Selling yourself in an interview
 

OKay - I've been failing miserably in interviews lately.

My resume gets me in the door and makes it hard for them to say "no" I think but my interviewing skills seem to be sealing the deal for me.

How do you sell yourself in an interview?

I've done this before and thought I was good at it but it seems that I simply am not. I've had 2 interviews recently with a major company and want that job...I have a third this week (all considered 1st interviews in different divisions) and I really want to nail it. The last interviewer gave some good feedback besides not calling me back...said he couldn't tell what I was excited about and that I simply did not sell myself. I know this market is more competitive for jobs than ever, especially in my business (networks) and especially in my markey (LA). So; I flubbed it on those and I can accept that easily. I want to learn from it and nail the next chance on thursday. I just got off the phone with a technical fellow that seemed okay but I'm not 100% sure because my confidence is a little low. I tried to sound excited, I also tried to relate my experience to how I could serve the company. I also tried to be clear about the things that I enjoy about the work. Textbook really but I feel just stupid for not doing it in the others - especially the last one.

Back in the late 90s a man could depend on his resume to stand on it's own ink - but dude! these days...they actually want you to talk in an interview.

The nerve.

Thanks!
SmileWavy

Undo another button and wear a shorter skirt.

the more BS you can give, the better, that's what the corporate world is all about, anyway.

Seriously, take a class. Back in the Early 90's, I was kinda sorta being asked to leave my position (really, not my fault), so they gave me 3 months to find a new position, inside or outside the company. They had seminars, paid for by the company, on how to interview. If you think you're having trouble, definitely look for some interview consultants. They should help you: Dress the part, learn how to talk, learn how to get information about the company, learn how to turn the interview from _you_ to the interviewer. Great stuff.

Two things are irresistible to an interviewer: excellent preparation and high, positive energy.

Be prepred with intelligent questions about the company you cannot be expected to have the answers to. Listen more than you talk. It's a lot like being on a first date.

Like I said....

All good advice. The people who seemed really interested in the job were the ones I kept at the top of the stack. You can tell when someone's not that enthused, nervous or not.

mikester - there are a few things you can do to nail the interview. Trust me when I tell you. I have never not gotten a job. Infact, I have had to pick and choose. While in grad school I put out the resume and in 3 weeks I had 7 offers - went to work for GE, they didn't even come in as the highest either. I had it all charted up in my bedroom - my girl friend (now my wife) called it the war room. There is not much I can do in this world but interviewing is one think I can nail. Here we go. It gets broken down to a few things that people who are hiring really want to know and feel good about. Keep in mind interviewing is like selling. It has a natural rythem to it. You must e in sync with the interview and that means understanding where is there hot buttons.

First of all people hire people. They shouldn't but they do. They do not hire resumes and they do not hire the best person for the job. They hire people they like and that is the sad but unmistakenable truth. Learn it and live with it. If you disagree, do not bother to read anymore and skip to the next response.


Good, I'm glad you believe me. Trust is the cornerstone to establishing a good personal contact. So, lets get going on the first thing, getting the interview. I will assume that the resume is stellar and your refs are in shape. Resume building is imporatnt and a completeily different thread. I will imagine that your shows growth to the bottom line, interesting and profittable projects you worked on and even hints of diverse teambuilding abilities. I hope to God you have some distinct examples of how you helped generate $$$ for your company. If not - best figuer something out becuase the bottom line is the bottom line.

The actual interview - say you get past the phone screen - that is a great sign but say you are having issues with the phone screen. There are a few things that you can do to prepare. First of all have your resume in front of you, secondly have the companies website or information at hand. Best to review it prior so you know a little something about them. Next, figuer out who you are actually talking to. Are they going to be your boss? Are they from HR? The idea is this - a job interview is like a girl you want to date. Impressions on her sister and best friends are important but the girl makes the choice if she wants to gobble your knob not her best friend (thats topic fr another thread as well!). The right impression to the non-decision maker is important but you want the one who is hiring not the lacky. Figuer a way to get to that person and on route make your answears to the gatekeeper short and pointed at growth and success. Remember - the gatekeeper has a series for "Core Competencies" that they have to rate you on. If you cane figuer those out early that is great but basically they look at a few things before they more you on: 1) experience to the job 2) ability to workout problems 3) personality - able to get along with others 4) communication skills 5) growth ability 6) influence on the bottom line.
Get some pat answers as they relate to the job you are going for and reherse them till you are comfortable and natural. Unless you are atrained actor, reading from script will sound very "robot like" and that is a major turn off.

