by Julie Desmond

With fierce competition for every open job, being called for an interview feels like winning the lottery. Unfortunately, getting into an interview does not guarantee anyone a job offer. Qualified candidates about and companies rarely interview only one applicant for a position. By maximizing your interview time, you improve your chances of getting this job, and also increase your prospects going forward if someone else gets the offer this time.

Preparing for interviews should include a thorough review of the job description and the company. Know why you are the best fit for the position, and how you can add value. If your research is good, if you truly spend time talking to people and reading online, you may find a niche for yourself within the company you’re interviewing with, even beyond the open position.

While you never would walk into an interview and point out the flaws in a company’s mission statement, simply knowing a great deal about how you fit in will give you confidence and a good understanding of where your interviewer’s questions are coming from.

The word Interview suggests a powerful employer firing questions while hapless job seekers shrink slowly into their seats, terrorized. By changing the word Interview to Conversation, the whole process becomes more balanced. As much as an interview is meant to assess your value to a company, it should also be a discovery conversation, where you as a job seeker ascertain whether this is a place you want to spend your time. You want and need the job, yes, but treating the meeting as a conversation between equals allows you to reveal the strong and capable person you are.

Typical interview questions tend to lead to predictable answers. Stand out from the crowd, and gain valuable information, by learning the interviewer’s views and ideas. When asked, “What happened at your last position?” Answer honestly: I was laid off during the recession. Follow that with a question: “How has ABC, Inc. changed as a result of changes in the economy?” Face it, every company has been affected by the recession, and learning about how this company handled it will give you a sense of what you can expect if you accept a position here. Is the company innovative, resourceful and lean? Or do they cut corners and lay off workers simply because they can?

Most interviewers close by asking if the job seeker has additional questions. Books and articles generally tell the job seeker this is their chance to sell themselves, to reiterate their goals and get the interviewer pumped up about what they can do. A more effective approach, which I’ve seen used successfully a number of times, is to get the employer to sell you himself. Ask, “What skills and abilities do I have or what am I missing that will help me succeed in this position?” This invites the employer to share his hiring decision with you immediately; he will review your positive qualities and point out any concerns. Respond to these comments positively, beginning with, “Thank you.”

Finally, if this position is not a good fit for you, politely request the interviewer’s assistance with your search. Ask, “Is there anyone else I should be talking to?” Write down contact information for anyone he or she names, and remember to thank this person again after you’ve made the new connection.

Not every interview can result in a job offer, but making the most of each meeting will lead you to the right offer sooner.

Julie Desmond has fifteen years’ experience in recruiting and career planning consultation. She currently leads job search and career planning workshops in Minneapolis, St Paul and Edina, MN. Please send comments and questions to Julie@helpwantedworkshop.com.