On-site interview skills

- One of the greatest compliments I've received from an interviewer was that it seemed like I was there just having a normal work meeting and there wasn't any nervousness. This a great goal to set for yourself. Calm, poised, and in the right place, talking with the right people about the right opportunity. Let's start with the basics. Show up 10 minutes early and start your great first impression as soon as you enter the parking lot or lobby. You never know who you might meet that has a say in your hire and you don't want it to be the person you honked at driving in or the receptionist you were dismissive to. It's great if the recruiting team gives you a heads-up on dress code before you arrive, but if they don't, don't hesitate to ask about office dress. It shows you're thinking ahead and keeps you from showing up in a blazer at an office where jeans are the norm. Pick out an outfit that's comfortable and that you feel good in. Now is not the time to force yourself into the suit that fit two years ago, but not so much today. I take my favorite bag because it makes me feel confident and I can easily fit my computer and resumes inside. And yes, print out resumes on plain paper, enough for each person you're meeting to take one. Often, you won't be asked for these, but it's better to be prepared. Some interviewers are going to ask for it just to see if you came ready. In the interviews themselves, you want to establish friendly eye contact, smile, and have a warm handshake for each person you meet. Think of each interview as a conversation where you'll have a chance to make key points you want to make and also sell yourself and get your questions answered. You're going to want to be able to quickly adapt to your interviewer's style. I've interviewed with directors at big tech companies, CEOs, VPs, and brand-new customer service associates. Some people like answers fast and quick, and others like stories and examples. Ask yourself who you're talking to, what are their speech patterns, rapid fire or meandering? Your goal is to match that tone and style, and fast. An interviewer who interrupts you to ask another question or redirect wants your answers faster and more tailored to what they need, so adapt, adapt, adapt. If you find someone probing you more on a question you answered quickly, adapt with a quick story with you as the hero to make your point again. The key here is that you're really flexible and can read your room. This is another reason it's great to always be job hunting, my motto, because practicing the rigors of five back-to-back, in-person interviews in a different city keeps you sharp in adapting to interviewer styles. If you haven't done it for three years, it's going to take you a bit to get back in the groove. Job interviews are marathons, not sprints, so make sure you're in good shape and good luck.