Have you ever walked out of an interview feeling like it just didn’t go well? Or that you knocked it out of the park?
Chances are a major factor in determining which way it went came down to how well you connected with the interviewers. Interviews are all about assessing “fit” and a big part of fit is connection.
Not only is it important that you’re a fit for a company, but also that the company is a fit for you. Today I want to share a few tips for connecting with your interviewers, so you’ll be able to better assess whether the company is a fit for you.
- Make sure to make eye contact. So basic, but so crucial. I’ve spent a lot of time the last few weeks interviewing for a business client. One candidate looked at the wall behind me almost the whole time. I even turned around to see if there was anything going on behind me, and he commented that he likes to look into space and continued on doing so. He had a lot to offer, but no go.
- It’s normal to be nervous, and the interviewers have been in your shoes and understand, so try to relax, take a couple of deep breaths, and just think of the interview as a conversation with a person/people you want to get to know. If you can’t get there, then perhaps the company is not a fit for you.
- Follow the interviewers’ lead in the tone they set. If their conversational-style is brief and to the point, then try to make your answers shorter and more direct. If they’re warmer and more personal, try to be so too. Pay attention to whether you have to shift your style a little or a lot – that’s a clue as to whether the company culture is a good fit for you.
- Let the interviewers get to know you. When they ask you to tell them about yourself, be prepared to briefly share about your family and interests outside of work, in addition to what you want to share about your professional life. They want to see who you are as a person.
- But try not to go on too long or go into too much detail. They don’t really need to know every place you’ve lived in your life or your high school accomplishments. 🙂
- At the end of the interview, when it is your turn to ask questions, include a question or two that allows the interviewers to share a little more about themselves or their company (not too personal, of course!) such as what they like about working for the company or whether the company is involved in any community service projects – ask whatever is important to you. This will help you evaluate whether this company and this culture is really a good fit for you.
To your success-
Blessings,
