Chapter 15
Reporting for an Interview
When you are called for an interview, more than likely you will be offered a job. If
they send you to take a physical, you will be hired if you pass it. Remember again to make
a favorable first impression. Have a fresh haircut and shave. If you wear a beard, have it
neatly trimmed. Wear casual clothes. Be up mentally, alert, and above all, be positive. Be
confident, but not boastful.
Again let me stress... do not turn down any reasonable offer. The most important thing
for you to do is get that initial offshore experience.
The Do's & Don'ts of
Interview Body Language
Despite answering all questions thrown at you with
precision and confidence, if your body language is weak, your overall image
could be perceived as weak.
DO enter the room confidently. When you meet your
interviewer, hold your head up and put on a smile. Look like you are
enthusiastic about the opportunity. Interviews are not fun, but if you go into
it anticipating torture, your body language will reflect this attitude.
DON'T shake hands like a dead fish. In any
professional environment, a handshake can say a lot about a person. Make sure
your handshake is firm, not timid and limp. In the same respect, don't overdo
it. A gorilla grip is just as bad as that of a limp fish.
DO pay attention to your posture. Sitting up
straight and having good posture will tell your recruiter you are confident
about your ability to get the job done in a safe and professional manner.
Slouching could paint you as lazy and weak.
DON'T swing your legs, tap your feet, twirl your
hair, wring your hands, or bite your fingernails. All of these actions
demonstrate lack of confidence and fear and can be extremely distracting. You
want to make sure the recruiter concentrates on your great answers, not your
fidgety behavior.
DO make and keep eye contact but don't over do
it. Failing to make eye contact with your interviewer will keep you from truly
connecting with him or her and might make you seem shy or even evasive. Making
eye contact can be uncomfortable, but it is important. Utilize other body
expressions that demonstrate interest, such as nodding, tilting your head, or
raising your eyebrows.
DON'T cross your arms in front of your body as
this indicates defensiveness, resistance, aggressiveness or a closed mind. Use
your hands to be expressive when you are talking. When the recruiter is
speaking, keep your hands folded in your lap, rested on the arms of your chair
or in another position that is lower than your elbows.
Questions You Can Ask During
the Interview:
The questions you ask in the interview process are just
as important as the ones they recruiter asks of you. They will demonstrate
your level of interest. Be prepared to get the recruiter to explain what the
goals of the company are and the types of people currently employed by the
company. Be interested but don't over do it! This IS NOT the time to
ask about pay, overtime, benefits, etc.
No doubt this is important to you, but bursting into
this topic with a "what about me" attitude is not going to be good
for your cause. Remember, you are not the ONLY person the recruiter is
interviewing for this position, but you want to be the one he REMEMBERS.
Focus on questions that show interest in the company and
position based on your research. You can go to the company website and learn a
lot there or you can look them up on rigzone.com or hoover's online.
Rigzone provides the information free while Hoover's
charges for their report but gives a much more detailed report like number of
employees, payroll and contact information for all the top people.
Be prepared to ask about 10 questions. More than likely
you will only ask 2 to 4, but be prepared with at least 10 so don't come up
short handed.
For instance, if you take in only 3 questions and they
recruiter answers them in the course of the interview, you have nothing to ask
when he says "do you have any questions".
One of the most important things you want to accomplish
at the interview is to show him how much you know about his company, their
operations, goals, etc.
Most job applicants don't do this type of involved
research so it is a great way to get you ahead of the pack. If the recruiter
answers most of your questions during the interview and then asks you "Do
you have any questions?" this would be a good time to say something like:
"I do have a number of questions, but you have
already answered most of them. Could I have a minute to review the ones that
have not been answered?"
Here is a list of standard questions you might ask:
1. Could you describe what you consider to be a
typical day in this position?
2. What specific traits are you looking for in your
ideal candidate?
3. What skills will be most important in this
position?
4. What do you expect from a new employee during the
probationary period?
5. What type of training can I expect in the first 30
days?
6. Is this a new position? If not, was the person
before me promoted?
7. To whom would I be reporting?
8. Are there any major changes coming internally that
I should know about?
