Interviewing Better: 4 Things To Know in 2014

Searching for a job is never easy. It’s a full-time job that requires a lot of patience and dedication to find the “right” thing. Even in today’s economy, there are thousands (grossly under exaggerated) of available opportunities – it comes down to which positions are the best fit to be mutually beneficial for you and the employer. But don’t forget that searching for a qualified candidate to fill a job isn’t a cake walk either. It’s a full-time job (literally – there are recruiters in many companies, but often times you are on your own) that requires a lot of patience and dedication to find the “right” person. And in today’s world, there are more and more people to fill each available spot. Since both sides are on a glorified treasure hunt, below outlines a few things both the interviewer and interviewee should keep in mind. Be Kind It may seem obvious, but often times we are rushing around and forget the basics. Being kind is a principle for success, no matter who you ask. When on the phone or meeting someone in-person, be warm and welcoming. You may choose to simply ask, “how are you” or offer something to drink – know that every effort is noticed and appreciated. And don’t forget a Thank You note – even as an interviewer, it’s gracious to acknowledge the candidate’s time. The reality is when you’re meeting a stranger, kindness goes a long way and will often make you stand out. Be Responsive It’s agonizing to send a text message and not received an immediate response. We’ve trained ourselves to think the same way about more traditional communication too - when you send an email or make a phone call, you hope to receive a timely response. Let’s be serious – you want them to answer the phone so you can get your question answered or answer the email so you know they’re informed. All too often we opt not to respond at all, ignoring the communication all together (this directly goes against “Be Kind,” by the way). Since we’re attached to our inbox and phones, a brief response is possible and simple enough to do – don’t overthink it, just respond. Be Knowledgeable The interview process is not the time to “wing it.” Make sure to gather all the information you’ll need to make it productive. Interviewers should know the job description, salary budget, expectations, company policies, etc. Interviewees need to come prepared, having done research on the company, the executive team and most importantly, the people they are meeting with. When you know the basics (this should be a given if you’re even interested), you can spend the interview getting to know each other. Be Willing To Help Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Maybe you’re not the right fit or maybe it’s one of the many reasons that mean you need to move on. In these events, take the time to request and give feedback about the decision and make sure you understand the “why,” so you can learn and grow from it. Also, think about how you can help either pass along other available positions or even potential candidates to help keep the search moving forward. Even if it didn’t work this time around, you may need each other down the road – so, never ever forget that business is built on relationships and interviewing is the start of a relationship. Best of luck.

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Alexis Barnett Gillette, named one of 1851?s “ 2013 Young Ones to Watch “, is a relationship-driven franchise and marketing leader. Most recently, Director of Marketing for MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes*, a leader in the “better burger” fast-casual segment, Gillette’s strategic vision for system programs, implementation of processes and procedures, along with innovation in technology and digital media resulted in nearly 100% unit growth for 2012. Contact Gillette via Email at [email protected]