Turing an Interview into a double win

Simple and yet useful dos and donts when having in an interview.

Usual guides of making a sucesfull interview almost all times forget the side of the one performing the interview. But guess what. A sucesfull interview contains at least two sides. Therefore is essential that both parties have planned accordingly their discussion as a 45' interview may turn out to become a binding contract that none would like to witness breaching.

“Prepare yourself .”

Being a candidate is not a simple thing . You have to prepare yourself . Well probably is not the case. If you tell the truth then you don't have to remember frequently answered questions . Therefore don't be anxious about what should be answered. Prepare yourself for being honest, transparent and open. Answering is not a lesson which can be learned. Is a skill which can be devloped over hours and hours of discussions and argumentations. An introduction of yourself is always welcome. However it has to be time-limited and not repeating the information you have included into the CV. The interviewer will test the ability to stick to the point of discussion and the skill to present your brand in the best possible way.Perhaps is the 50% of the interview though you will have to convince that you are the right person for the right position at the right moment. Perhaps you have checked it also on other guidelines over a sucesfull interview but checking on the background of the company, the milestones, the history and the reputation on the marker will always save a lot of time while will give the impression to the interviewer that you have done some homework.

Being on the other side of the river though is totally the opposite. As the interviewer you have to prepare by setting a list of questions , a scoring matrix and an evaluation method so that each interview to be noted and archived. Questions have to be combined with discussion over the answers provided. Is a good practice to address questions of generic knwoldegde natue (eg, Capital of Ecuador, currency of Japan, etc) that would provide the candidate a bit of a suprpise and will be checked the reflexes and the ability to adapt to change.

“Be transparent.”

Being a candidate you have to be honest and transparent. Being so you don't have to remember things nor to pretend something you are not. Hence the more straightforward you are the more will be appreciated by the interviewer . It is OK to say " i don't know" or " i am not familiar with the issue" . As long as this is not repeated too many times during the discussion that will be no problem. Ask questions that are critical for you. But be sure that the questions raised are not pretending a potential interest but a real one.

Being an interviewer also, honesty is much appreciated by the candidate. More than 50% of the canidadates which have been selected by the interviewerers , at some point they turn down the offer because they have felt that the company or the interviewer have not shown honesty and integrity during the process. Therefore is very important to present also the negative part of the work as well as the positive. Presenting the negative part of the offered job will sort out the ones that they had a dreamy job into their mind and will convince the candidate that if selected, won't be jsut sunshine and rainbows. In the end of the day you wish not just to recruit someone, but to equip your company with an employee that will give as much to the company as he is given. Remember, honesty is rewarded and dishonesty is paid back.

“Be yourself .”

You simply don't have to pretent someone you are not. Dress like you consider the occation of the interview and speak like speaking formally. Using words and expressions that simply don't look like being generated by you will be easily discovered by the interviewer. Therefore speak the truth, speak free from anxiety over how will be interpreted your opinion and don't be afraid to express yourself. Now here is an important issue. Saying your opinion is always allowed and welcome. Saying something that is knowldege though will be appreciated and evaluated. Be careful though not to overeact since the interviewer usually is a person that is pretty much familiar with the topic and he will tell whether you are saying is right or not.And have always in mind that an interview is not an invitation to express your opinion but to demonstrate what you know.

On the other side of the river things are much more simple. And yet underestimated since easily you might get bored or become arrogant which is something easily noticed. Hence you should always consider that maybe after the interview you shall have to work with the guy you have in front of you so watch yourself of how you present the facts,how you are reacting to the answers and don't pretend to be someone you do not. The interview is the first step but no the only one. Real life statrs after the contract is signed. The last thing you want is to understand that the person you have selected had created a different impression from the one he saw on the interview which might lead to de-motivation, discourage and eventually resignation.

“Show Respect.”

Being on time, shaking hands, being polite are things well known. Yet is not standard that each party shall show respect the one to the other. Showing bored, not interested for the discussion or bad tempered is surely a sign that would be better to cancel the interview than to spoil the time for both parties.Remember that this hour could change the life of two persons. Consequently if your start the interview make sure you will finish in the best possible and proffesional way.