So, in your field of competitors for the same job, how will you fare? Which person will the employer choose to bring on board? Here are some tips to help you zoom in on the preparation and approach that will give you the best shot at the job.
The Best-Prepared Candidate
The person who's invested the most pre-interview time in learning about the employer has a big advantage over the rest of the pack. It's not enough to know what business the employer is in. You've got to know which business issues (aging client base, lack of infrastructure, or global competition, for example) they're up against, and you've got to be ready to talk about how you can help surmount those hurdles. Use news sites and the company's own website to nail those pre-interview research items and be ready to talk intelligently about them.
The Most Self-Aware Candidate
You know which interviewee behavior most irritates hiring managers? It's the one where a candidate is asked, "So, can you please tell me some of what you know about Marketing Research?" and s/he jumps in with, "Oh, I'm an expert in that!" The annoying candidate is also an expert in Operations Research, International Taxation, and every other subject under the sun. No one's going to be impressed by a job-seeker's self-proclaimed expertise in 50 different topic areas. Be frank about what you're good at, and equally frank about subjects where you don't know a lot, just now (but are eager to learn!).
The Most Intellectually Curious Candidate
Interviewers want to answer job-seekers' questions. They don't want to answer questions about the dental plan or the number of sick days you'll accrue in a year. They want to answer your smart, insightful business questions -- questions about where the industry is headed and whether the competition's recent acquisition of XYZ Industries is likely to have an impact on next quarter's sales. They want to converse with applicants who are curious about more than the pay, the hours, and the 401(k) plan. If you want to present yourself as hirable, ask thoughtful questions about the role and the organization, every chance you get.
Liz Ryan is a 25-year HR veteran, former Fortune 500 VP and an internationally recognized expert on careers and the new millennium workplace. Contact Liz at liz@asklizryan.com or join the Ask Liz Ryan online community at www.asklizryan/group.
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