Top 10 Steps to a Successful Interview

By Paul K. Herrerias
Managing Director of Stanton Chase San Francisco

In these economic times, every job candidate is asking how they can successfully rise above the resume pile to win that interview. Stanton Chase International has provided counsel to many candidates embarking on their next career steps. The key to winning any opportunity lies in how you prepare, build a foundation of understanding and maximize your points of contact inside the organization. Here are our top ten tips on how to successfully land and compete in an interview.

1. Orientation –Take a good look at where you have been and take an honest look at where you want to be. Know where you are going. If you want to put yourself on the recruiting map, find out where employers are looking for candidates like you and how they will assess the top list of hopefuls.
2. Target – Be realistic and specific in your goals. Write out a short paragraph of where you see yourself, a career target, including: industry and functional sectors, values/culture, geographic location, roles and responsibilities, salary, benefits, commuting time, travel, etc. Now you have something to aim for and a structure for comparing offers of employment.
3. Prepare – Before you jump in, read about the market or sector to find out who is hiring and why. Increase your understanding about what exactly the employer is looking for with regard to demonstrated experience, confidence, trust and credibility.
4. Brand – Work with a Career Consultant to develop a cover letter and resume that speaks to the employer and sells your experience. Be straightforward with your intention and expectations. Brand yourself by clearly indicating all relevant insight, skill sets and values you share with the company. Give them every reason to see how you would fit into the organization.
5. Smart Search – Cast your net wide. Use your network, respond to ads, make calls or use a referral service. An executive recruiting firm such as Stanton Chase International can help you determine fit with an employer’s search criteria.
6. Be Memorable – Phone, introduction letter, follow up emails – they all help build a foundation of understanding between candidate and interviewer. Use every contact point to reinforce your interest in pursuing the role, relationships, company, and industry. Give them something to think about, someone they should not forget.
7. Score Card – Rate the opportunities you have against your career target description (see step two). Divide the opportunities into categories: your comfort zone (been there, done that), mutual best fit (realistic and close or on target), and challenging (strive for more, change is good).
8. Check Point – Review all the contact points made inside the prospective employer. Have you missed any contact points or selling opportunities? Confirm the meeting time, date, location and exactly who will be present during the interview. Do more than they ask you to do, if you have a good idea of what they would appreciate.
9. Game Time – Remember to interview them as much as they do you, as this is your chance to learn and explore. Have your list of questions ready for interview day. Come prepared with the top three reasons they should hire you to stay on track throughout the interview based on information from your network, insiders or your Search Consultant. Provide value to the meeting, listen and offer your perspective. Invest in the moment; make a new friend, and be action-oriented by booking the next meeting.
10. Mutual Assessment – Ask yourself if you learned enough about the people, organization, expectations and requirements to make your decision. Note any gaps, surprise questions or details to follow up on. Be prepared for their return call, next meeting or the next interview. Be persistent, ask for more details so you can make an informed decision to pursue or decline an offer.

The list of top ten steps to a successful interview was compiled by Paul Herrerias, Managing Director of the Stanton Chase San Francisco office. For more information about preparing for an interview, contact your local Stanton Chase consultant by visiting our online office listing at: http://www.stantonchase.com/locations/.

Download Interview to Win - Tips on becoming a more competitive candidate in 2009

Back to best practices

• Best practices