The next thing you have to do is understand that they will ask you questions that they need answers to - you should ask questions as well but only as they realte to understand how to nail the interview in the next round. This is a little tricky because it can like figuering out if the girl takes it in the pooper or will swallow - tough call when you first start talking to her but it can be determined it broached the right way and they don't even know it. I wish I could give you an example but the best way to think of it is asking a question that they have asked and turn it towards you potential boss and ask how he or she would answer.

The next thing is the actuall interview with the hiring boss. He or she is gonna want to like you because unless they are a first time manager (God save you if that is the case!) then they will know that managing is 95% dealing with personal crap and 5% dealing with work. You have to come across as a guy with his ***** together. Even if you have some personal baggage - don't tell them for God's sake! If a hot chick told you that she was in prison for 3 yrs for dealing meth would you still pop her? Well, bad example but save the sob story for when you get the job. Also, don't mention the Porsche unless they have one. Many folks get put back by these cars. Sorry - but it is true.

During the interview you have to make a personal contact with the boss - identify with his persona. Be great if you could get a tour of the place - guys like that if they have time. If he has a very neat and organized office with no images of the family or any hobbies than this guy is looking for a real company man but if he has the NASCAR or grand kids fishing or a pic of his beagle looking at you with said eyes - he is as good as nailed. Small chat him some, get into the things he is into and try to talk as little about your self as possable. Remember, people (especially thos in power) love to talk about themsleves, so let them. There is going to come a natural breaking point when you have to get down to business. The the stoic dude with nothing but charts that time is soon. "Sir, I could talk to you all day about duck hunting, God only knows how I love to blast those little bastids away! Bit what I really want to talk about is how you got strated her eand rose through the ranks. Seems to me you got a pretty good clues as to how it is done. I really want this job and am willing to work my tail off but I will also need to undertand how things work around here. You seem to have a prety good grasp of that. So tell me Sir, what do you think the keys to success are here at ABC*******UP Inc?" If this guy is any sort of good dude, he will spill it to you. This only works after a really good warm-up.

Guess what Mikester - she just told you how she likes it! Now take that info and use it in your responses back to his questions.

After he asks you what he has to, he will ask you if you have any questions. Ask questions about specific projects you will be working on and also, ever so gingerly, ask how they will imfluence the companies success and the overall bottom line. Let him know that you want to be able to pull your fair share and that you look forward to helping his team succeed and be recognized as the best in the organization.

He may ask the stupid question "So Mikester, wher do you see your self in 3 to 5 years". With out batting an eyelash and as serious as VD, look the MF straight in the eye and say, "Sir, according to a quiz I took the otherday on line, I will be dead in 3 to 5 years..." No, don't say that! I'm just messin with you. Actually, you can say "The textbook answer is in your position but really sir, I have no real idea. I know that if I work smart and I work hard and I continue to advance myself as best I can and follow the elad of my boss I think things will work out rather fne but it would be foolish and pointless to predict what that will be. So many things in companies change and opportunities present them selves to people who deserve them."

"I just want the chance to contribute and make a difference. becuase Sir, my time is real valuable to me and if I'm going to spend 10 to 12 hours a day at a job I best be putting in my finest work and otherwise it is a waste of my time. Time is something that you don't get back. The older I get the more valuable it is so I plan on making pretty worth while."

Now the close...



want more?



huh?


say pleeeeeeezzzz....

Remember that they are looking at you as if "what can this guy bring our company". Make sure that your whole message is on what you will do for THEM after you are hired.

Lube...if you don't give me the more my results on my own will be on your head. Now...you wouldn't do that to a fellow OT junkie would you?

Puleeze.

=-)

what usually works for me is

opening a suit case full of dead presidents and saying
"ok essa when juyou wanna me ta start, bro !"

LOL, great post lube . . .

