What to Do Before, During and After a Job Interview

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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.

6 Small Things that Can Have a Big Impact On Your Career

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

When it comes to the job hunt, sometimes it’s the small things that have the biggest impact. After 15 years recruiting anti-fraud specialists I’ve seen countless instances when attention to detail and good manners have carried a candidate over the finish line. Here are some small things that you should not overlook when searching for a job:

Be responsive: When a recruiter, an associate, a professional contact, or a hiring manager calls or emails about a position, respond in a timely fashion. It’s shocking how many candidates take days or even weeks to reply after an initial contact. That’s a surefire way to miss out on what could be a great opportunity. It’s equally shocking how many people have voicemail boxes that are full and won’t accept messages. Opportunity may not come knocking twice, so be ready.

But don’t be too hasty: If you’re responding to an overture in writing, thoughtfully compose your reply. Make sure to avoid grammatical or spelling mistakes. Don’t expect anyone to overlook issues just because the reply is sent from a smart phone. Attention to detail is important in even the most basic of communications. Also, avoid jumping to conclusions about the role you’ve been contacted about. Make an informed decision once you’ve learned more, as opposed to a knee-jerk response.

Be on time: Just to state the obvious, being late for any interview – phone or in-person – is unacceptable and almost always a deal breaker. Strong organizational and time management skills are essential for all fraud fighters and job seekers.

Be a good listener: Anti-fraud practitioners should have well developed listening skills, so make sure those are on display during any conversations about a potential career opportunity. Avoid asking questions that can be answered by a careful reading of the position description. The hallmark of a good listener is in the quality of follow-up questions he or she poses. Not only will you glean valuable information, but you’ll impress the interviewer when your questions reveal thoughtfulness and an insightful understanding.

Dress the part: Your clothing, makeup, and grooming choices all communicate things about you.  Polished shoes, trimmed nails and hair, ironed clothing and business-appropriate attire are expected. Candidates who miss the mark on any of these will be at a disadvantage should their skills and experience be comparable to other candidates who are suitably turned out.

Good manners rule: The use of social niceties, such as please and thank you, is expected. Good manners reflect a respect for others and indicate not only an awareness of social norms, but the likelihood of being a good team player. A carefully crafted thank you note, either hand-written or via email, is essential after any interview. It not only communicates your appreciation for the other person’s time and attention, but is a great way to reiterate your interest in the role. Even if you have decided not to pursue the opportunity further, remember to say thank you. 

Hiring decisions are based on multiple factors and calculations, but any job seeker would be wise to get the little things right. They can only help your chances of getting hired. 

3 Sample Scripts You Can Use While Navigating Your Job Search

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Kimberly Schneiderman, NCRW, CLTMC, CEIC
Owner, City Career Services

As a career coach, clients often say to me “Hold on, I want to write down what you just said.” Or “Your wording is perfect; I wish I could remember it when I am in an interview.” Whenever this happens, I am honored to have gained the trust and confidence of my clients. And, like most situations, things can be a bit clearer from the outside.

With that mind, let’s review some sample scripts you can use (pulled from real situations) as you navigate your own job search and networking pursuits:

• Self-Marketing Message: Next time someone asks you “So, what do you do?” take advantage of the opportunity to answer in a way that communicates what you want to be doing. Try answering using a combination of present-day information, while also mentioning your goal. If you are in an aggressive job search, it might sound something like this: ”I am a fraud analyst with a specialty in credit card payments for large retailers and anchor stores. Right now I am at Nordstrom, and am seeking a new position, ideally for a global retail organization.”
•  LinkedIn Networking: Perhaps there is a position at Bank of America listed on LinkedIn and you want to connect with a real person about that job, but you only have 2nd-degree connections to people there. Go ahead and contact the shared 1st-degree connections with this: “Hi Jeff, great seeing you at the ACFE conference last month. Right now, I’m hoping you can help me with something. There is an open fraud examiner position at Bank of America; I see that you know John Doe at the company. Would you be willing to introduce me to John so I can ask him a couple questions about the job?” Once Jeff makes the introduction, you can talk with John about your background and see what he knows about the open position. Ultimately, if things go smoothly, you might ask John for an introduction to the hiring manager for that position.
• How to Yes, but No. But, more importantly Yes!: Perhaps a recruiter has approached you about an open training position that intrigues you, but your skill set isn’t a 100 percent match. Try this: “I welcome the opportunity to speak with the organization about their training program needs. My experience is not a direct match for their entire needs list, so perhaps they may want to talk with me about how my niche experience could fit some of their needs.” From there, give a synopsis of that niche experience. No matter what, there is almost always a way to tie the experience you do have with at least part of the company’s needs.

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!

Think Before You Speak: The cost of sharing TMI during a job interview

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

As a fraud investigator there is almost never too much information (TMI) to consider during an investigation. Granted, data analytical tools may be needed to sift and sort huge amounts of information, but it’s better to have more information than less during an investigation. However, the same is not true when you’re a job seeker. Of course you will want to learn all that you can about a new professional opportunity, including more about the role, the employer, how success will be measured, etc. That’s an understandable and prudent approach for a job seeker.

There is a danger for job seekers in oversharing. Just as many people overshare in social media, I’m encountering more and more candidates who share way too much information during the interview process. It’s not helpful, and, in fact, it is counterproductive to share too much personal information during an interview with a recruiter or hiring manager. One recent example I encountered was a candidate who told the hiring manager that she tended toward hypochondria and would rush to see a doctor if anything seemed “off.” Another candidate became more relaxed as the interview progressed, and he began to offer various opinions, including his thoughts about one of the higher ups in the firm he was seeking to join. The interviewer had not asked for his opinion; the candidate simply decided to opine on the person’s technical knowledge and overall competency. With no surprise, both of these candidates were declined by the respective hiring managers.      

What is surprising is how many professionals these days speak before they think. That’s a terrible quality in an anti-fraud professional, and a negative in most any role and environment. Employers are looking for fundamentally good judgment in their new hires, and one way they assess that is to consider the person’s oral communication skills.

If you’re being interviewed for a new role or a possible promotion, plan ahead. Before the interview, make notes about points you want to emphasize during the interview. Have concise answers ready in your head that will address standard interview questions and topics. You don’t want to sound robotic or rehearsed, but you can benefit from advance preparation that helps crystallize your thoughts, refine your talking points, reflect on your accomplishments, initiatives and results, and articulate how you will be of value to the organization. 

I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your opinions to yourself. Critical comments about a co-worker, supervisor or employer are almost always the kiss of death. Even if your comments are fair or widely shared in your current organization, they could cause the interviewer to conclude you are a disgruntled or negative person. The best way to avoid this common interview pitfall is to let the interviewer do as much talking as she or he chooses. Be a good listener and respond succinctly to questions without opinions, digressions or a hint of negativity.