An Interview is a Test You Can Study For

Here are some thoughts from pages 45-48 of Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success (a book I liked very much) where the author says that an interview is a test you can study for. She also gives six steps between landing and interview and the actual interview itself that will help you get the job offer:

1. Research the company. Know something about the place you may work and slip it into the interview.
2. Get the right outfit. Corporate America has a uniform; wear it.
3. Prepare stock answers. Develop answers to key (expected) questions in advance and practice them so they pack a punch and don't sound rehearsed.
4. Go to the gym. Thin, good-looking people are more likely to get hired than overweight, less attractive people.
5. Prepare to close the deal. At the end, ask if they have any reservations about hiring you and be sure to address those.
6. Practice, practice, practice. Have friends do mock interviews with you.

My thoughts on each of these:

1. It's so easy to research companies these days on the web that there isn't any excuse not to.

2. I always dress up for an interview unless I'm told specifically not to -- then I dress on the higher end of whatever the company's attire is. Yes, I've interviewed in a suit where everyone was dressed casually, but I'm ok with that. It's better to be over-dressed and look professional than be under-dressed and look like a schmoe.

3. Yes -- prepare stock answers!  This is exactly what I was talking about in A Simple Recipe for Job Interview Success and Ace an Interview by Preparing for It.

4. Same thing she said in Is Your Image at Work Killing Your Career? No, it's not fair, but in many cases it's true.

5. I do this, then try to weave in one of my prepared answers (assuming it fits the objection) so I look very articulate and on top of the issue they are concerned about.

6. I don't do mock interviews, but I do rehearse my interview questions over and over again, so I'm very comfortable with what I'm going to say before the actual interview takes place. It's worked well for me so far. I think I've only been turned down for 10% or so of the interview I've go one. The rest I've either gotten an offer or decided not to pursue the opportunity myself.

Comments

[Suze]

Some of those comments are pretty good, but I am laughing pretty hard at number 4:

"Thin, good-looking people are more likely to get hired...."

OK -- I guess I can get in shape but what about my ugliness? Should I just give up before the interview?

I know you like her, FMF, but Penelope is often inadvertently funny....

[FMF]

Suze --

I just usually wear a Darth Vader mask. ;-)

I think she's suggesting that you make yourself as nice-looking as possible. Dress nicely, shower, be properly groomed, etc. Obviously, there's only so much some of us can do, but it's better than nothing.

[Suze]

Grooming is critical, I agree. Probably almost as important as researching the company!

[Chris Carlson]

Approach the interview as a job tryout and not a personality contest and you will great increase your odds of winning the position. Find out exactly what the key needs are with the position and what it would take to do a fantastic job. Show the company that you have those skills and drive (assuming that you do) to do a fantastic job. Essentially, show them how you can fix their problem.