Four Tricks That Will Make Your Interview a Treat

Everyone knows how important first impressions are. But when it comes to interviewing, a lasting impression is what closes the deal.

Think of your resume as your first impression; without it you cannot interview, however you’re not the only candidate with a resume and in all probability you’re not going to be the only person to interview for a specific position. That’s why when you have the opportunity to meet with an employer you must make a favorable lasting impression.

By adhering to the following four steps you can increase your chances of landing that dream job.

1. Solve a problem.
Have you ever had to interview candidates for a specific position? By the end of the day you feel like a broken record and the questions play over and over again in your head like a bad song.

Set yourself apart by not having the same lyrics. Make sure you spend a certain amount of time on the one thing the hiring manager will remember you for: solving one or two existing work problems specifically related to the position for which you are interviewing. Take yourself out of the standard interview ask-and-answer and put yourself into the job.

Ask the hiring manager what the specific need is for the position. Then provide the manager with a solution based upon your own personal experience and skill set. The answer or solution need not be perfect, but by showing you care and might have a solution you will make an impression that will last beyond the interview.

2. Become an insider.
Part of the interview process is assessing how an individual will function as part of the team. Psychology tells us that we are more likely to be accepted once we are considered part of the group. One of your goals should be to become an insider.

Aside from what’s mentioned above, try and act like an employee. Ask the manager if you can walk through the department (even if it’s on your way out). This is a chance to meet employees, talk about the equipment, tools and workspace.

The more the employer sees you as being able to fit in, the higher the probability that he or she will fit you in.

3. Set up an internal marketing department.
Resumes are a necessary first step, but they won’t talk for you. Your best shot at landing the job is getting to know someone who knows the hiring manager. Even after the interview, it’s the members of the team that will influence the hiring manager. Your challenge is to get as many of the on your side as possible.

During the interview, ask the manager if you could meet with one or two members of the team. The perfect time for this is during your tour of the office. Busy hiring managers will be happy to drop you off in someone else’s cubicle when your interview is done. Use the techniques we are discussing with everyone you meet. Focus on the work. Demonstrate what you can do. The people you meet will remember you, and they are likely to talk about you to the hiring manager. If you leave a positive impression, you will be setting yourself apart from the competition.

4. Leave a lasting impression.
Everyone knows it’s a good idea to follow up an interview with a "thank you" note. However a "thank you" is not going to solve any of the hiring managers’ problems and in all probability will be thrown away.

I suggest not only sending a thank you note but send something referencing the interview like a technology or process or a sample of your work which will address a need identified by the hiring manager during your interview.

Chances are that you will not be the only person interviewing for a specific position. Using the techniques mentioned above should provide you with a competitive advantage that will set you apart from the rest of the pack.

John Fiumano is CEO of Executive Alliance, a leading national recruitment firm that specializes in the debt collection and accounts receivable management industry. John grew up immersed in the credit and collections industry. He’s proud to come from a family of well-respected credit and collections professionals.

John has nearly a decade of industry specific recruitment experience. He has recruited for major banks, telecommunications companies, utilities and service providers to these industries.