What are the most important factors about a job interview?
The road to career success would be far less winding and complex if we could just make the interview process standardized and predictable. Unfortunately, there is little consistency from one company to the next in terms of how they choose to approach the process. Consider these factors:
- Timing: Is it a one-hour interview, or an all-day series of six interviews?
- Players: Will you meet with a recruiter, a hiring manager, or the entire team?
- Content: What will they ask and how will they ask it to get what they want from you?
- Delivery: Will they be engaged and take a friendly tone or favor intimidation tactics?
While it is likely that you will have advanced notice regarding these factors (for example, an interview itinerary outlining who you will be meeting with is typical), you need to be ready to navigate through uncertainty. The best way to achieve success in this process is simple: Practice. Then practice some more.
Before the interview
After the interview
“Think a better you, not a brand new you. Much as you would on any intelligent new physical exercise or diet program, you do not build huge muscles in the first week; nor so do you drop thirty pounds in the first month. Instead, you slowly develop new habits, new strengths, and new actions.”