All good advice. Just one important suggestion: Ask for the job. This is something many interviewees forget. At the end of the interview, tell the interviewer that you really want the job. This is not just something to get you by for a while. THIS is the job you want, and you'll work very hard to achieve results. That, my friend, usually closes the deal.

i am a crappy at interviews. i get nervous, and forget things, but what i am good at, is that i research the company. i learn what they have done in the past, mission statements, stuff like that. then i am pretty good at working all the info in. like when cali was given ____$ to do __________. i stated that i wanted part of the gig. i wiggled my way into a job offer at halliburton, but turned it down, when i found out it was in midland, tex.

next time, i am asking my doctor for some anti nervousness pill :D

While I have researched the company so to say I also have a long standing previous relationship with them. While "them" doesn't mean management or owner it does mean I've worked with them almost exclusively where ever I have actually been employed for the last decade nearly.

I am constantly researching them as I use their products to do my job; This position is a Sales Engineer position - supporting sales and initial implementation of the technology.

Lube; that was a good post - I look forward to part two.

After I did a little reading related to the feedback I got the last failed attempt I quickly realized how I was failing. I just wish I had known that before the last interview because I really impressed him in some aspects but then my energy level was "low" and I was simply too cool. Before I went into the interview, having failed two recent interviews there and one other place I pep talked myself to be cool and relax.

Went too far eh?

Sup - I will ask for the job in the interview. That's good advice as well.

These particular interviews are fairly regimented; I will interview with the hiring manager and then come in for another round with some peers for technical/personal/professional skills evals. Presentation ability is a big key since that's how I'll be spending my time. Presenting the technology. I speak well in front of others but am by no means perfect...

More to come...

like i said in my earlier post, it's all BS.
:D

btw, all the "sir" that and "sir" this would make me want to puke.

I don't have a problem saying "sir" to someone I respect. Either they earned it or in this situation they get the benefit of the doubt. Though; I can't recall ever saying "sir" in one of these interviews. Some of the folks I've interviewed with no the engineer side have been folks I have worked with before. So I have a relationship with them and have already earned their respect and they have mine.

but giving someone respect doesn't make me ill.

that's fine. I personally don't say "sir" and never did, i find other ways to show respect. but to each his own.

if i was hiring and a candidate was like "sir" this and "sir" that, i would find that very annoying.

Ask your physician about beta blockers. They do a good job at reducing the physiological symptoms of stress like the butterflies and flushing. That way when the natural fear of an interview kicks it its easier to not realize it and not be distracted from the issues at hand.

BTDT except a good friend of mine who is a phamacist supplied the drugs.

I must admit that in my earliest interviews I would be hit and miss depending on how comfortable I felt with the interviewer and how nervous I was.

Fear is the mind killer, so get used to dealing with that and it all becomes a lot easier. Practice makes perfect so try to make the best use of those interviews that don't get you anywhere.

Yep. And look 'em in the eye when you do. They don't know who is blowing smoke up their ass and who is not. This is a sales job (the interview), and your most important moment is "the close." Look the interviewer in the eye and say "I want this job."

BS or not...

When I interview people (well, not really "people", but engineers:rolleyes: ) I give them "test questions."

The one's who try to BS me do NOT get the job. The ones who can easily say "I don't know" I like. ...it's the worst having BS'ers selling you how their end of a project is moving fwd --not. Or, when they believe some half-baked sol'n can be sold as good enough...

it is interesting, who here sees their job as producing BS. . ...but at least they look sincere. :cool:

I hate it when engineers won't call for help. I never had problem saying I don't know and I have always been up front with where I am weak as well as where I feel I am strong.

>I personally don't say "sir" and never did... if i was hiring and a candidate was like "sir" this and "sir" that, i would find that very annoying.

I think this has something to do with the area of the country where you interview. I sell my technology consulting services to corporate managers all over the country, so I am "interviewed" several times a month.

I would never say "sir" or "ma'am" to an interviewer in New York or California, where such formalities are considered annoying. But in the southeast and Texas (where I think Lube is from), it's considered polite and respectful and might even score you some points.

I view job interviews as a two-way street. Not only is the company trying to get a handle on me, but I'm trying to get a handle on them. I know if they are trying to determine if I will fit in with the corporate culture, but I'm always mindful of if I would enjoy working at the company. It's always been my attitude to present myself exactly as I am, so that they can determine if I am a good fit. I also try to draw my own conclusion. I figure that there is no experience more miserable than working for a company that you really don't fit in with.

