Interview Strategies for Success

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Landing a job, particularly your first, is nothing short of intimidating. The most challenging part of the process is the pressure to execute a stellar interview. This undertaking is not limited to those entering the workforce for the first time; it applies to everyone at all levels. Let's face it, interviewing is nerve-racking, especially when a lot is riding on it. A successful interview should include a strategy that involves professionalism, preparation and practice; lots of practice. Here are some tips to help build confidence and ensure everything goes well. 

Professionalism

• Show up early. Before your interview, take the time to familiarize yourself with the route to your destination, estimate how long it will take, then add an hour. Getting stuck in traffic and running the risk of being late is stressful and could compromise the quality of your interview. Arriving early for the interview will give you time to gather yourself.
• Always acknowledge the receptionist. You always want to put your best foot forward and demonstrate a friendly disposition. This will go a long way in impressing the hiring manager, who may ask the receptionist for their input. 
• Dress the part. While business casual may be the norm, it's important to show good judgment in presenting yourself as a consummate professional. Even if the interview is on Zoom, always dress for the occasion. As the saying goes, it's always better to overdress than underdress. 
• While this might seem obvious, you'd be surprised how many people forget to turn off their cell phones. If needed, set an alarm to remind you. 
• Come prepared. Always bring extra copies of your résumé, a notepad, a pen, a water bottle and your list of questions for the interviewer. 
• Never speak poorly about your present or former employer. Doing so will come across as classless and offensive. 
• Always send a thank you note, preferably on the same day as your interview. Thank the interviewer for their time, and always end it by expressing your interest in the job. 
• Don't hound the hiring manager. It's fair to ask when you might hear back from them, but past that, let the employer take the lead. 

Preparation

• Do your homework. There's nothing worse than a candidate who doesn't take the time to research the organization, especially when information is readily available on the company website and Google. You risk portraying a lack of interest in the role by skipping this critical step. Also, research the hiring manager. This is when LinkedIn comes in handy. 
• Video interviews are becoming more common; therefore, you’ll want to choose a quiet and well-lit area. You don't want anything to distract the interviewer, so ensure your surroundings are tidy.   
• Log on to the designated video app several minutes beforehand to avoid last-minute technical difficulties. Ensure that no pending updates or reboots are required ahead of time. Installing updates can take some time, potentially making you late for your appointment. Also, test your camera and microphone to be sure they're functioning properly.

Practice

• Many sample interview questions are available online that you can utilize to practice interviewing. This is an excellent opportunity to refine your answers to make sure they are clear and to the point. 
• Be mindful of body language. Good posture and eye contact are signs that you are engaged in the conversation.  
• Come up with a concise way to discuss your work experience related to the position, your key accomplishments and the reasons for your moves. 
• When asked to describe your strengths, be bold. Practice your response and include examples that complement the role. 
• When asked to describe your weaknesses, flip the script. Instead of weaknesses, describe experiences and skills you'd like to refine that offer room for growth.
• Time management is key. Pace yourself. Don't spend too much time answering each question — especially the first few. That will throw off the rhythm of the interview. The typical interview will consist of about 10 questions. Ensure you leave time to answer them all and still have time for Q&A.  
• And most important, practice, practice, practice! Conduct a mock interview and record yourself. There's no better way to gauge your impact and effectiveness. 

Lastly, be yourself and have fun. Reaching the interview stage means you’re that much closer to landing that coveted job. The less pressure you put on yourself, the better. Approach each opportunity with the three Ps mentioned above and your confidence and likability will shine through.

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The Career Engineering series features the expert advice of Amy Rueda, a 25-year veteran of executive search, who has placed CEOs and C-suite executives across multiple industries and functional areas. Her passion for leading diversity initiatives that focus on change management and employee engagement is reflected in her portfolio of accomplishments. Amy studied political science and was born and raised in Los Angeles.

Email your career questions to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu and Amy will try and answer them in next month’s issue of Career Engineering.

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