Approaching an interview intelligently can set you apart from your competition and position you as having the expertise a decision maker needs. Knowing certain things about your potential future employer can be used as interviewing GOLD. These nuggets of info allow you to gain understanding of the employer, and you can use this understanding to help articulate what you can do for them.
Here are four questions you can use to capture "business intelligence" before - or during - the interview:
What is their biggest challenge or frustration right now? Knowing this allows you insight into the pain points of the employer, which is so important. Often the answer to this lies well outside of the job description of the position you're applying for, but understanding what challenges or frustrates the hiring manager right now will allow you to explain how you've handled those major challenges in the past.
What are they trying to achieve this year? What are their aspirations and goals for the near future? You might find this featured in a recent press release or somewhere on their website. If you can't find it through research, then ask that question during the interview, and follow it up with how you've helped your past employers with similar goals. It makes your experience highly relevant to their needs. Knowing both their pain points and their ambitions is POWERFUL STUFF.
What would it take to double their business this year? (Or efficiency, or another relevant stat.) This is kind of a gutsy question, but if you ask it genuinely and don't come across as "salesy," you really get them thinking. Now, a lot of decision makers may not immediately know the answer, but just being presented with the question shows them you think big. And if they do have an answer, then follow that question up with an example of a similar initiative you've handled.
Finally, find out what they've tried to do in the past that has worked and that hasn't worked.Then share what has and hasn't worked for you in past companies. Comparing insights on effective sales campaigns or productivity initiatives puts you on a more equal level with the decision maker, and demonstrates your strategic thinking, which is a key leadership quality - and everyone is looking for leadership qualities, whether or not they're hiring for a leadership position.
If you are able to find the answers to any of these questions before the interview, then that's best, as you can use this information to frame intelligent questions that show you've done your homework on the company. But if you can't find the answers ahead of time, these are great questions to ask during the interview - and don't wait until the end of the discussion - pepper them throughout the interview to allow the flow of the conversation to be a two-way dialogue, instead of just a question/answer session.
If you haven't attended my free, in-person Resume Reboot class, where I teach you how to build a resume from scratch that gets the phones ringing, and strategies on how to put that resume into play in today's job market, register for this Thursday's class by clicking here. It's going to be held at the Johnson County Public Library central resource branch in Lenexa, KS and seating is limited. It's open to the public, but you need to register ahead of time in order to get the accompanying manual. I look forward to seeing you there!
I wish you the very best week in your career search!
Warm Regards,
Tammy Kabell
Career Resume Consulting
(816)600-2478
