We have previously discussed the fact that being likeable can do as much to advance your career as being a good performer can. But it's also true that being likeable BEFORE you are hired is important as well -- so the interviewer decides to make you an offer.
The January 7 issue of Bloomberg Businessweek lists six ways to befriend an interviewer as follows (along with my brief summary and thoughts):
The January 7 issue of Bloomberg Businessweek lists six ways to befriend an interviewer as follows (along with my brief summary and thoughts):
- Stalk your interviewer online -- Look at their LinkedIn profile and use that info as a conversation starter or what the magazine calls "lighthearted filler." Don't get too creepy (and act like a true stalker) with information. General rule: "Stay away from Facebook revelations but anything found on LinkedIn is fair game."
- Ace the basic questions - Simple: prepare for the interview questions in advance.
- Be mindful of your surroundings - Free feel to use the simple cues in the office to make a connection with the interviewer. Trophies, pictures, awards, degrees, etc. can all establish a common connection that can make you more likeable.
- Crack a smile - Look them in the eye, smile, and open your body language. All of these help to establish both trust and likeability.
- Don't make it all about you - Let them talk! And when they do, try to find "me too" moments (areas where you and they agree, have the same experiences, etc.)
- Hold the high fives - Use a firm, professional handshake. This is not the time to be cute with a fist bump or something similar. And certainly don't be rude and refuse to shake hands/greet them.
- I would agree about the "creep" factor in searching for them online, so I would be very careful. Something like "I noticed your kids play soccer every Thursday night at the Fulton Street stadium" seems a bit over the line to me unless that's something you found on a professional site like LinkedIn (and if you did, I would question the interviewer's judgment on what he posts.) I would much rather use online research just for knowledge/background, but would not use it for conversation starters. I would use in-office items like photos and stuff on desks to do that.
- I once asked a guy about a tennis plaque he had on his wall and we ended up talking about tennis for 10 minutes or so (I played in high school.) By the time I left his office an hour later, I was his new best buddy. :)
- Some of my best interviews have been the ones where I talked only half the time. You know it's a successful interview when they stop asking you questions and start selling you on why the company is such a great one to work for.
- To that end, I agree 100% that you should say only what needs to be said to seal the deal. Anything more and you could only hurt yourself. That's another reason there's value in practicing and rehearsing interview questions/answers -- you are sure you cover the main topics and use appropriate examples, but you don't cover a bit more.
If you want to make it through an interview practice like your life depends on it.
Before I interviewed for my current job I bought a couple of friends dinner and had them run though practice questions with me. Then I scoured the web for those annoying "behavioral questions" printed up dozens of pages worth and spent a few days trying to line up answers to as many as possible. I practiced my presentation multiple times. I reviewed every item in my CV and made sure I could talk about it and around it. And I lined up an entire list of questions to ask my interviewers.
(Some of my colleagues made fun of me for the above actions. I got the job. They're still languishing as trainees.)
I do not believe that I am an inherently likable person. Given that I had zero experience in the industry before this job, I am certain that there were far more experienced and better candidates than me.
I just tried to put as much (or more) enthusiasm, caring, and effort into the interview process as I do to my work.
Posted by: My Financial Independence Journey | February 02, 2013 at 07:44 AM
I saw on a TV show that some people put pictures of kids on their desk so people comment and say how they have kids. They're not allowed to ask about kids but if you bring it up you could shoot yourself in the foot if they don't want someone who has to cart kids to school etc.
Posted by: Lance @ Money Life and More | February 02, 2013 at 09:04 AM
I rarely have been given an interviewer's name in advance. When I get one, though, I search for academic publications. Then if the interviewer says "My team is working on problem ABC", I can say, "Are you using technique XYZ? I read your conference paper about that, and I had a couple of questions..."
Posted by: 08graduate | February 02, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Yeah, being observant about your surroundings can trigger ideas for excellent conversation starters. ;)
Posted by: KC @ genxfinance | February 04, 2013 at 02:32 AM
Agree to prepare as much as you can and then pay attention to what is around you, as well as behaviors you see of the interviewer.
-Mike
Posted by: Mike Hunt | February 04, 2013 at 05:52 AM
I completely agree about the stalking point. Finding conversational pieces by stalking profiles and status updates don't go over near as well as using a conversational piece from something in the office. I know first - hand. I asked someone about a hobby they noted on their LinkedIn profile. Granted, this was 5 years ago, but he was sort of surprised by the fact that I had found his profile online and read it. Times have changed in a few short years as people share more online and expect others to read it, but it's still kind of creepy to raise in a formal conversation. By the way, I still got the job. :)
Posted by: Jason Price | February 06, 2013 at 07:59 PM
Perhaps it has only been applicable in the type of interviews I have participated in, but I think too many potential employees think of the interview as an interrogation rather than a conversation. And they tend to make the interview too much about selling themselves rather than making sure that it is a mutual fit. I believe the interview should be used to make sure you properly communicate your skills and abilities, but also to ensure that you actually want to work for the company. It will only be a long-term relationship of employer to employee if it is mutually beneficial.
During my younger days, I definitely made the interview about trying to sell (and often over-sell) myself without really thinking about the longer term. That is, of the fact that I would be investing a great deal of time and effort in a given job for a particular company. I have tried to be more careful about where I apply and interview to make sure it's a good career move AND that it isn't a job that will drive me insane. :o)
My disclaimer: I totally understand that I have been fortunate to already be employed during my past few job searches. A lot of people often don't have that luxury, in which case a lot of what I mentioned is a moot point.
-Jon
Posted by: JTS | February 06, 2013 at 11:43 PM