When Doug Mitchell took over as CEO of direct-sales company
Argenta Field Solutions
in 2011, he noticed something surprising. He noticed that most Gen-Y
candidates, though tech savvy and digitally plugged-in, didn't seem to
have a clue about how to dress for, prepare for or conduct themselves in
an interview, making his job and the job of his hiring managers
difficult.
One of my responsibilities is interviewing, while the final decision
is made by our chief administrator or by the head of sales, I perform
interviews as well as put a final stamp of approval on our hires. What I
noticed was, especially with the latest crop of millennial candidates,
they're completely unprepared. They don't understand how to dress, how
to speak, how to comport themselves in a face-to-face interview," he
says. "Millennials might be 'digital natives,' but they could use some
pointers on good, old-fashioned face-to-face interaction at times," says
Mitchell.
Six Tips to Nail an In-Person Interview
Whether you're a millennial looking to land your first job or you're a
senior executive taking the next step in their career, there are some
things you need to focus on to make a great first impression. "I focus
on six general principles. While some might seem like common sense,
they're always important to remember," says Mitchell,
Dress for the Role You Want
Dress for the job you want, not to job you have - or the job you're
applying for. You want to aim for the job that's one level above the one
you've applied to; that shows the interviewer, subconsciously, that
you're looking toward a future with the company, advises Mitchell.
"Yes, we're a direct sales company. We have fairly casual uniforms for
our salespeople, but if someone walks through the door in a suit and
tie, or a nice blouse, pantsuit or skirt and heels, that shows me
they've taken the extra effort to make themselves look professional.
Even before they open their mouth, I can see they could potentially be
in management someday, "says Mitchell.
Leave Slang and Dialect at the Door
The way you talk with your friends should be the exact opposite of how
you're talking to potential hiring managers. Keep it professional,
formal and polite. "You'd think this wouldn't need to be said, but it
does, because it has happened more than once. I've had people come in
who pass the 'dress code' test, but the second they throw me a 'Yo,
dawg,' it's over!, "Mitchell says.
Speaking with correct grammar goes a long way toward reinforcing the professional impression you've made by looking the part.
Bring Printed Copies of Your Resume
Yes, you've e-mailed your resume to the company. Your online profiles
are updated and your LinkedIn profile is impeccable but even in this
digital age, according to Mitchell, always bring at least two printed
copies of your resume to the interview. "Don't even try to use the 'my
printer's out of ink' or 'my printer died,' excuse. Trust me, I've heard
that one a million times, "Mitchell says.
In fact, in one instance Mitchell recalls, a candidate followed up that
excuse by still producing printed copies of her resume - she'd emailed
the file to FedEx/Kinko's and had it printed. "That helped her in two
ways. First, she showed perseverance - she encountered an obstacle to a
successful interview and figured out a way to overcome it, and second,
she was able to use that story to show those qualities of persistence
and out-of-the-box thinking in the interview, "Mitchell says.
Become an Expert on the Company
Whether the job you're applying for is your "dream job" or another rung
on the ladder of your career, make sure to educate yourself about the
ins-and-outs of the company. "You need to be genuinely interested in who
we are, what we do and why, because that's going to come across to me
in an interview," says Mitchell.
Public companies can be researched via Google or other Internet
searches, or through LinkedIn, Glassdoor and other sites. For more on
researching prospective employers please read,
Top 8 Sites for Researching Your Next Employer.
In the interview itself, Mitchell says don't shy away from small talk,
especially when it comes to the company, or if you've uncovered common
interests shared with your interviewer. "Don't be afraid of small talk,
but make sure you're not taking it overboard, "says Mitchell.
Using publically available information, you can usually find a common
interest, even if it's just the fact that you're both huge fans of the
company. "If you know everything there is to know about the company,
what their goals are, who the competition is, what obstacles they've
faced and overcome, that gives you a great basis for an ongoing
conversation about how you can fit in," says Mitchell.
Never Badmouth Your Previous Employers
The best employees are never negative. If you are asked why you left
your previous position or were let go, sure, be honest, but don't place
blame or speak negatively about your previous, role, boss or
organization. "Insightful employers are going to interpret any
negativity to mean that you are the problem - especially if you cite the
same reason for your last few employers," says Mitchell.
Ask About the Next Steps
The interview went well. You feel great, and you just know that you
nailed it but don't get cocky. "Even if you feel you really nailed the
interview and are a great potential fit for the job, don't assume it's a
sure thing. You can ask a question like, 'What are the next steps? When
can I expect to hear from you? If I were to get this position, what
would happen then?'" says Mitchell.
This point of the interview is also a great time to reiterate what you
know about the company and how you feel you'd be a perfect cultural and
technical fit. By talking about the company, you can subtly show the
interviewer how, by landing this role, you can get them an edge and help
them beat their competition.
Final Thoughts
"Some of these tips may seem like 'common sense' to us older folks but
from where I sit -- from the interviews I've done -- it can't hurt for
Gen Y to take a few pointers from their older, wiser and more
experienced peers, especially when it comes to interviewing," says
Mitchell.
