Dubin & Lee Blog

The ONLY 3 things you control in the interview process

When interviewing for a job, there are only 3 things you control in the entire interview process. Over the years, I have seen so many people drive themselves CRAZY trying to control what they have no control over...such is life.  As many success strategists tell us (and common sense) you will get more results by focusing your energy on the things you can control.

Here are the only 3 thing you control in the interview process as the interviewee

1.  Preparation for the job interview. Interview preparation includes researching the company, preparing answers for the specific questions the interviewer could ask as well as the generic questions almost everyone asks, preparing your appearance (dry cleaning, hair cut, etc.) and most importantly your attitude! Before you walk in, remind yourself of all you have to offer the company NOT of the holes in your experience.

2.  Job interview performance.  The most common negative feedback I get from hiring managers  about how someone did in an interview has to do with one of the following:

• A first impression blunder (“he was sitting on the lobby sofa when I came out, slouched like he was watching football on a Sunday afternoon)
• Inadequate company research (“she asked questions that she should have known just by going on our website”)
• Poor listening skills (“he did not answer the question I asked” or “never gave me a chance to ask questions”)
• Non-verbal blunders such as poor eye contact, poor hand-shake, fidgety, sweaty and sitting back in the chair.

3. The "thank you" note.I have seen someone not get a job offer more than once just because of the "thank you" note.  Sometimes because the competition's "thank you" note was better and sometimes because one was not sent at all.  It sounds pretty basic but I have seen a CFO hyphen “Thank-you” and that lack of attention to detail was a big enough blunder to give his competition the edge.

That’s it folks.  That’s ALL YOU have control over so do it to the BEST of your capabilities and move on.  Trying to follow up with your interviewer and readdress questions or issues never works.  It usually works to your detriment.

When do I see this the most?

 A passive job seeker shows up to an interview just to “check it out” then realizes that this would be a great opportunity and then, after the fact, really wants the job.  It’s too late now. 

Interview every time like it’s the opportunity of a lifetime because it just may be.

Do not underestimate the importance of the "thank you" Note.

Get my Thank You Note Guide to make a lasting impression and master 1 or the 3 things you have control of in the interview.

 

 

Posted by:

Saundra Lee

President, Dubin & Lee