Can I please have your very best interview tips? (Updated)

[v]

I have a half hour phone interview tomorrow with the hiring manager for a job that I REALLY want.  I tend to think that I'm not a good interviewer, given my track record of not getting jobs.

One thing: my current practice is representing clients in a certain industry in litigation.  This job is in that industry, but it is in an area I have little experience in (and my experience in that area is from 5+ years ago).  Any ideas on how to finesse this?  I am studying up on that industry, but beyond that?

It was a crying-in-the-shower-about-having-to-go-to-work morning, that turned into a onset-of-a-panic-attack morning so needless to say I'd really like to ace this interview.

Thank you very much!

[5thofjuly]

I end up conducting a fair number of interviews in academia (so, a totally different field) but I will tell you that one thing that I look for is for specific examples to accompany generalities. So, for example, if I ask, "What are your strengths as an educator?" I don't want just, "I'm student-centered." I want, "I'm student-centered. For example, after surveying my class following XYZ exercise, I discovered that many of them wanted to learn more about ABC. Therefore, I shifted around my next lecture to use ABC as the guiding framework, and showed students ways that they could incorporate ABC into their final papers."

[boiler717]

Be confident. As much as they want expertise, they want someone who is warm, friendly, will fit in well with the group. Smile, look in the mirror while talking, be engaging.

Usually when I interview I come up with 3-5 scenarios that I feel best represent the qualities I'm trying to showcase (matching those to the job description). I use these situations to answer questions in the STAR format (having notes that I speak from during the interview).

For example, I like to show initiative, process improvement, building consensus, training and educating, etc. Situation: my colleagues were discussing how they weren't aware of certain resources we had or how to use them, and they often missed opportunities with external collaborators to share this information.
Task: With the okay from my boss, I took on the task of developing a better platform for storing and receiving these resources
Action: I researched new technologies available, met with IT to determine capabilities and found an existing software platform available at no additional licensing cost. I sought training classes on the platform, developed a test site, surveyed my colleagues for feedback. Built a full functioning platform, trained my colleagues and developed a quick reference guide for them.
Result: my colleagues have a clear picture of resources and are able to quickly package for customers. Customers now receive information that is consistent with our strategy and information is ensured to be up to date. This information was able to be used in X number of external presentations reaching over Y number of prescribers.

I can use that one situation to answer a variety of different questions. I keep a running list of these situations for interviews.

[rbp]

Smile when you talk. Pause after you finish responding so that you and the interviewer aren't talking over one another.

Good luck!!

[niq]

Imagine that you're doing the company a favor just by interviewing there.
If you're not sure where the interviewer is going with a question, repeat it back to them in your own words.
Listen to gummy dancepop for a few minutes beforehand.

[DirtySouth]

Ugh, I'm sorry about the work dread.  I've never worked at a big firm, but I have been in some miserable work situations that gave me actual panic attacks, and that is such an awful place to be.  I hope you find something much better very soon.

I think the biggest thing with job interviews is to be very likable.  I work with a consultant who only works with lawyers, and something he stresses is that people gravitate toward other people who make them feel good.  When it comes down to deciding between two equally qualified job candidates or choosing which lawyer to refer a case to, the decision maker usually goes with their gut feeling, and this gut feeling comes from how good they felt when talking to you.  This makes a phone interview hard because so much of it is body language - a warm smile, leaning forward a little bit, not crossing your arms, appearing confident and completely at ease.  But you can focus on being warm and likable over the phone as well.  I think the best interviews are the ones where you walk away feeling like you had a nice, pleasant, informative conversation with a colleague.  Ask good questions, try to keep things conversational rather than them just firing off questions that you succinctly answer, bring up some good points that naturally flow with the conversation, and focus on coming across as very personable and a pleasure to work with and be around.  

I don't have much advice about selling yourself for this different type of job, other than expressing your enthusiasm for this industry, and maybe coming up with examples for why your strengths are better suited for this type of job.  

Good luck!!!

[Deleted]

Sept 16, 2014 8:29:13 GMT -5 @marshmallows said:

I've heard numerous times from interviewers that you can easily pick up a type of litigation/transaction as long as you have been practicing litigation/transactions at a high level for a long time. In fact, my current job is in an area where I have little to no experience, and my interviewers were totally fine with that. What they wanted were my litigation skills, my client-facing experience, etc. I would focus on ways your experience is analogous to what they do, and try not to focus on your lack of experience. Just keep going back to your skills unless directly asked.

You're going to do great!!!

Sorry to hijack, marshmallows, I have a question about this, do you mind if I PM you?

To v - good luck! Be confident. Someone once said to take phone interviews standing up if possible. I usually keep a pad with notes/talking points/list of accomplishments in front of me for easy reference.

[rikki]

I agree with the idea of keeping notes in front of you. I did that on a phone interview and it totally helped. I have my fingers and toes for you. Good luck!

[Deleted]

Be confident.

Listen carefully and answer the question being asked. You'd be amazed how many people don't do that.

[genet313]

Research the company/firm and try to get specific information about what your role would be.  I find my best interviews are those where it's very clear I've done my homework on the company beforehand, and what I think my place will be within it b/c the interviewer then gets engaged and they seem to love that. 

