Job interviews seemed simpler when “Tell me about yourself” was the basic question in traditional interviews. It provided a comfortable opportunity for both the interviewer and the interviewee to ease into the conversation. People could easily prepare for this question, anticipate other questions, and responses, and manage their nerves. However, despite this preparation, only around four out of ten hires turned out to be completely successful.
Competency-based interviews emerged when employers started matching a candidate’s past experiences with the skills needed for a job. These interviews often begin with questions like “Tell me what you would do in this situation ….” etc.
Scenario questions, on the other hand, were created to make candidates think about future situations they might face in the role, even if they haven’t encountered them yet. With the introduction of strengths-based interviews, the game was taken up a notch. These interviews feature shorter, more direct questions, sometimes in an unpredictable manner. They aim to uncover what a candidate genuinely enjoys and dislikes because it’s believed that people perform at their best when they do things they like. This made it harder for candidates to prepare extensively for interviews, but not impossible.
Assessment take the competition to a higher level. They involve various tasks, interviews, and tests where candidates are directly compared to each other to find the exceptional ones. Candidates who don’t perform well are discreetly eliminated during the day and not considered further. They are a mix of elements like creative questions, presentations, testing, impromptu summaries, profiling, round-table introductions, and even the intriguing “unanswerable” questions like “Is the blue new black ?” It’s a complex and challenging process.
Develop a strategy
It’s clear that to secure the role, you must stand out as the top candidate. This is a common goal. From a strategic perspective, you must demonstrate that while all interviewees are being considered, you excel in three distinct areas: you meet all the required criteria, you bring additional value to the table, and you are clearly the least risky choice.
Do a good research
Study the interview format in advance. Having this information will significantly enhance your chances of performing well during the interview.
Your experiences will give you a way
Explore your broader experience to address any unusual weaknesses. The mere fact that you have an interview scheduled indicates that this weakness isn’t an absolute deal-breaker. However, if you’re questioned about a weakness during the interview and can provide a solution, you eliminate a straightforward reason for rejection.
Determine your added value
This can be quite challenging, but that’s precisely the purpose, and it’s where the real benefit lies. The more profound your understanding about the organization is, the greater the chance you’ll find a way to highlight an aspect of your background, qualifications, or personality that brings an extra layer of value.
Win before you arrive
When you face a challenging situation, greet it with a confident smile, knowing that you possess the tools to handle it. While you can’t predict every obstacle that may arise, you can control your response to them. It’s essential to understand that no one expects you to have all the answers, be a jack-of-all-trades, or achieve absolute perfection.
However, if you’ve planned and prepared to the extent that you can effectively address the unexpected, you’ll earn the recognition you deserve and secure the job offer you desire.
