Finish Strong: Make the Most of Your Interview
BY ANDREA N. BROWNE | washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
With a must-have job on the line, you've done all of the pre-interview prep work: printed out copies of your resume, practiced your responses to popular questions and dressed to impress. But so has the competition. Can you give yourself an advantage over a pool of other qualified candidates?
You can, experts agree, in part by being "on point" from the beginning to the end of your interview. While you may approach the end of a long interview feeling like there's nothing left to say, by keeping a few smart questions in your back pocket you can regain momentum and impress hiring managers one last time.
Here are some tips on how to get an edge up on the competition -- even as you're getting ready to walk out the door. Use them and you'll never stammer when an interview asks, "So, any last questions for me?"
Some smart background research on the organization you are applying to will likely supply you with a few good questions to ask, suggests Dorothy Stubblebine, president of Mantua, N.J.-based human resources consulting firm DJS Associates.
If possible, obtain a copy the organization's annual report and read it thoroughly, she recommends, then use your familiarity with the employer to ask an incisive question directly related to recent news. Examples might be questions about projects they've taken on, contracts they've won or high-profile moves at the top.
"I understand the company has a new agreement with another firm," you might ask. "How's that going?" Doing this shows interest in the company, the job and the industry, she says, and can help end the interview on a positive note.
Your skills and background are key, but do not forget that hiring managers are also looking at how you'd fit in with an existing team. While your individual achievements are important, showing that you are approachable and a team player can be just as crucial.
There is a simple way to help demonstrate this, says Stubblebine: Whether in a group or individual setting, a smart response to "Any questions before we wrap up?" is to ask something that offers the interviewer the ability to provide insight into their work life. Ask a question such as: "What is a typical work day like for you?"
If in a group situation, ask each interviewer about his or her role and how it helps the company achieve its goals. This gives you the chance to ask follow-up questions directed at a specific individual, which can help you establish a personal connection and demonstrate your interest in the team's overall effort.
The last few minutes of a job interview give the candidate the opportunity to reverse roles, says Tom Darrow, co-founder of Atlanta, Ga.-based human resources consulting firm Talent Connections.
Ask the recruiter: "Is there anything that concerns you about my background?" If he has concerns, Darrow says, the applicant can try to ease them. The question can also help reverse any objection a recruiter might have.
While some applicants may be hesitant to ask such a question, Darrow adds, it can be the deciding factor in whether or not an applicant is called back for a second interview.
One topic you should lay off, however, is money. While it's natural for a job seeker to think about salary, it's probably best to avoid the topic unless prompted -- especially at the end of the interview.
Instead of showing interest in the company and the job, says Leonard Pfeiffer, managing director of Washington-based executive recruitment consulting firm Leonard Pfeiffer & Co., it shows an interest in self, and you don't want to end the interview having set that tone.
Instead, recommends Darrow, do something unexpected: Ask for the job. Job seekers will subject themselves to all manner of experiences and stresses for a job they really want, he says, but most never think to clearly and plainly state their interest while in the interview room.
It may seem like much, Darrow adds, but you don't have to be literal: Try something like: "After what I've learned, I'm confident that I'd be good fit for the position and the company. I hope to hear from you soon." This -- and the other techniques above -- could go a long way toward ensuring that a hiring manager won't forget your name when you walk out the door.
