Inside the Mind of an Interviewer

Before you jump into the interview, it is crucial that we first take a step backward and try to see the interview purely from the interviewer's point of view.
What is he looking for? What does he want? What qualities, skills and experience is he looking for? If you can discover what he really wants - and match those requirements one-by-one you'll be amazed at how smooth and successful the interview can be.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Ability

Lets not kid ourselves. You can know all the tricks of the trade, be an expert in every aspect of interview psychology and even have the prettiest, hand-printed CVs - it really won't make the slightest difference unless you have the actual skills and ability to do the job advertised.

This is any interviewer's first objective: to ascertain if you have the ability to successfully carry out the functions you will be given if you get the job.

But during the interview it is not only essential that you inform the interviewer of your qualifications to do the job but that you can prove it to him there and then.

It is one thing being able to actually do the job - but quite another thing being able to convince the interviewer of this reality in a positive and enthusiastic manner during the brief span of an interview.

In fact this ability is the key difference that separates the winners from the losers.

Let's take an example.

James is going for an interview for the position of computer programmer. The company, in question is looking for a hardworking computer programmer who will help them develop a new software program.
The interviewer asks James, "Can you do the job?"
James smiles: "Yes I can.. It should be good, very interesting... looking forward to it.."

Now notice the difference when Joe is asked the same question. He knows he must not only tell his interviewer that he can do the job but prove it in such a way that the interviewer will not believe him but be excited by his potential. But how?

The secret is, in fact very simple: for every skill you list always recall an incident in which you successfully used that skill. The secret is: for every skill you list always recall an incident in which you successfully used that skill.
Before we get back to our computer programmer let me give you this example:

Mary desperately wanted the job of manager at her local florist shop. During the interview the owner said she was looking for someone who was hardworking and very ambitious to look after and build up the business.

Most applicants would have said, "Yes, I'm determined and will definitely strive to increase your turnover and profits. Yes I can do it...definitely"
Mary, however not only made a similar statement but she backed it up with a real-life practical example. She brought her statement to life.
She recalled her part-time summer job in a florist shop when she was a student. She noticed when she started the job that the shop looked 'run-down - that it lacked 'sparkle' and a sense of 'freshness'
So she told the interviewer how she went to the shop's owner and how she managed to get her to agree that when she worked in the shop over the weekend she would get an extra commission for all the extra customers she could attract to the shop.

So the following weekend Mary used her own money and managed to persuade her family and friends to help her re-paint and re-fashion the shop and deliver a single fresh free flower to every house in the surrounding area. And the shop's sales blossomed.

Can you now see the difference between just saying to an interviewer " I can do the job" to actually bringing such a statement to life.

And that's how Joe answers his questions. When he is asked can he do the job -he not only confirms his ability but he backs it up with personal examples of how, for example he programmed similar software for other High-Tec companies. In fact for every skill he lists he backs it up with personal examples.

Yes, this seem simple. Yet in the thousands and thousands of interviews I have sat through the vast majority of people will simply answer such questions with a bland .."Yes, I'm confident I can do the job� and leave it at that hoping the interviewer will be happy with that. He may be happy but will he be impressed? After the interview will you stand out from the other candidates?

Remember: every time you detail a specific skill that you can contribute to the business don't just make a bland statement, "I can do this and I can do that" - always back it up with personal real-life examples.
And, of course, always bring with you any documentation (neatly assembled in a smart folder) that will add weight and substance to your claims. Extra references, awards or prizes, for example you may have won or articles and reports that you may have written that stand out.

Suitability: The interview proceeds. The tone has changed. It has become more open, more relaxed. The original awkwardness you felt is beginning to dissipate. The interviewer is now happy that you at least have the necessary ability to carry out the basic requirements of the job. Now he'll want to know more about you. After all, he and his fellow colleagues may be spending a lot of their lives working with you.

So he will now try to find out if you are personally suitable for the job. He'll start to focus on trying to ascertain what type of person you are. To do this, most interviewers will try to see how you measure up under the following headings.

Desire / energy: Do you seem energetic? A person who gets up and does things with enthusiasm. Do you seem the type of person who wants to get ahead -who'll make a real difference?

Confidence / determination: Do you seem a relaxed, friendly yet confident person? Someone who'll be able to get on with others? Also someone who'll stick to a task until it is done.

Independent: What the interviewer is looking for here is someone who can be a team player and follow the directions of his supervisor but yet still have the maturity to be able to work unsupervised and direct and motivate herself. The employer is looking to see if you have this balance.

