What to Do Before, During and After a Job Interview

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GUEST BLOGGER

Sharon Armstrong, Career Coach at the upcoming ACFE Global Fraud Conference, June 12-17
Author of The Essential HR Handbook and The Essential Performance Review Handbook

“Where your talents and the needs of the world cross,” said Aristotle, “there lies your vocation.” 

The interview is your opportunity to communicate the value you can add to an organization. You need to sell yourself effectively. To do that, you need to match the position requirements with your own set of skills, accomplishments and personal qualities. Know exactly what you have to offer your prospective employer. Then research, prepare and practice.

But never forget that the interview process is a two-way street. While the interviewer is checking you out to determine if you are a good fit for the job, you should be deciding if the employer is a good match for you. Which means you don’t just answer questions in an interview, you ask them, too.

Here’s some helpful information to help you plan for that all-important meeting. Customize these reminders to your own situation and use them to nail the interview and land the job: 

Before the Interview:

  • Visit the company website and get informed about the organization, its services and its products.
  • Know something about the interviewers, if possible.
  • Practice common interview questions. (Be prepared to answer ‘conflict’ type questions.)
  • Be prepared to ask questions. (You’ll get high marks for any substantive question…questions about the organization, the future of the organization, your role, the value you can add, how you can work effectively with your boss, etc.)
  • Bring extra copies of your résumé and reference list.
  • Get a good night’s sleep.
  • Dress appropriately.
  • Arrive a little early.
  • Be polite and professional as soon as you walk in the door.

At the Interview

  • Practice direct eye contact.
  • Listen.
  • Give good ‘accomplishment’ answers.
  • Be yourself.
  • Be truthful.
  • Stay positive.
  • Demonstrate integrity.
  • Smile easily and warmly.
  • Ask questions.
  • Show enthusiasm.
  • Let the interviewer know that you’ve reviewed the organization’s website and what you learned.

After the Interview

  • A follow-up letter should be sent promptly after every interview!
  • Do a pros/cons list.
  • Critique your performance.
  • Contact your references.

An interview is the single most important hurdle in your job search. How you plan for the interview ahead of time will go a long way toward determining its outcome. The key to an effective interview is to separate yourself from the crowd by exceeding the interviewer’s expectations. Only then will you be invited to continue in the selection process and eventually receive an offer.

Try these ideas in your search and let me know how they turn out at the Career Connection at this year’s ACFE Global Fraud Conference, June 12-17, 2016.

Job Hunting in 2016: It’s Complicated

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GUEST BLOGGER

Kathy Lavinder
Owner and Executive Director of Security & Investigative Placement Consultants

Job hunting used to be so simple. Put together a career history résumé, proof it for errors, fax or mail it out, go for an interview or two, and negotiate a salary and start date. That scenario is so last century! Any fraud fighter looking to make a job change these days had better prepare for a lengthy, and sometimes frustrating, process. 

The number of applicants for every position remains high but that’s just one of the challenges. Putting together a résumé that will get past the Applicant Tracking Systems most employers use is probably one of the biggest hurdles. Key word matches are paramount, along with a résumé that has been carefully tailored to the opportunity to reflect relevant experience. Producing a new version of the résumé for every opening is essential and can make the difference between getting traction and being ignored. 

Job seekers also have to continually update and refine their career messaging on LinkedIn and continue to expand their networks on the site, while checking specialized LinkedIn groups for job leads. If you want to be viewed by the fraud-fighting community as someone who is in touch with current issues you’ll also have to share articles on LinkedIn and start discussions about fraud-related topics.

The interview process always begins with an initial telephone screening, either with an external or in-house recruiter. Preparation is the key for clearing the phone screen. Smart job seekers distill their message, succinctly highlighting how their experience is a match for the role. Doing research on the employer, as well as seriously considering the specifics of the role, can lead to insightful questions that cast a job seeker in a good light.

At the in-person interview stage expect a very lengthy process that involves multiple meetings with one or two key decision makers. Finalists can also be asked back several times to meet with individuals across the organization. The jobs website Glassdoor reports that a few years ago it typically took companies 13 days to hire a new employee. It’s now up to 23 days, but even that is much quicker than what I have seen over the past year.

Companies also are more likely to require personality inventory testing to better understand how an applicant thinks and functions within a team. Fraud roles will often include a test that probes on integrity issues. Interviewees may be asked to make a presentation to a panel to demonstrate communication skills and subject matter knowledge. It’s not unusual for finalists to be expected to wait in the wings while an internal dialogue plays out in which one person is selected and a job offer finalized. You won’t know if you’re that person until the phone rings.

The process doesn’t end with an accepted job offer. Any offer is contingent on a successful background screening, and in some cases, a drug test. This process usually takes 10 days to two weeks. Patience, determination and perseverance are necessary to land that dream job.