Impressive Interviewing is Essential in a Recession

The Catawba Valley has been hit especially hard by the economic recession. Reporting a 10.2 percent jobless rate in November 2008, the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan statistical area was second only to Rocky Mount in number of layoffs.

With so many people out of work, getting in front of a potential employer is an opportunity you can’t afford to waste. Interviewing can make or break a deal, with first impressions meaning the difference between receiving a paycheck and receiving a “no, thank you.”

First Impressions Last a Career
Social psychologist Albert Mehrabian found that 55 percent of a first impression is based on your appearance (dress, grooming, body language), 38 percent on the way you sound (tone and pitch of your voice, accent) and just 7 percent on what you actually say.

Face to face is the most valuable and enduring opportunity in business today, so do your best to make an incredible impression during an interview. Consider the following:

• Get plenty of rest prior to the meeting
• Do as the Romans do: Dress appropriately for the company
• Don’t underestimate the value of non-verbal communication – exude confidence
• Be prepared – resume, research and portfolio

Often the best impression comes not from what you say, but how you listen.

Listening Goes a Long Way
When you’re in an interview, you are attempting to “sell” your personal brand. Many people suffer from the misconception that sales are about talking. Really, sales are about listening. When selling your personal brand, don’t forget to listen.

Ask the interviewer what they seek in an ideal employee. Visualize the outcome as successful so you can enter with confidence, keep your train of thought, and enable active listening. Interviewees often focus on their next comments without listening or responding to what the interviewer is saying.

Listen well, respond thoughtfully and you’ll have a chance to prove yourself.

Research, Research, and more Research
Potential employers will often ask you, “Have you seen our website?” If your answer is “no,” it is usually a serious strike.

Take time to review relevant sections of their website:

• About Us/History
• Products and Services
• Competition

The key is to understand their business objectives. When there is one position and dozens of candidates, you want to stand out as having done your homework.

Try to devise three good questions to ask about their company, as this will demonstrate an existing knowledge of their business as well as a desire to learn more and an eagerness to get involved.

Presenting a Powerful Portfolio
Regardless of how much you know about a company, you’ll likely be turned away if you can’t prove that you know how to perform the necessary skills. Solution: Maintain a portfolio of your work and professional experience to demonstrate your expertise and abilities to potential employers when interviewing.

Keep copies of your work (if allowed), make notes of the projects you’ve completed/skills you’ve acquired, request client and employer feedback in the form of a recommendation letter or online recommendation, and refer interviewers to web sites.

The online portfolio is used frequently today. Many sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Blogger allow you to upload and manage content for free. This is a great way to show an employer that you’re tech savvy, organized and qualified.

“I’m a Team Player…and I Need a Paycheck”
This is what not to say, or even imply. Every HR person and interviewer in the world knows you’re interviewing because you need a job and have bills to pay. Devise a compelling reason for seeking employment with that particular company, something beyond the usual:

• “I want to be a member of a team”
• “I want to use my critical thinking skills to add profitability to your company”
• “I feel I can build your customer base”
• “I saved the last company I worked for $50,000”

Also Avoid…
Anything to do with self pity. This will undermine your efforts. Everyone in the world is anxious and even fearful now. Companies need positive energy to help them combat the economic climate.

Don’t have a chip on your shoulder regarding a past employer or the economy; it will only reflect badly on you.

To protect your personal brand, mask your personal feelings, even if it feels like a performance.

People rate positive attitude and energy highly in an employee, so look at the glass half full.

Thank You
A short “thank you” can go a long way. Follow up with a hand written note to thank the interviewer for the opportunity to interview and share information about their business. In the texting and emailing society, this old school technique is unique and impressive. Be sure to reinforce your personal brand and abilities in the context of the note.

About the Author
Woody Stoudemire is a veteran of the marketing field with 20 years of experience in building brands. His team of marketing experts, Gotham, LLC (formerly Gotham Images, Inc.) has successfully helped companies around the world achieve and exceed their communications objectives. Through creation and implementation of integrated marketing plans, Gotham has successfully guided new product launches, developed and promoted new brands, created e-commerce solutions and grown sales and margins for a number of diverse businesses, educational institutions and government entities. Gotham’s strategic marketing success is largely attributable to its unique proprietary process, LAUNCH. The acronym stands for Listen, Analyze, Understand, Narrow, Create and Hatch. Woody devised it through study, trial and error, and metrics that assess Return on Investment.

For more information, or to contact Woody Stoudemire, visit http://www.GothamStrategic.com.

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