By Rowe Leathers
Contributor, Career Services
Preparing for an interview can be daunting, and as much as you try to prepare for a successful and engaging interview, there is one component of the process that you cannot control – the interviewer.
Interviewing is an art that not all managers possess. Put bluntly, an interview with a bad interviewer can feel like an interrogation. When the interviewer fires off a list of questions, it can add to your anxiety level and distract you from presenting your qualifications.
I believe that if a candidate can get an interview, it is a good indication that he or she looks good on paper. The in-person meeting is part of the process during which the manager will determine if the candidate has the character and personality for not only the position, but also as a potential team member.
To ensure you are able to pivot your approach if your interviewer turns out to be an interrogator, consider doing the following to prepare:
- Use LinkedIn to find the profile of the interviewer and learn about the person you will meet. The profile can provide you with not only their career path, but also their interests, causes they support, and their alma mater. Having information about the person should give you some ideas on how to engage him or her in conversation.
- Don’t be obvious about the research you have done. Knowing the background of the person is merely a way for you to understand them and where they have come from. Consider formulating your answers and descriptions in ways that will connect with the person. Seeing beyond the title should help alleviate some of your nervousness and allow you to focus on a positive outcome.
- Remember that a conversation is a two-way street. If you succeed in connecting with the interviewer, be open to sharing a similar experience; however, be selective and always be appropriate about what you share.
- Be careful not to misinterpret your connection as a ticket to the next round of interviews. Having a good interview does not guarantee you a spot in the second round. Follow through with a proper thank-you email and be respectful of the time frame they need to make the decision.
Being well-prepared not only helps a candidate be more confident; sometimes a well-prepared candidate is what an interrogator needs in order to make a connection.
[Related article: Conquer Your Interview Jitters!]
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