Who is Interviewing Whom?

Interviewing for a job can be a nerve wracking experience. For many people, the interview is fraught with internal questions of self-worth, personal value, and whether or not they "like" you.

It's not only the interview itself that induces anxiety, but the days and hours leading up to it, as well as the days spent wondering afterwards.

What if there was one simple mindset shift that could make the interviewing process not only less stressful, but give you a better opportunity for a positive outcome?

There is, so let's get right to it.

Most people go into an interview thinking about BEING interviewed. They sit down and wait for questions. They sit there and hope that they have good answers to the questions asked. They sit there and worry about being asked a question they can't answer well.

All while trying to "show-up" as a smart and capable candidate.

Here's the problem with that...you are focusing on YOU, and that is the worst thing you can ever be focused on if you want to succeed. ;)

Let's make a mindset shift. Going forward, walk into interviews thinking about you interviewing THEM.

After all, if I am a smart, capable person, that will come out. I don't have to try and show you those things. What I DO need to show you in order to stand out from everyone else is that I am curious.

Being curious sets you apart.

Think about it, you already have my resume. You have already vetted me and know I'm a credible candidate, or you wouldn't be wasting your time interviewing me. You already know what you need to know to a great extent - that I could do the job.

I walk in the door already knowing that you know those things. But, what I want to know is whether or not I want to work for you and your company. That's where this mindset shift comes in.

Once I've answered your questions, I have a few of my own. When the interviewer says, "I have everything I need, do you have any questions?" Most people say "no." Your answer should always be "YES! I do."

Here are some examples of how to be professionally and appropriately curious in an interview:

• How long have you worked for the company, Bob?
• What is the thing you appreciate most about the company/organization/culture?
• What would make this company even better?
• Is this a new position, or had there been someone in it previously?
• Where are they now?
• What did they do really well while in this role?
• What would you like to see more of from the new person coming into this role?
• Are there new things on the horizon in regards to the company's future direction?

You get the idea. Appropriate and authentic questions make you memorable in a positive way.

You will stand out, and you have a much better chance of getting a phone call from them the next week to come back in and chat further.

Here's the bottom line. You can teach people skills, but you cannot teach people character. When the vast majority of candidates for a job all look about the same in their skill sets, that is not the thing that is going to get you the job. The fact that you have experience doing XYZ does not put you ahead of the 27 other applicants who also have experience in XYZ.

But most of those of others candidates you are up against will not, amazingly enough, be curious enough to show more interest, and that will work against them for the sheer reason that they will not be memorable. They will blend in with everyone else who was interviewed.

When you get curious, you might be amazed at how quickly you get a call back.

Image by Colin Behrens from Pixabay.

Originally published on LinkedIn.

WRITTEN by Robin Sacks

Professionally, I'm a Confidence Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Author.

Personally, I'm a mom, wife, and friend.

I live for bad puns and cozy mysteries.

Learn a lot more at https://www.robinjsacks.com.