Turning The Tables At Interview

Many 'professional skills' centre around the many issues you would face in a job role or management position. What if you're still trying to get that job? Being a successful interviewee is a professional skill in itself, and one that is often overlooked.

It's true there are hundreds of how-to articles on what it takes to be successful at interview. In many cases, these put you on the defensive, giving the employer all the power as they are the ones you have to impress; and the ones who are dangling that employment carrot. What if you turned the table, from the other side of the interview table itself?

Think about the situation logically. The company needs the position filled. They want a good candidate. They WANT you to be great. They're actually willing you on! They don't want you to fail: not only is it a waste of their time if you do (and painful during interview), it's a waste of your time, too. They want an easy choice out of the candidates, because recruitment drives aren't cheap, and the longer the position goes unfilled, the more money they're going to waste. How powerful do you think that makes you, as a qualified prospective candidate? The answer of course, is "very".

The mindset of an average interview candidate puts them at a disadvantage. It's usually a negative one: What if they don't like me? What if I go blank? What if they ask a question that's too difficult? What if I forget everything I've prepared? What if I sweat and shake? Usually, and understandably, candidates are nervous. Take some time to think about why a job interview makes us so nervous. If you desperately want the job, or any job, it can make it worse. You'll try too hard, and come unstuck if it isn't part of your natural confidence.

What is natural confidence, then? We all have it - even if you think you're the world's worst example of self-esteem. We all have something we're good at, and we only became confident at it with practise. It's an age-old adage, but it's true: do something more, and the less fearful it becomes. "How can I do this with interviews?" I hear you cry. "It's hard enough to get one, and I'm not wasting it on practise!". Well - why not apply for jobs that you are not really interested in, and that you are overqualified for? This will give you confidence and power, and you'll notice the exact thing you're trying to gain: the tables turn when you realise just how much the employer wants you in that role (if you're overqualified, they might think it's their lucky day, getting more experience for their money). Get used to that feeling, and carry it with you when it's for a job you REALLY want.

The key to turning the table at interview is to understand the employer's perspective in this way. Confidence begets confidence, and it will make you come across much better. Put yourself in their shoes: usually, you can smell someone's desperation for a job, and it's a little off-putting. It says to them "this candidate sees us as their only chance", rather than "we better snap this person up, or someone else will".

The tables turn, and from the other side: you become an instantly more attractive candidate. If at first you don't succeed: put it down to practise, keep positive, and carry on. It's that simple, and that powerful.