The Most Important Minutes of your Interview

It is a very common saying that first impressions need to be the very best impressions.  This is especially so when it comes to career interviews.

Most managers involved in hiring will tell you that they can tell from the first handshake and a little small talk whether they have an interest in hiring the candidate.  It takes hiring managers only about 10 minutes to form either a positive or negative opinion of that job seeker. 

This should tell you something about the approach you need to take for a job interview. 

It really means that the moment you arrive the interview is on.  You need to project confidence and enthusiasm right away.  You should pay particular attention to preparing for the first few questions to be asked. 

Be ready with your responses when they come to these topics. 

• They will ask you why you are here.
• They will also ask what you can do for the company and them.
• They will want to know how you will fit with the company values and culture.
• Perhaps most importantly they will want to know why they should pick you over the other prospects interviewed. 

Have examples and rehearse your responses for times when you have had to lead a team, overcome an obstacle, save a failed project or meet a deadline. 

Be familiar with the A to Z of Interview Skills.

Some of the initial topics that come up early in an interview are:

• Can you tell us a little about yourself? In other words, what can you do for us?
• What is your perception of us?
• What brings you here today?
• Tell us about your most important accomplishment up to this point.
• Why do you want to make a change in careers?
• What is it that would make us choose you over the other applicants. 

You need to know about the company you are interviewing with. 

Do the research required to get familiar with the company, their culture and offerings prior to the interview.  By knowing this you can project an image which will complement and offer value in achieving their goals. 

This is how you can use that knowledge during the first couple minutes of your interview.  Show them you know something of their company when you get the question - why are you here?  Use your knowledge of the company to enthusiastically list off some of the things about the company that appeal to you. 

You need to know who you are when the interview begins.  You are not a person looking for a job, but a problem solver who can help them achieve their goals.  After all you know about the company so can display enthusiasm about what appeals to you.  Plus you are prepared for the initial volley of questions which you can respond to with confidence.