Motivation: Are you the type of person who wants to do well. To get ahead. To impress with your professionalism. To innovate. To build.

Power of communication: Have you the ability to mix and get on with people by communicating clearly and effectively. Will you be able to take extra responsibility in the future and be able to lead and motivate people through effective communication skills?

Likeability: Do you seem a friendly, OK person. This does not mean that you have to be perfect or the most popular person around. They just want to know if you are a friendly and easy person to get along with. Someone who will add to their existing team and not disrupt it.

HOW PROFESSIONAL ARE YOU?

A new stage now starts to emerge. The interviewer has now got to know you even more now. There is a definite softening in the atmosphere. An embryonic personal relationship seems to be developing between you and your fellow interviewers and you notice most of your pre-interview tension seems to have gone. You begin to allow yourself to relax a bit more.
The interviewer, too seems 'more human'. At this stage he is convinced you have the skills to do the job, he likes you - he feels you are personally suitable and he finds it easy to communicate with you.

In his own mind he is now beginning to see you not as an interviewee but as a potential employee. For the interviewer this is an important turning point. And he'll now want to take an even closer look at you from a professional business point of view.
He'll want to make sure that you'll be an asset to the firm, that you'll act in a professional manner and be loyal, reliable and trustworthy and be committed to the company.
The interviewer will want to make sure that you'll be loyal, reliable and trustworthy and be committed to the company.

As you speak and answer his questions he'll be trying to evaluate you under the following main headings.

Reliability: Do you seem honest, reliable. Someone who will do an honest day's work? Someone who is straightforward and has enough respect and pride in themselves to always want to do a
good job.

Honesty: Do you seem an honest, trustworthy person? Someone whom they can have full confidence in? Someone they could leave the keys to lock up at the end of the day?

Dedication: Do you seem hardworking and dedicated? Someone who starts a project and finishes it? A starter and a finisher? Someone who does not look for excuses to cover up failings and
moans about everything?

Communication: As discussed earlier under personal suitability are you the type of person who can get on with and communicate with all levels of the company from the tea lady to the M.D.?

Commitment: The interviewer is trying to judge if you got the job would you commit yourself fully to it? For example, what would you say if you were going for the job as a middle-
manager and the interviewer asked you: "As an employee would you clean the floors?" What the interviewer really wants to find out here is how committed you would be to the team - how
willing you would be to roll up your sleeves and do whatever is necessary to help your team get the job done.Don't only answer yes, but make sure you also give a personal example of a similar situation where you helped out to back up your answer.

CLOSING STATEMENTS

"Jim, just before we wrap up here, I want to ask you to put your faith in me and give me the job. I will reward you by doing my absolute best to do quality work and make our department shine."

"Paul, I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me about the position of "X" here at Company "Y". What you had to say about project "Z" makes it sound even more exciting! I am extremely interested in the position and I feel that my background in "A" and my three years experience in "B" really makes me a strong candidate. I would like to follow up with you next week to see where you are in the hiring process. Can I give you a ring? If you need anything from me in the mean time -- like work samples, references, etc. -- then by all means give me a call or shoot me an email. Lastly, I would like to say that I really want the job, and I hope you will offer it to me. Thank you for your time today! I look forward to hearing from you by Wednesday of next week."

"... It's not your will to win, but your will to PREPARE to win that makes the difference. ..."

"Now, to be sure we are both clear on my qualifications, what you get with me is (detailed list of skills, Behavioral Competencies, and benefits of working with you) ... Are these kind of qualifications you are looking for? Great! I really do want the job, and I would like to hear from you by next Wednesday because your decision will have an impact on decisions I have to make concerning other opportunities I am currently pursuing. Can I give you a call early next week to see where you are with the hiring process? What are the next steps we should take?"

"Jim, we seem to be in agreement that I have the qualifications, skills, and experience it will take to succeed here? Great! If you make the decision to hire me, would it be reasonable to expect a formal offer letter by Thursday of next week? I want to ask you to put your faith in me and give me the job."

Here Are Some Questions for YOU to use On The Interviewer

What are the day-to-day expectations and responsibilities of the person hired into this position? What would make that person a superstar?
What does your boss expect of you and your team in terms of performance? How could I help you meet those goals?
What's the one thing I could do on the job that would benefit you and the company the most?
Have I addressed that 100% to your satisfaction?
Does that answers your question about "X"?
Does that make sense? You follow me? Is that a good example?
You do think that my experience with that type of situation would be relevant to my work here, don't you?
I think that's the kind of experience you are looking to bring to your team, isn't it?
You would agree that this type of experience will help me here, wouldn't you?