Preparing for an interview can be somewhat stressful with the desire to be the best candidate, but the notion you have just 30 minutes to make a good impression adds to the pressure.
Recently a friend of mine was invited for an interview, and even though he was excited about the opportunity, he had concerns over the amount of time he was given to discuss his background. The 30-minute time slot seemed to create more angst for him than a half-day of interviews combined.
So we discussed a new interview strategy, which appeared to help him refocus his efforts and prepare for a short but significant meeting. While he had good intentions of wanting to explain his background and answer all their questions, trying to cram his whole career history into 30 minutes was making him anxious.
He is not alone in admitting the same dilemma that other candidates face – “How do you make a good impression in 30 minutes or less?” The biggest mistakes job candidates make during short structured interviews are failing to prepare and using too many details in hopes of convincing the interviewer(s) to hire them.
Here are some tips we discussed, and the next time you are invited for a 30-minute interview, they could also help you feel more confident and less anxious.
• Answer questions in terms of broad strokes and overarching contributions that lend credibility to your skills. Stay away from getting too involved with details. You risk losing the interviewer’s attention and momentum when every accomplishment is explained word by word.
• Break your career into themes, and look for the common problems you solved throughout your career. Identify the skills you used and make sure they relate to the job description.
• List your accomplishments on a sheet of paper and use the job position as a guide to address the employer’s needs. Since you only have 30 minutes, every answer counts and will most likely be compared once the interviews are completed.
• Listen to the questions; if you are unsure, ask for clarification before giving an answer. Mistakes happen when candidates ramble.
• A good rule of thumb most interviewers follow, the candidate does 80 percent of the talking while the interviewer does 20 percent. Spend most of your time highlighting your contributions. It’s better to leave the interviewer(s) with a handful of essential skills than to overwhelm them with everything you can do.
• Prepare and practice with your introduction. Don’t memorize your message. Be comfortable discussing your background, emphasizing the employer’s needs.
• Know why you want the job and what interests you in working for the employer.
• Write down 3 or 4 questions that pertain to the job and employer’s needs. Time is valuable, and the questions you ask need to send a perception that you have researched the company and are interested in contributing.
• Take some deep breaths before the interview and smile. Non-verbal language always speaks louder than words. Even if your interview is over the phone, people can sense smiling versus being uptight and anxious.
Your goal is to distinguish yourself from other candidates by having clear answers that convey your interest and that you are the right candidate for the job.
How do you prepare for 30-minute interviews? What have you learned from your interview experiences?