9. Where do you see this company in the next five
years?
10. Might I see a copy of the job description?
11. Will it be possible to meet with any co-workers
before starting?
12. What type of attire is worn? Do you wear uniforms?
If so, is one supplied or do I need to purchase it?
13. What can I do to demonstrate to you I can perform
the job?
Avoid Being Labeled Over
Qualified
Being labeled over qualified can often mean the
interviewer has a number of concerns. Mainly that you have too many years of
experience; might become unchallenged in the role and leave; have a salary
range above their salary offer; may be inflexible in your expectations; or
that your skills are outdated.
Another concern could be you would leave if a better
offer was received, or you could set your target for their management role.
Here are some great responses to avoid being labeled over qualified.
Response 1: While it may seem my experience and
skills are over qualified for the role, I would say they position me as
being fully qualified to perform the duties of this position. Being able to
achieve performance levels better than expected would be advantageous to
your organization.
Response 2: I enjoyed my senior roles. However
I have reached a time in my career where I would prefer a more hands on
position and be able to work more closely with the team.
Response 3: I no longer have dependent children
and am no longer driven with salary or title goals. I prefer a hands-on role
and my references will confirm I am a dedicated team member that
consistently achieves goals and deadlines. I am positive we can come to a
mutually agreeable salary level.
Response 4: I realize your organization is a
dynamic company and experiencing significant growth in the market. This is
exactly the sort of organization I want to establish my career with. Rather
than your company having to spend thousands of dollars in training, I offer
an immediate return on your investment. I am sure you value a team player
with skills and aptitudes to support your corporate vision towards further
growth?
Response 5: You have mentioned my background
confirms senior level roles however I am at a time in my life where I wish
to stand down from the stresses of a senior position and regain a healthy
work / life balance. This position is exactly what I am looking for and will
provide me with more time to spend with my family, which is something my
previous roles have not allowed me to do.
Response 6: It's gratifying you believe my
skills expertise would generate further job offers and I would leave should
another opportunity present itself. However, this position is exactly what I
am looking for and I would be prepared to sign an agreement committing to an
18 month period.
If you use any of these responses, don't quote them
word for word! Read them over, become familiar with them and put them into
your own words using the one or more combinations that best fit your
circumstances.
10 Tips to Outshining the
Competition:
1. Know Yourself: Determine what skills you're
marketing and to whom. This will show the recruiter you know yourself and have
clear goals / objectives which are both highly desirable attributes.
2. Know Your Prospective Employer: Find out as
much as you can about the company before you go in for the interview. Your
knowledge their ways and procedures will demonstrate a sincere interest in
working for them.
3. Develop a Focused Message: Use this throughout
your job search. Your job search is essentially a self-marketing campaign in
which you are the product. Once you know the product, you can begin to think
of yourself in job market terms.
4. Keep The Conversation Flowing: Don't wait
until the end of the interview to ask your questions. Ask relevant and
insightful questions throughout the interview. The give and take nature of
this dialogue will show the interviewer your interest in his company is
sincere.
5. Build Rapport: Rapport and your ability to
build it will be one of the most crucial elements of your interview.
Likeability and personal chemistry are not that hard and are crucial in these
early recruiting sessions.
6. Drive Home Your Experience And Qualifications:
Identify and describe a problem or situation you faced on a previous job and
describe the actions you took to resolve it.
7. Appearance Is The First Step: A polished and
self-confident image sets the stage for that critical first impression. Make
sure you have a fresh haircut, shave (trim if you have facial hair) and clean
fingernails. If possible, wear pressed clothes. Make sure you are well rested
before the interview.
8. Your Facial Gestures Are Also Important: Smile
upon greeting your recruiter and relax! Be yourself, but be your best self.
Someone who is overly friendly or too intense will likely make the recruiter
uncomfortable.
9. Look Your Interviewer In The Eye: Speak
enthusiastically and in a friendly tone. Be sincere and professional.
10. Listen Carefully: Often candidates are so
busy selling themselves that they forget to listen. It's easy to forget that
your first task is to show how you can help the company solve its problems.