The Key to Winning Interview Performance

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

MasterMind Member Rob Engelman is an accomplished marketer.  We were privileged to have Rob as a meeting contributor last year as he successfully tackled the challenge of transitioning from being a self-employed consultant to the corporate world.

As Rob prepared to discuss his value proposition in the interview process, he painstakingly rehearsed his answers to common, open-ended interview questions as if he were a stage or screen actor.  It was that methodical preparation that landed him in a top level marketing position with Citi.

Priming for Your Preparation

INC Magazine Columnist Jeff Haden collected the favorite interview questions from a variety of entrepreneurs and published them in this article.  I’ve shared his list here and I advise you to use these as a reference for your interview prep work.

1. If we’re sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it’s been for you in this role, what did we achieve together?
2. When have you been most satisfied in your life?
3. If you got hired, loved everything about this job, and are paid the salary you asked for, what kind of offer from another company would you consider?
4. Who is your role model, and why?
5. What things do you not like to do?
6. Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
7. What’s your superpower, or what’s your spirit animal?
8. Tell me how…
9. Why have you had x amount of jobs in y years?
10. We’re constantly making things better, faster, smarter or less expensive. We leverage technology or improve processes. In other words, we strive to do more–with less. Tell me about a recent project or problem that you made better, faster, smarter, more efficient, or less expensive.
11. Discuss a specific accomplishment you’ve achieved in a previous position that indicates you will thrive in this position.
12. So, (insert name), what’s your story?
13. What questions do you have for me?
14. Tell us about a time when things didn’t go the way you wanted– like a promotion you wanted and didn’t get, or a project that didn’t turn out how you had hoped.

Rehearsal Time 

While you are not competing for an Oscar, Tony or Emmy, your ability to win over your interviews depends on your preparation for the part.  In the interview, you need to play the part of a confident, friendly yet, results orientated executive.  Your award winning performance won’t happen without enough rehearsal time for your interview answers to flow naturally and confidently.

Applause!

While most job seekers never hear applause when they ace their interview to secure their new position.  Our Master Mind Members are the exception.  Their success announcements always stimulates applause from their colleagues in the group who have supported them through their quest for success.

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