Also, you already are eager about the job, but let the interviewer know that.  That goes a long way.

[v]

Thanks so much, guys.

Sept 16, 2014 7:23:00 GMT -5 drruth said:

Do you have a trusted friend (someone who isn't afraid to give honest feedback) that you could practice with?

Are there ways that working in your current industry could strengthen your work in this industry? If so I would highlight that.

I do have a very kind friend in recruitment who has offered to help me with interview tips and tricks.  (And I was referred to this job by a friend who is friends with the hiring manager who *really* talked me up, so hopefully that gives me a leg up).  I will say, if there is anything that my frustrating job search has taught me, it is that I have FANTASTIC, super helpful friends.  I'm really lucky. 

Working in my current industry definitely strengthens my credentials in this industry.  Let's say that the industry I represent has 10 different segments.  I work in about 5 of them, but this is 1 of the others.  So I think general industry knowledge is very helpful, but there are plenty of people who have specialized in the 1 that this job is in.  I do plan on majorly talking up my (admittedly few) experiences with work in that industry.

[mlvmd]

Phone interviews are particularly difficult. However, I recently finished being on the hiring side of some and noticed a few things. Don't talk too much. Answer the question and don't be afraid to pause. If they are expecting more and there is a lot of dead air it's okay to ask if they need any further details or another example. Try to answer the question in a way that highlights both your skills and your character. Try to get a feel for their priorities and respond accordingly. Are they emphasizing research and knowledge base or client interactions?

[wavepool]

Confidence!
Also, don't speak quickly and go off on tangents. As pp said, listen carefully to the question and address the question. Sometimes it may take a second to think, which is okay (although over the phone I'd guess the pause is a little different).
Let the interviewer talk as much as they want! I've had interviewers that I felt like were interviewing themselves by how much they talked and I pretty much wound up encouraging/adding to what they were saying (and got the job).
Good luck!!

[spunkarella]

You've gotten good advice, so I will just say good luck. Fingers crossed for you!

[v]

Just had the interview -- woman was nice to talk to, the job sounds great, and I've been invited to come in to meet with the team.

Thanks everyone!

[tacom]

Awesome update!

[formerlyak]

Sept 16, 2014 11:30:59 GMT -5 v said:

Thanks so much, guys.

Sept 16, 2014 7:23:00 GMT -5 drruth said:

Do you have a trusted friend (someone who isn't afraid to give honest feedback) that you could practice with?

Are there ways that working in your current industry could strengthen your work in this industry? If so I would highlight that.

I do have a very kind friend in recruitment who has offered to help me with interview tips and tricks.  (And I was referred to this job by a friend who is friends with the hiring manager who *really* talked me up, so hopefully that gives me a leg up).  I will say, if there is anything that my frustrating job search has taught me, it is that I have FANTASTIC, super helpful friends.  I'm really lucky. 

Working in my current industry definitely strengthens my credentials in this industry.  Let's say that the industry I represent has 10 different segments.  I work in about 5 of them, but this is 1 of the others.  So I think general industry knowledge is very helpful, but there are plenty of people who have specialized in the 1 that this job is in.  I do plan on majorly talking up my (admittedly few) experiences with work in that industry.

I think this is the way to go. I hate interviewing someone who is trying to make their experience seem better than it is in a particular area. I'd much rather someone say, "Well I have been working in that industry for x years, and while my focus has been primarily in segments 1-5, I have worked on a few projects relating to segment 6. For example ... " and then give some examples.

I have been doing a lot of hiring lately and you would be amazed at the bs people try to sell. I am in higher ed fundraising. I know my industry and I know that a 90% grant proposal success rate is unheard of. Some guy actually tried to tell me that was his record in an interview. I would much rather hire someone with good skills who presented their experiences honestly and ethically so if I choose them, I know what I am working with and where a little extra education or professional development might be necessary, than someone who sells the moon and can't deliver.

[Deleted]

Such an exciting update!!!!!! Sending good vibes up to you in NYC, so glad the interview went well.

[WinterWine]

Woohoo!! Awesome update!! I hope the next round goes just as smoothly for you :-)

[v]

Sept 17, 2014 18:56:18 GMT -5 WinterWine said:

Woohoo!! Awesome update!! I hope the next round goes just as smoothly for you :-)

Me too!  Although she did warn me that they brought her in 4 or 5 times when she interviewed 

[WinterWine]

v That's crappy- I hate when companies do that. How the hell is someone supposed to call in sick or miss work that many times without raising suspition. I hope they are flexible with scheduling! You've got this :-)

[v]

Sept 17, 2014 19:04:49 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Sept 17, 2014 18:58:18 GMT -5 v said:

Me too!  Although she did warn me that they brought her in 4 or 5 times when she interviewed 

I did 15 rounds with one company in my darkest days of job hunting.  15.  A hiring freeze was implemented while I was mid-process but they were trying to find a way to work around it for me.  Ultimately they just let it peter out without giving me a definitive answer one way or the other.  Awesome experience.

[dexteroni]

Good luck!

[thedutchgirl]

Fingers crossed for you!

[DirtySouth]

Awesome update!! Good luck!

Sent from my HTC One mini