview fundamentals, broken into the main time frames of the process: Before, during and after.

Before: How to prepare for the interview

1. Identify your key messages. As with any meeting, your interview should focus on a handful of points, or agenda items. It is your job to determine those points and come prepared to discuss them. The interviewer will lead the session by asking you a series of questions, but you will control the flow of information by deciding in advance what you will share.

Start by making two lists. First, what do you believe the employer most wants in the person he or she hires? Next, write down your top skills and attributes. Now look at both lists to find the matching points. Prioritize these points until you have your top three or four messages to share. Variations of these points should form the majority of your answers to interview questions.

AMY LINDGREN

WORKING STRATEGIES

2. Take care of the paperwork. Stock a file folder with extra copies of your résumé and references, as well as work samples, letters from customers and other portfolio pieces. Keep this collection nearby to make it easier to get out the door on interview day.

3. Prepare your interview outfit. Want to be super-ready? Wear your outfit for a day, shoes and all, to be certain that it fits comfortably. Then get it cleaned and hang it somewhere safe but handy.

During: How to perform well at the interview

1. Be likeable. People hire people they like, so one of your goals is to be friendly and outgoing. These are your future co-workers interviewing you, and they want to know what it would be like to have you around every day.

2. Use your key messages in your answers. You know the employer wants certain qualities in the candidate and you know you have those qualities — shouldn’t you emphasize those points in your conversation? Always give the employer the information he or she will need to make the right decision — to hire you, that is.

3. Answer the question beneath the question. When interviewers ask about a boss you didn’t like, or a difficult situation you handled, they are not looking for detail about the boss or the situation. Instead, they are listening to learn more about you — how you get along with others, how you talk about past bosses, how you manage awkward situations. Before answering, pause to determine the real question. Then, set the scene briefly before giving the answer that matters most to both of you.

4. Ask for the job. No, seriously. While it may seem obvious that you want the job, you should still make this point clear. Remember that the interviewer has had candidates who were “just shopping” and others who discover during the process that the job won’t be right. Don’t leave anyone with doubts about you and whether you fit into those categories. If you want the job, say so.

After: Follow up

1. Write a thank-you note. Don’t sweat this one; just do it. Buy a pack of cards, then write a brief note that says something simple like, “Thank you for meeting with me today. I am very excited about ABC Company and I look forward to our next conversation.” Drop it in the mail the same day.

2. Consider a follow-up letter as well. This is typed and sent via e-mail or post, and it looks like a formal letter. Here, you again thank the interviewer and then offer a point about your skills that wasn’t discussed in the interview. Or you can repeat a point that was covered. Close by saying you are very interested in the position and look forward to the next conversation.

3. Follow up by phone. A week after the interview, if not sooner, call to ask if second interviews have been scheduled. If you get voice mail, leave a message stating that you are very interested in the job and hope to be involved in the next step of the process.

- Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service, a career consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecaree rservice.com or at 1071 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, MN 55102.