For some, interviewing is as hard as networking.
It involves talking to people, and so there’s a considerable segment of you reading this that will have a mild panic attack about it, even if you’re good at it.
Funny story – I didn’t know I was an extrovert until ~2 years ago. I had no idea. It turns out I’m pretty good with people and enjoy talking to them, listening to them, etc. Except for almost 30 years I thought I was really bad…
I would definitely place a bet that some (not all) of you are actually in that camp.
But I’d also bet that when you’re set to head into an interview, you get nervous no matter what you do.
Over the years I’ve learned that I’m pretty decent both with people and in the environment of interviewing. I’ve done a bunch of them, and believe it or not, working as a freelancer with clients helped me with this tremendously.
So for today, here’s a few super actionable things to put in your pocket for the next time you head into an interview.
Listen
The majority of people today engage in conversation simply waiting for their turn to talk. They’re not actually listening.
I guarantee you’ve been guilty of this. This goes double if you’re an audio professional – I have no idea why but audio professionals are often some of the worst listeners when it comes to conversation.
I don’t exclude myself from this either. I had to learn, rather embarrassingly, that I often love to hear myself talk.
One of the best, easiest things you can do when walking into an interview is simply to be aware of this.
If you’re aware of this tendency – you won’t do it. You don’t have to try not to talk. You don’t need to freak out if you’re talking too much. Just be aware that you could, and you’ll naturally be more courteous and give space to let people get their thoughts out.
Once you do that, you’ll find that you either completely ignore what someone says (you won’t remember what they say) or you’ll magically get to know the other person a lot faster.
Yes, even in an interview where you’re being asked questions.
Instead of thinking to yourself
“OH GOD WHAT QUESTION ARE THEY GOING TO ASK ME?! WHAT AM I GOING TO SAY?! I NEED TO THINK ON MY FEET! FAST! I’M SO BAD AT THIS!”
You’ll, quite naturally, think something like
“Oh, they want to know what I think my biggest weakness is. Huh, okay, so clearly they’re looking for honesty out of me. Well… what IS my biggest weakness? Ah, right, I’m pretty blunt… and that doesn’t go over well with everyone. It’s gotten me into some predicaments before.”
In the example, you’re hearing their question, assessing why they asked it, and then answering truthfully – not trying to “sell” yourself as is often promoted.
As well, listening well comes in handy all over your interview process. When you ask interviewers questions, you want them to be good and you want to know what they have to say! If you’re too freaked out and not paying attention, you’re going to miss everything and it will show.
The best part though, by far, is this truth –
Everyone likes to be heard.
You know that saying “everyone loves to talk about themselves”? That might be true – but it’s really because when someone truly listens these days, it’s meaningful.
Be Aware
Here’s a worst case scenario for you:
Your interviewer comes in the room, they don’t look at you, they’re not personable, they’re cold, they don’t try to be friendly, and they start asking you really difficult questions that welcome very short responses.
You feel like you’re in an interrogation.
Second, similar scenario:
Your next interviewer doesn’t look at you, talks extremely quiet, rambles, seems shy, and doesn’t quite know how to ask their question directly and clearly. It makes the interview, again, awkward and uncomfortable.
Neither of these people you’d consider your friend at first glance, right?
Except they’ll be your coworkers if you get the job.
So it’s in your best interest to engage and change the interview climate.
“You can even do that, Adam?! I didn’t think that was possible!”
Yes, you can. Even if you’re “bad with people”.
When people give interviews, there are really two types of individuals – those who are prepared and comfortable, and those who aren’t. The interviewers described above are in the latter camp.
You’ll know those who are “prepared and comfortable” because, while they may be all business, they’ll do their best to be welcoming even while putting pressure on you to evaluate you as a candidate. Nobody wants to feel awful in the middle of an interview, and those who do this a lot are aware of that even if they still have to vet you.
So how do turn the climate with those uncomfortable, to being more friendly, respectful, and engaging?
All you have to do is internalize this – they’re more uncomfortable than you.
Yup, that’s right – even if you’re uncomfortable and freaked out being interviewed, your interviewer is panicking more than you are.
Just realizing that should nearly automatically change everything. You won’t be so freaked out when giving your answers, you’ll feel empathy for your interviewer because you’re in the same boat, you’ll ask great questions, and you’ll listen intently and be respectful.
When you do that, they won’t even realize what you’re doing. Despite that, they’ll “magically” warm up to you. Through your body language and tone of voice, you’ll instinctively tell them “it’s cool, I’m not scary – in fact, I’m freaked out too and we’re in this together”
When you turn the climate of that conversation from bad to good, you’ll feel like a superhero. Also, your interviewer will love you for it.
Ask Questions
Interviewing 101 says that you should ask questions of your interviewer.
But… what questions good questions to ask?
For me – there’s one that towers over all possible questions. It goes something like this:
“If you could have your ideal candidate for this role, how would you describe them, their skills set, and what they bring to the team?”
This question instantly brings you to the “come to Jesus” moment of your interview.
Either your interviewer will respond with something that sounds at least vaguely like you – at least partially you. Or, they’ll describe someone who isn’t like you at all.
If it’s the latter, the interview is officially over. You might have more time to share, but you’re not in the running and you’ll know it – you’ll literally feel it emotionally. Even though that won’t be a good feeling, it’s actually a very positive thing for both you and the company. Since you’re not the right person for the job, it would be much worse if you fudged the truth and “sold” yourself in order to get the job. Eventually, your capabilities would make themselves known and neither you or the company will be happy.
But, if the interviewer describes someone like you (or even partially like you), you’re in a great spot. At that point, you can use most of the rest of the conversation to clarify how you fit those qualities and ask additional things about the company that are of interest to you.
I tend to ask things like:
“What makes you personally excited about for the future of <company> and its IP?”
“How do you envision this role benefiting and helping your work specifically?”
“What is the biggest challenge – that you can share with me – that you’re currently facing at <company> individually, and on your team?”
You’re almost always well off as well if you ask questions about a person’s role that you know nothing about. If you’re working in audio and there’s a software developer in your interview, for example, inquiring about the software developer’s role as it relates with the team you’ll be working on often generates a lot of useful information to you.
You Can Do It
At the end of the day, the name of the game with interviewing is very similar to that of networking – it’s caring about people.
What people often mistake is that they assume an interview is where you “sell” yourself and talk about how amazing you are. In my experience – it’s often the opposite.
Certainly, I tell my story and why I fit for the position in question – but the fact that I have the skills, knowledge, and ability is often an assumption when I walk in the door. My interviewers are often first seeking more clarity on who I am, and second – they want someone who understands them and their problems.
The more time you spend trying to listen and discovering for yourself if you’re the one who can provide solutions – the better off you are.
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