Smart Executive Job Interview Techniques from the Experts

For the past 10 years, I’ve been fortunate to count myself among Job-Hunt.org’s many job search and career experts, as the top-rated, trusted career site’s Personal Branding Expert and most recently, its Personal Branding with LinkedIn Expert.

Two Job-Hunt experts I’ve come to know, respect and hobnob with virtually are Jeff Lipschultz (@JLipschultz on Twitter), the Working with Recruiters Expert, and Patra Frame (@2Patra on Twitter), the Veterans’ Job Search Expert.

Job interview tools to help you showcase the value you offer.

Jeff, an executive recruiter, wrote a free Job-Hunt ebook, Successful Interviewing: What Candidates Need to Know, that recently came across my desk again. Though written nearly 10 years ago, I’m impressed by how relevant and solid his advice remains on preparing for and taking ownership of the interview.

First, he describes how to create a checklist to refer to in interviews, that will guarantee you get across the value you offer that particular employer.

He then moves on to dealing with the kinds of questions you can expect to be asked in the interview: the direct question, the indirect or generic question, and the “classic” question, one of which may include “why should I hire you?”. His wise advice for this questions is:

“Instead of telling the interviewer why you want the job (which tells them little about why they should hire you), tell them more from your checklist, specifically:

(1) your skill set;
(2) your knowledge about the company, industry, processes they use, challenges they face, clients, and their learning curve;
(3) your manageability (you are not a “problem child,” but low maintenance);
(4) your value and their return-on-investment (you bring more to the table than they requested for the same salary);
(5) your tendency to go above and beyond a job description (you work hard and contribute in unique ways).”

He also talks about how to “interview the interviewer” and best follow-up practices.

Follow up reading Jeff’s ebook with a post I wrote referencing Jeff’s 15 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Best Answer Them.

Tips to better control the job interview.

In a Job-Hunt article Patra, a USAF veteran, focuses on 4 elements of job interviews YOU control, that can increase your probability of success.

1.  Your Preparation
2.  Your Focus
3.  Your Presentation
4.  Your Reactions

In #4, she stresses that controlling your reactions is critical:

“Do not let small matters upset or overwhelm you. I have seen too many candidates who let one minor thing get to them and ruin the rest of the time.

Sometimes hiring managers make mistakes or are running late. This is not the time to berate the receptionist or the interviewer.

Bring a book or, better yet, an industry publication, electronically or in print – you look prepared and interested and will get less antsy.

Be friendly and interested in talking with each person. Be prepared to add more detail to your answers if asked, don’t take offense or wonder why they don’t understand.

If a question makes you uncomfortable, ask calmly what the business issue is that they are trying to discuss.”

For more executive job interviewing tips, see my posts:

How to Land, Brand and Ace Executive Job Interviews

5 Must-Do’s To Land More Executive Job Interviews

Can I Land My Dream Executive Job Even If I’m Under-Qualified?

How Important Are Thank You Notes in Executive Job Search?

The Secret Weapon for Job-Winning Interviews

Check out the free ebook I wrote (and recently updated) for Job-Hunt, Smart Personal Branding with LinkedIn: How to Use LinkedIn to Build Your Personal Brand and Land a New Job Faster!

And take a look at the 9 other free ebooks Job-Hunt has published.