Interview Savvy - Both Sides of Table

"Never wear a backward baseball cap to an interview unless applying for the job of umpire." - Dan Zevin, Comic Writer

When we think of interviewing, we may all have different experiences, and yet, rarely is there someone we meet who has not either been interviewed or the interviewer who had an interesting story to tell, right? To avoid being the butt of those stories or jokes, here are my top ten lists for both interviewers and interviewees: For an Interviewee, after fully researching the school or company to which you are applying:

1) Ensure you are genuinely interested in the company, and if you interview during work hours, take vacation, and better yet, ask if you can interview off hours first. 2) Test your interview "look" standing, sitting and moving in front of the mirror after selecting it carefully. 3) Test your driving or transportation route prior to the interview , and arrive in the lobby 8-12 minutes early (not earlier, as you will likely just be in the way. If you arrive earlier, wait in the car.). 4) Take many resumes, a portfolio with paper and two pens (in case one fails), but leave your water bottle or coffee at home. 5) Smile, listen, be ready and engaged (be genuinely friendly to each person you encounter). 6) Look people in the eye, shake 2-3 firm pumps and stop shaking as you shake hands with each person you meet. 7) Ask no questions about pay or benefits on the first interview, but do ask if you may take notes, and then if they say yes, take notes 8) Have 3-4 deeper than surface level questions regarding the company ready for the end of the interview 9) The last question is: "Having spent this time together, first, thank you, and second, is there any reason at this point that you would not hire me?" (Be ready for the response!) 10) Know the interview is about fit - for both you and the company, so enjoy it!!! And then, go home and email and mail thank you notes to each person with whom you engaged that day. Mail them immediately.

For an Interviewer, after fully vetting the resume of the person for whom you are interviewing, and developing the core competencies for the role (6-10 of them):

1) Take control of the interview by greeting the person, saying your name, welcoming him or her, thanking him or her for being on time (if s/he was) and then looking at your watch to say what time it is, and how long the interview will last. Ask the person to sit, and gesture to where. Once he or she is seated, start the engagement fully. 2) Share what the process for the interview will be (I recommend saying something like "For the first couple questions, please just take two or three minutes, and then we'll get into the more formal part of the interview, and then I'll leave time at the end of the interview for your questions and I'll cover next steps." Smile, that person is likely nervous! 3) Ask the person for a resume, and then say something like "Tell me a little bit about you...", and see where it goes. (Don't let it go past 3 minutes - you already set the expectation.) 4) Thank him or her and ask "What did you do to prepare for today?" (This tells you about research, readiness, eagerness, etc.) 5) Explain that we are now moving into the more formal part of the interview, and for each of the next X questions, you will be seeking specifics such as the background, action and results (I call this RAISE the BAR). 6) Listen for the BAR for each question (have one question per competency). Only interrupt or correct for the "always" and "never" answers twice, as you are seeking specifics, but you do not want someone who is not listening at all to you. Mark on your page a 1 or zero under each the B(Background), A(Action), and R(Results). 7) Walk through the job description and ask if there is anything the interviewee wants to share briefly now that it has been fully reviewed. Listen. 8) Ask the last two questions of: "We have all had disappointments in life or something not go the way we expected, please tell me about one of yours.", and "What has been your greatest accomplishment or success so far?" 9) Allow time for Q & A (expect some, and don't rush it). 10) Share next steps including what happens next to when all the way through when you would like to have the position filled. Thank the person, and stand up to walk him or her out.

While you surely have additional tips, I welcome them, and in the meanwhile, minimally incorporate some or all of these for a savvy and enjoyable interview experience!