Acing the Modern Job Interview

When it comes to job interviews, it’s no longer enough to have prepped answers to the most common interview questions (although it’s still a good start). Considering that hiring the wrong employees can be expensive and time-consuming, employers are taking steps to factor in personality and “soft skills” as much as expertise and experience.

Traditional interviews aren’t always effective at learning about the many sides of a candidate, as cited by a recent LinkedIn study. A new approach to give insight into all aspects of a potential new hire is required. Here are some trends to be aware of as you prepare to ace the modern job interview.

Casual Venues

Part of the interview process may happen outside the office to illuminate other aspects of your personality. You may be asked to a meal, a group chat over coffee or another venue to give hiring managers an idea of how you behave in setting where you may feel more relaxed than in a corporate environment. Be ready by treating every aspect of the hiring process as part of the interview, even if you are meeting for a sandwich at a local deli. Remain professional, poised and well-dressed – in other words, stay “on.”

Video Interviews

Depending on the location of your interviewer, you may be asked to participate in a video interview. Perform test runs in advance to make sure your background is clean and orderly, you are positioning yourself to appear at your best on camera, and that the sound quality is good. Do what you can to minimize the chance for distractions, such as barking dogs, ringing phones or the constant “ding” of notifications. Dress as you would for an in-person interview; don’t think you can wear pajama pants because they will only see you from the waist up!

Multiple Rounds

More companies are finding that one interview isn’t enough to make a final call on a new hire. They may want several leaders to assess whether you will be a good fit. Be ready to invest some time in going through multiple rounds of interviews with a variety of interviewers if you are interested in the job. It’s not unusual and doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a top contender.

Personality Testing

Companies want employees with specific characteristics, such as the ability to work well on a team, perseverance and an interest in learning and growing. You may be asked to take an online test, either a personality test or another assessment, to give interviewers a better idea of how you would work within the corporate culture. With many of these tests, there’s no “right” answer, so just relax and do your best.

Tricky Questions

As employers seek to understand all sides of a candidate, they may turn to unorthodox questioning. Odd questions can help employers understand a job seeker’s creativity, thought process or just the ability to think on their feet. If a strange question catches you off-guard, do your best to stay composed, take a second think about it and then give the best answer you can.

Remember, as a job seeker, you are an equal participant in the interview. Just as the hiring managers are checking you out, you are gauging the company to see if it’s a good fit for you.

Here are a few strategies that apply to any interview scenario:

• Research. Going into an interview with a thorough knowledge of the company is a must. It shows you are proactive, pay attention to detail and have a genuine interest in working at the company. Check out the company’s social media presence on multiple platforms. Look at the website, including their media and investor relations sections, where you can see the company’s latest news. Peruse the ratings employees have left on Glass Door. Search them online and see what comes up. If you know the name of the person interviewing you, look them up on LinkedIn. There has never been more information available to you as an interviewee, so study up.
• Ask Strategic Questions. Employers want to know that their investment in hiring and training a new recruit will pay off. They want to identify someone who is there for the long haul, not someone who may stick around a year or two. Your questions can help reflect your interest in a long-term opportunity. Example: “I’m interested in taking on an increasing amount of responsibility over time. What are the opportunities to grow within the company?”
• Send a Note. Send an emailed thank you to your interviewer the same day, followed by a hand-written note by USPS, mailed as soon as possible. This simple gesture is an easy way to distinguish yourself from other candidates and leave a positive impression. If you think a “thank you note” is outdated, you are missing an important opportunity to make one last connection before the hiring process is complete.

You may also like How a Date and a Job Interview are Remarkably the Same. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on Huff Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.