How to have a Killer Interview

How to prepare? It's best to really define the major accomplishments that you had in any previous job, internships included. If you don't have a lot of job experience, it may only be a couple of things, but quantify it. It doesn't have to be numbers, but it might be some kind of recognition or other proof of impact. Go as far and deep as possible. Be prepared to say how the experience was really good for the organization you were working for. 

When you’re sitting outside the interview, mentally prepare while sitting there in an outfit that makes you feel great. Your resume should be a document that you can look at in final preparation two minutes before the interview. Be prepared for the questions you'll be asked and the information the interviewer will need.

In the interview, follow the interviewer’s lead until you start to get a feeling that the interviewer is comfortable with the conversation, since then the interviewer is more willing to give you an opportunity for dialogue. You build a partnership not by just answering questions, but by eventually leading that conversation toward dialogue.

When you get the sense that the interviewer is totally comfortable you can start to ask questions that will give you the information you need to see it this is a good fit for you, but watch out - in the first interview, the interviewer is in “buy” mode and you’re in “sell” mode. You have to be very careful that you don’t start going into “buy” mode if this first interview is a screening interview. It's all about feeling your way and the longer you give the company to fall in love with you in the beginning, the more leverage you’re going to have on the back-end to ask your questions. If the interviewer really likes you, you can usually tell and you can create your opportunity.

Be careful in the first interview. You may have 15 questions, but only have an opportunity to ask one or two. The more you do your job in the sell phase so they fall in love with you — in a business sense — the more they’re going to give you an opportunity to address your agenda later on.

Good luck!!

Warmly,

Andrea Zintz, Ph.D.

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