Interview tips from Cynthia Shapiro

[simplydamon]

Cynthia Shapiro, the author of Corporate Confidential, has been kind enough to supply me with some excellent tips on interviewing for our community.


The Top Ten Secrets To Interview Success

Let’s face it, everyone gets nervous in interviews, you are after all under scrutiny by the person who holds your potential dream job in the balance. But if you have the inside scoop on what these interviewers are really looking for, and what to avoid, you can emerge the top candidate every time. “Most candidates make the same fatal mistakes, but they are easily avoidable if you know what to look for” says Cynthia Shapiro, author of the new book Corporate Confidential: 50 Secrets Your Company Doesn’t Want You To Know – And What To Do About Them.
A former HR Vice President, Shapiro has interviewed and hired thousands of people for positions from Receptionists to COOs. She knows what the tricks are for excluding candidates, what interviewers are secretly looking for in those they recommend for hire, and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that goes on during the hiring process. “Many employees say or do things during an interview process that knock them right out of the running – and no interviewer will ever tell you what you did wrong that landed your beautiful resume in the trash.” Here are her 10 fool-proof tips for interviewing success:

1. Know your opponent: Most candidates go into an interview thinking the person behind the big desk is looking to include them as a candidate, but the opposite is actually the case. Most interviewers are first and foremost looking to exclude you. He or she is looking for red-flags that will tell them you are someone to discard. They are looking to avoid the potential liabilities and inconveniences that a poor corporate fit could cause. If there are no red-flags, you get to move on to the next step. So, don’t volunteer additional information. Every interviewer has experienced having a candidate come in and spew their life story, sharing inappropriate information and hanging themselves before the interview even gets going. The rule of thumb is, let the interviewer lead the process, and don’t share you personal information.

2. Stick to the positive: Think of this like a first date. You wouldn’t tell someone on a first date all the terrible things you’ve done in your life, that you can’t cook, and you’re a real slob – would you? So definitely don’t do it in an interview. Make sure everything you share puts you in the best light possible. All an interviewer has to go on in this delicate hiring process is the piece of paper you’ve handed them (your resume) and what you say in this one meeting. So, if you want a second date, you’d better put your best foot forward, And for goodness sake, don’t ever say anything bad about your previous employers or bosses. This is a major red flag that makes you look like a negative, possibly bitter, and unsuccessful candidate. Beware of trick questions such as : “tell me about the most difficult work experience or boss you’ve ever had,” they are trying to see if you will go into negative territory. At the most, if you find yourself cornered over a delicate past issue you can say something like: “that experience was challenging to say the least, but I learned a lot from it and I believe it has made me a better employee.”

3. Be enthusiastic: Most employees go into an interview unsure if they really want to work for this mystery company. Unfortunately, that tends to come through and can make you seem like a lackluster candidate. So, save all decisions about whether you really want to work there for after the interview, during the offer negotiations, when you have some real data. In the mean time, it’s critical that you show enthusiasm for the company and the position during the interview. Treat every job interview like it’s for your dream position. You can always turn it down when you have an offer in hand, if you decide it wasn’t the one for you. Interviewers are looking for people who show enthusiasm for the opportunity, are certain they want to work for the company, and are really excited to occupy the position.

4. Don’t ask negative questions about the company: Don’t ask about their dicey reputation for overworking their employees, or bad press they may have had recently. This will make them very nervous. Stick to the positive here too.

5. Don’t give any personal or medical information: The small talk before the interview “gets started” is where most people get trapped. Beware small talk and make sure you redirect it to your work experience and/or the company. Once you set foot in the door and begin speaking with people (even the receptionist), the interview is on! And everything you say could be held against you. If you talk about how hard it is to be a single mom, how devastated you are by your recent divorce, how difficult it’s been coming back from a recent surgery, you will be sidelined. Yes, it is illegal for an HR person or interviewer to discriminate based on these things; but the truth is, they’ll make a mental note, and never tell you why you weren’t called back for another interview. You will get the standard line: “we felt your skills did not match the position, and we wish you well.” This kind of secret criteria is never written down, and not openly spoken about, but it’s there.

6. Be prepared to sell yourself: Get your ego going before you start interviewing. Make a list of all your best qualities, why a company would be lucky to have you. Be prepared to work those into the conversations with your interviewer. Write down your success stories at the various companies you’ve worked for, the things you are most proud of, so they are fresh in your mind and you can work them into answers.

7. Here are some tricks to make the process easier:
• Always drive to the location a day or two before the interview. Then you’ll know where it is and won’t be stressed on the day of the big event. Watch the people coming in and out to get a feel for the company culture. Are they causal or formal? Getting a feel for the place and the people will allow you to look like a good corporate fit when you show up for your interview.
• You’ll look more confident if you take up space. Don’t be afraid to drape your arm over the chair next to you or lean forward.
• Say something nice about the company right off the bat: even if it’s just “great location” or the “people look happy” or you “love their product and use it often.”
• Always bring a copy of your resume, it will help with the filling out of the application and will make you look prepared if someone needs it.
• Always take notes and get the business cards of each person you spoke with. This will help tremendously when write your thank you notes.

8. Don’t falsify: in this day and age, it is too easy to check every last detail. Even the smallest mistake could pull you out of the running. Most companies today hire private investigators to run complete background checks on potential candidates.

9. Know the Follow-up Etiquette: When the interview is over, don’t bug them with follow-up phone calls and emails. If they want you, they will hunt you down. If they disappear, you have to assume they lost interest for whatever reason. No company will let their top candidates get away – believe me. The only follow-up should be a thank you note or email full of enthusiasm for the job and thanking the interviewer(s) for their time. That’s it, that’s all you get.

10. Interview coaching: Just as a resume is your calling card representing all you’ve accomplished in your career, the interview process is a delicate dance that can stand between you and your dream job. You may want to invest in some interview training so you are always your calm collected best in these situations. A skilled interview coach can help you learn to avoid and recognize the trick questions, and turn every answer into a showcase for your wonderful experience. One can also help you learn how to negotiate for the highest salary and best benefits.


For more information on interview coaching call Cynthia Shapiro at 800-888-0528 or email Cshapiro@ShapiroAssociates.biz. To find out other secret information that can help your career, look for Corporate Confidential: 50 Secrets Your Company Doesn’t Want You To Know, available wherever books are sold www.CorporateConfidential.com

[lorenhoward]

Excellent Tips, Thanks for sharing us.