LETTER OF THE MONTH
J.T.: We love to hear from readers who share what they’ve learned while in the job market. Today we hear from Beth, who turned around unwelcome news about an interview situation.
BETH: When I interviewed for my current position, I was fortunate to learn ahead of time that I would be sitting in front of a panel. I’d never had that experience before, and I was terrified. Rather than let it get the better of me, I chose five reasonable and sound questions, printed out copies for each panelist and handed them out once we were seated. It served two purposes. One, everyone was literally on the same page; and two, for the first few minutes I could acclimate to the atmosphere because my interviewers were looking at the questions, not staring at me. I remember how surprised they were to see that not only was I prepared, but I’d thought of each of them, versus bringing only one copy of questions for the principal interviewer. This action also gave me more confidence and a higher sense of ownership of my part in the interview.
Dale: Beth outsmarted her fear and got the job. And while handing out questions is unusual, J.T. and I encourage every applicant to arrive with questions to ask of the interviewer(s). And there’s no reason not to write them down and refer to them in an interview. It will make you seem more prepared, and will increase the odds of your having the sort of conversation that makes them want to see more of you.
Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a professional development specialist and founder of the consulting firm jtodonnell.com. Dale Dauten’s latest book is “(Great) Employees Only: How Gifted Bosses Hire and De-Hire Their Way to Success” (John Wiley & Sons). Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
© 2008 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
