Interviewing – Everything you’ve wanted to know (but were afraid to ask!)

Jennifer Mueller, MBA

Recruitment Consultant, Lecours Wolfson

As recruiters, it’s our job to source, screen and select the best candidates in the marketplace for our clients.  We offer candidates the opportunity to be introduced to leading hospitality and retail companies that often do not post their available positions.  At this point, candidates will go through various selection processes with the essential component being an interview.

The word “interview” originates from the French word “entrevoir” meaning “to glimpse or catch sight of”.  Basically, that is the purpose of an interview: for two parties to get a ‘glimpse’ of each other, before each decides if they should work with one another.

In our experience, candidates often become anxious prior to an interview and this can impair their ability to portray their knowledge, skills and abilities.  Although it is often suggested that practice is needed to alleviate stress, the true key to success in the art of interviewing is preparation.  If you believe that being prepared is reading the job posting and browsing a website, you may be in for a surprise – good preparation goes far beyond that.  Here are our suggestions:

• Try to determine, in advance, what the company’s approach to interviewing will be:

• • A brief screening to review main topics such as location and salary expectations?
  • An in-depth overview of your employment history and qualifications?
  • A casual meet and greet over coffee to determine mutual interest and fit?
  • Will there be an aptitude test or psychological evaluation?
  • Could the entire process involve more than one of the above?

• Be able to identify the type of questions being asked, and be prepared to answer them appropriately:

• • Behavioural questions are very common.  They are said to predict future behaviour by asking how situations were dealt with in the past.  They key in answering these questions is to BE VERY SPECIFIC and use REAL examples.  Stick to the relevant details (don’t make anything up) and always offer the result of the situation as a conclusion.  You can prepare in advance by coming up with about five or six examples on how you’ve handled issues relating to customer service, management, time management and conflict resolution.  You will be amazed at how these will address most of the behavioural questions that come your way.

• • Situational Questions. These questions use hypothetical situations and ask “How would you handle this?” (vs. “How did you handle it”).  Since you’ve already come prepared with the details of past events, project an ideal response to the situation being presented.  As always, ensure that your answer is relevant to the question; don’t go off topic.

• Read the job description in great detail.  A well-written job description identifies the objectives of the position and key competencies that the employer is looking for.  Use these areas to prepare for behavioural questions by linking past achievements to the expectations for the position.

• Learn about the company from as many sources as possible. And, more importantly, find opportunities to relay the knowledge during your interview.

• • The company’s website should outline its history and overall scope.  Key points that you should research: what is their mission, what is the full scope of their business, who are their customers, how many units do they currently have and are there plans for expansion?  The ‘Press’ section should reveal historical high points and current initiatives.

• • Know the brand – if you are looking to join a division or franchise of a larger branded group, it is important to understand the service standards that dictate their culture.

• • Research other news media.

• • Ask trusted industry contacts.  Find out details from your recruitment consultant, as it is our job to know our clients well.

• • We strongly recommended that you make a personal visit prior to your first interview.  Our industry is about service and it is not enough to know about the company’s product, as it is important to experience it first hand.   You will find it easier to relate your background to their business and most interviewers enjoy hearing your perspective on their business to see if it matches their vision.

• Find out what you can about the company’s culture and dress appropriately for the interview.  If in doubt, it is better to be overdressed.

• Arrive early, but not too early. If someone has asked to see you at      2 pm, assume that they have commitments up until that time.  Yes, you should give lots of time to account for any delays, and announce yourself 10-15 minutes ahead, however, use this extra time to further familiarize yourself with the environment.  Your observations will serve as a valuable resource during the interview – and that will be much more impressive than arriving 30 minutes early only to sit in the waiting room and read the newspaper!

• Be prepared for the Money Question.  This can be tricky – you don’t want to ask for too little, but we’ve seen many candidates sail through the interviewing process only to lose out because they answered the money question by asking for too much.  Always try to relate your answer to the specific position being discussed and to your previous compensation.  Your recruitment consultant is invaluable at this point in the process.  Always avoid ‘this is what I need to pay my bills’.

• Following up after an interview is the way to prepare for the next interview or even your job offer.  You must think ahead and get contact information, mailing addresses and/or email addresses (and especially correct spelling!) for the people that you must thank for their time.  Do so immediately upon return to reiterate your interest in continuing in the process.  Always call your recruitment consultant immediately after the interview.

Preparation begins as soon as you apply for a job and continues well throughout the course of the interview process.  Any bit of information that offers a prospective employer a better ‘glimpse’ of yourself or your interest in the position is key to your success.  Remember, it is not only you that must perform in an interview to get the job of your dreams – the interviewer has the responsibility of selecting the best person for that job.  The goal is to offer them everything they are looking for and make their job easy!!

Good luck!

Filed Under: Human Resources • Interviews • Lecours Wolfson • Tips