Got an interview coming up? I’d love to share some tips with you.
They are a little unconventional, but they have never failed to get me the job!
Tip 1: Know this is the right role for you
When I say know, I mean really know.
You need to feel excited about the company and role that you’ve applied for. If something feels ‘off’ in a way that you can’t quite put your finger on, politely decline the interview.
“But why not go along anyway for the experience?” you ask?
Sure, you could go to the interview, but the danger is that you’ll show no real passion for the role and hence fail to get the job. Interviewers can detect a lack of excitement from a mile away.
We all know that failing a job interview can leave you feeling down. Out of desperation you’ll be inclined to lower your standards and cast a wider net, leading you to a succession of failed interviews for jobs you never really wanted in the first place. A vicious cycle!
There is no point in going to any interview unless you are sure you really want the job.
You don’t need ‘interview practice’ that leaves you feeling dejected and worthless. You need genuine passion for a job that feels like it is the next logical step in your life.
Don’t make a move until you feel inspired and excited.
Tip 2: Empathise with the interviewer
I’ve interviewed many software developers in my years as a tech lead. Let me tell you, it’s gruelling work.
You would be surprised at how few candidates walk through the door looking excited to be there. Instead, most of them mumble answers to questions whilst looking down at the desk. You have to energise people who seem to show no enthusiasm for the role they’ve applied for.
You may have to go hungry as many interviews are held over lunchtimes when candidates can escape from their current jobs.
Interviewing is a slog. It can last for weeks.
Anyone interviewing you cannot wait to get the whole process over with and go back to doing their real job!
Why am I telling you this? Because if you are able to put yourself in their shoes, you can offer your tired, stressed-out interviewer a rare treat:
Tip 3: Flip it around
My number one goal at every interview is to get on an equal level with the interviewer as quickly as possible.
Sure, I’ll answer a few questions along the lines of “Did you get here ok?”, “So I see you worked at Company X”, but then I will immediately start to ask questions.
My goal is never to intimidate, but to offer the interviewer some much-needed relief from parroting the same scripted questions for the fifth time that day.
The best topic of conversation
Everyone has a subject they love to talk about: themselves! So I ask questions such as:
“So how long have you been working here?”
“Ah, so you must have joined when it was LittleIndie startup. I bet things changed a lot when BigTechCo acquired you?”
“I noticed you use <name of software>. What do you think about it?”
“You must feel very proud to be leading a team after only starting six months ago. I imagine it gets stressful at times?”
Every question you ask should be sincere and come from a genuine place. Your goal is to learn more about your potential role, and about the person you are going to be reporting to in the future.
Start off on the right foot
By flipping the interview around, you encourage a conversation of equals.
You’ll be amazed at how keen your interviewer will be to talk about their job with someone who listens and cares.
Of course, by asking questions you also get a much better indication of how right the role is for you.
“But what about all the questions they were supposed to ask you?” you are thinking.
In my experience, if you ask intelligent, empathic questions that show you care about your interviewer as a person, the only question they will be asking you is “When can you start?”.
Book Recommendation
Many years ago, before I went for my first job interview, I read a book that changed my life: How to Win Friends and Influence People. I re-read it every few years.
Now I know what you’re thinking: “It sounds awful! No thanks!” But trust me, if you can get beyond the title (blame the publisher for changing it), you will realise that this book is very special indeed. I think of it as the bible of human psychology.
It is how I learned how to empathise with people; a skill that has served me well in countless interviews and business meeting ever since. I cannot recommend it enough.