I agree, good employees produce good results, are honest with their project assessments, don't skirt around issues and don't give you half-baked answers.
When you don't know something, it's best to say that you don't than to try and BS some half-concocted story to make yourself sound good.

being straightforward and honest are good qualities. I've worked with employees that were allowed to work on failing projects for a lot more time than they should have, due to bad management.

Supe - you blew my punchline (sorta). The close is as important as any other aspect of the interview fer sure. I will get into that in a bit.

As afar as calling someone sir or ma'am, I think it is a Southern thing and also a military thing. I spent the past two days in Brooklyn and Queens NY. We called on many construction companies, carting companies, trash haulers and even a few factories. I have a strong northeastern accent that gets even tigher when I am in the NE for more than 20 minutes. These guys all knew I grew up in CT but now live in Texas. They are also as rough a guy as you will meet and give Tony Soprano a run. For real! I refered to each guy I met and worked with as sir. Not once did I get any grief in fact we had a fantastic run - best yet! If you are straight up, don't BS and treat a man(or woman) with respect and dignity and do the same for others under him, they become yours.

Love to help you out.... and good luck!

My weakpoints?
Well, I'm a work-aholic and perfectionist.

Go out and find the best job you could imagine and then offer the president a Free 2 week trial....... he's not totally happy with your work after 2 weeks, its free and good-bye. If he is happy, then you stay on.

I've always found work for the workers in life, they're few are far between.

Good Luck

Now - getting back to the interview. Say you have done a fairly good job up to this point. You and the interveiwer have exchanged questions and answers. Now comes the close? Not yet grasshopper...now comes the sell!

The busy work is done now it is time for you to lay out the cards and take some control over the interview. This will provide you some additional info but also should show this guy that you are focused and driven and are here to get the job.

Forst off, hopefully you have taken good notes up till now. Hopefully they wrer on important things, not benefits or vacation. That is not neogotable and all compnaies are pretty much the same these days anyway so who the ***** cares. What you want to have taken notes on is the following basics:
1) What is the definition and scope of the job?
2) What are the performance requirements to do the job at peak levels?
3) What impcat does the job and your future projects have on the companies bottom line?

Now the sell - recap what you know uptill now but lay it out in a Problem/Solution format. This is what I mean. I will have to use a ficticious scenerio to convey my point.

"I certainly appriciate the chance to meet with you in person to day to discuss the opportunitiy at your company. As I undertand it, you have a need for an engineer to take on the challenge of developing a new transition magneto coupler to interface with the positron ignoblat that your partner company has developed. The challenge is to bring on board an engineer who has a through understanding of the mateiral, processes and application of interfacing such a unit and developing test and application protocols to see this through scale-up. The [roblemm as I see it is the challenge in finding such an engineer.

As you know, I have developed interface modules with the application potential for just such an application and my experience with linked abortaion induction will help speed the development cycle.

Sir, I feel strong about being part of this team and working for you on this project and future projects. I sure would like the opportunity to develop this product and help you grow this company. Have I been able to address all of your requirements to fill this post? Is there any areas that you feel I have not adequately addressed or that you feel there is a weakness?"

This is what I call the "gamble" becuase you are gambling that he will come back with a "no, everything looks great", then you close him. But, he could come back with "Well Mikester, your ability to develop modulated induction interfaces are without question fine examples of sound engineering but you do have a fundimental lack of borrated contpendium exporianus. That is something I will have to address."

"Sir, I hear what you are saying and I agree, on the surface my direction engineering experiance does lack borrated contpendium exporianus, yet I feel that my strengths in appleated jellybean indignation can more than addequately compensate and, not to mention my experience in develping a hugamawhatismas that brought my last compnaye a direct revinue stream of $4M at introduction and increases sales of 7% per quarter for 6 quarters had directborrated contpendium exporianus analogues."

"That being said, I relize yoiu have some choices to make. Sir, I want this opportunitiy and the chance to continue to prove and improve. When would the start date be?"

