In the semi-regular feature here at STA, “The Other Side of the Aisle,” bosses get a chance to talk about work from their perspective. Here, one boss (we’ll call her “Cheryl”) talks about her experiences interviewing potential assistants and gives helpful pointers about what bosses want people to say or do in interviews.
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As someone who interviews 15-20 people a year, mostly for part time admin positions, I see a variety of folks come through my office: some who think they have found the perfect job, others who are just simply in need of anything that will keep them busy or pay the bills. The following are a variety of patterns I have seen over and over again – they are truly meant to help people like you who are on the search. It may sound strict, but when you get over 200 applicants for one position, it’s the little things that stick out. Here are some simple tips that anyone can use to set themselves apart.
If you read this and these things sounds super crazy obvious, all the power to you- you’re probably already getting to the top of the resume piles!
DO: Follow the instructions on the job posting.
AND: If it says no calls, please don’t call. Even if you are super-qualified and experienced, it will likely get your name on a list of people who won’t get interviews because why bother interviewing someone who can’t follow directions?
DO: Show up on time for the interview.
AND: If you get to the area early, grab a coffee nearby or take some time for yourself to transition into “interview mode.” More than 15 minutes early is overdoing it – it’s tacky and if you’re interviewing at a small office, your presence can actually be awkward for those who are about to meet with you. If the folks interviewing you don’t jump to take you early, especially if they are just finishing with someone else, don’t act disappointed. I suggest waiting patiently with a magazine in the lobby or simply reviewing your resume. Yes, excessive text messaging will give the impression that this is what you will do with all of your in between time, or when the boss isn’t looking.
DO: Smile and shake everyone’s hands.
AND: Don’t assume the youngest person sitting in on the interview is an intern or a temp – she could be one of your future supervisors too. Don’t be afraid to take notes during the interview, especially if it will help you keep track of the names of everyone there. People will take it personally if you forget them after they’ve shared their name and role at the organization.
DO: Answer all questions openly and honestly.
AND: You still have control over what you choose to leave out. Suppose you are only looking for a job with health insurance and the job you’re interviewing for doesn’t offer that. If you share this during the first interview, the interviewers will be reluctant to hire you, even if you are well qualified, for fear that you will soon leave for another job that does offer health insurance. Another example: If you left your last job because of lack of upward mobility, do not share this during the interview unless it is already clear that this new job has room for growth.
DO: Share anecdotes about yourself from previous professional and volunteer projects.
AND: Take your time to really listen to the question, taking advantage of the opportunity to highlight exactly what you want them to hear. If the question is: “Tell us about a time you worked with a team on a project that you felt was successful,” then answering with “We always worked well together as a group – I really enjoyed strategizing my boss and coworkers,” does not give them any specific information whatsoever. We don’t care how much you liked them, how much you got along, or how you feel about how you generally worked together; we want to know some specifics: What role did you play on each project? How did you handle challenges along the way? What is your definition of success? How did you evaluate the project?
A tip: Before the interview, make a list of your top 3-5 qualities, and come up with an anecdote that highlights each of them. Then, when the interviewer asks about your experience, you can tell the anecdote that best matches their question, wowing them with details and your ability to be thoughtful and reflective.
DO: Bring printed copies of your resume and full contact information for three references.
AND: Any bonus materials stashed in your bag will be a plus. Do you have a portfolio of articles, reports, or photos highlighting your previous work? Do you have written references from employers to pass on? The simplest touches will get you noticed – plain and simple.
DO: Feel free to send a simple follow up email/thank you note.
AND: Do not follow up excessively if you don’t hear back. If it is actually urgent that you heard back about this particular job, you may consider writing something like “I am considering taking another position that was just offered, but this position would be my first choice. Please let me know if I can expect to hear within the next week.”
Best of luck!
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