I've had a really good success rate with interviews throughout my career. I've also interviewed a lot of people. What works for me (from both sides of the fence) is this:
Don't treat it as an interview. Treat it as an opportunity for a first conversation with a future co-worker or boss. If someone calls you in for an interview, it means based on the facts of your experience they already think you're potentially a good fit; what they want to know now, besides some clarifications and details, is whether you're a good fit for the company and its individuals.
This means it's pretty much out of your hands in that regard. The only thing you can do is be your best self, relax, and have a chat. If a question stumps you, treat it as you would a conversation with a colleague: joke about it, be honest about being stumped, answer to the best of your capacities. The last thing you want is to be over-prepared and stiff.
Another thing is, don't go in wanting the job desperately. Take this as two parties sizing each other up. Ask questions about the company. Express doubts and see if they try to reassure you. Don't be a naysayer, of course, but if there are aspects of the job that you're not sure would work for you, express them politely and let them try and convince you otherwise.
This not only sets you up for a strong impression as an easy-going, authentic guy, but it also allows you some leeway to negotiate if they make an offer. You can use these (valid) claims you raised in the interview to negotiate conditions and salary.
I want to stress that you should see this as a conversation between two equal parties. What you don't want is to enter the interview room with the mindset that you want this job desperately and need to trick your way in. People can sense it.
(And by the way, reframe all the above in the context of a first date and you've got a pretty good guide to dating, toon. Except the part about negociating, sheesh. :D)
I've had a really good success rate with interviews throughout my career. I've also interviewed a lot of people. What works for me (from both sides of the fence) is this:
Don't treat it as an interview. Treat it as an opportunity for a first conversation with a future co-worker or boss. If someone calls you in for an interview, it means based on the facts of your experience they already think you're potentially a good fit; what they want to know now, besides some clarifications and details, is whether you're a good fit for the company and its individuals.
This means it's pretty much out of your hands in that regard. The only thing you can do is be your best self, relax, and have a chat. If a question stumps you, treat it as you would a conversation with a colleague: joke about it, be honest about being stumped, answer to the best of your capacities. The last thing you want is to be over-prepared and stiff.
Another thing is, don't go in wanting the job desperately. Take this as two parties sizing each other up. Ask questions about the company. Express doubts and see if they try to reassure you. Don't be a naysayer, of course, but if there are aspects of the job that you're not sure would work for you, express them politely and let them try and convince you otherwise.
This not only sets you up for a strong impression as an easy-going, authentic guy, but it also allows you some leeway to negotiate if they make an offer. You can use these (valid) claims you raised in the interview to negotiate conditions and salary.
I want to stress that you should see this as a conversation between two equal parties. What you don't want is to enter the interview room with the mindset that you want this job desperately and need to trick your way in. People can sense it.
(And by the way, reframe all the above in the context of a first date and you've got a pretty good guide to dating, toon. Except the part about negociating, sheesh. :D)
Thanks!
I never thought of an interview that way.