Kinda ballzy but if you were respectfull and confident going in and during then it's time to lift the skirt and get to the goods. If the guy gets turned off by you being aggresive to ask for the job using this slightly unconventional way, he is a puss and will be a puss manager not worth yur time nor energy.

I appreciate all the feedback and I'll keep you posted.

:confused: Thats it? Man, I feel like it's Firday night after I had to pleasure her in the ways of the french and I'm left with 4 minutes to 'get'r done'...

http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat3.gif

Wheres the luv? I need the constant reaffirmation that I have brought you through the vast tangles of obtaining sustainance and finding self-worth.

not even a reach around...

Lubie...sorry man - I treasure your input more than the rub of my underwear....well...maybe about the same really.

It was very helpful though; I've been doing a lot of thinking about it and reading up on the things the first tech fellow advised me to read up on.

OK then, I feel validated and valuable. It isn't everyday a guy is compared to chafing with affection. :D

Seriously - I hope that you land the job you like.

FYI, nobody (well, almnost nobody) likes a kiss a$$. You really do have to watch the 'Sirs' and 'Maams'. I've gotten every job I've interviewed for in the last twenty years. As previously stated, you would be surprised how many interviewees have little or no knowledge of the company. Homework does wonders.

If you're nervous, I can't help you. I love the stage and am eager to talk with any prospective employer.

Closing is the most important IMHO. I have a patent close that I have shared with a few close friends, and they have gotten the job. I think when all is said and done, the panel only remembers the close. Everyone pretty much says the same thing in an interview, but VERY FEW people close. It's a twenty second investment into your future. I memorize it, and when the time comes, it seems to flow from my heart. If nothing else, trust me on the close. It's the professional end to an interview.

So westy - are you going to share the close or leave me hanging?

PM sent

Thats just wrong westy - we could all do the PM gig but it really goes agenst the spirit of the OT.

Your better than that...share or don't voice. It ain't cool to keep in tight...

I am not even looking for a job right now, but I still want to thank everyone for the great advice. I'm sure I will use a lot of the stuff here in the future.

I'm with Island...

When I hire, I need to know if they can actually do the job - so they get a skills test. When they pass that, then I can get on with working out if I like 'em, and if they'll fit into the team.

Anyone can talk the talk, I need them to walk the walk... When I'm satisfied with that aspect, then comes the personality grillin' ;)

Lube,,,,, I thought everyone else already had a job and I was just tryin' to help Mikester. I'ver already deleted my PM, maybe he can post it up if he still has it. Sorry

Westy, I actually do have a job right now...this is just an opportunity that has come up.

-quote westy

It always helps if the panel had name tags in front of them. Otherwise you need to try and remember their names. The caveat is that while you're trying to memorize names you could be missing your own interview, so be careful there. Also, remember that what works for one person might not work for another. The close can always be modified to fit ones personality. That being said, it goes something like this.

At the end of the interview someone on the panel will ask if you have anything you would like to add. This is the standard way of telling you that the interview is over, what do you have to say? You need to tell them you're the best without getting cocky. DON'T RUSH THROUGH THIS. TAKE YOUR TIME. IF YOU ARE CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO GET OUT OF THERE, THEY WILL SENSE IT. TAKE A BIG BREATH AND EXHALE SLOWLY.

****I would like to thank the panel for the time afforded me in this interview (your stare wanders,,,don't afix eye contact on one person). I realize I have only had a short amount of time to impress upon you my qualifications and desire for this position and I hope I've acomplished this to your satisfaction That being said, if there is nothing else from the panel I would like to personally thank each of you.

(stand up)

Mr. Jones - handshake
Ms. Smith - handshake
Mr. Green - handshake

They should then say, 'thank you, and we'll let you know', but they need to excuse you. Don't just turn and walk away.

I'm telling you, this is 20 seconds, but is impressive. I've sat on so many orals, everyone saying the same thing. You have to stand out. Memorize this and practice it with friends and/or family. It might be uncomfortable, but if you can't do this in front of friends, why would you think you could do it in front of strangers. If I had 10 people, all of similar qualifications,,,,this one gets my vote.

Good luck,,,,Brian W

--end quote westy

Again, I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of the help fellas. Up until recently I had gotten every job I wanted without much effort. SmileWavy

Thanx Mikester