Tipping the interview balance in the jobseeker's favour

Jobseekers often approach interviews with trepidation, ceding power to the interviewer and, if they have been unsuccessful over a period time, with a hint of despair or resignation.

Failure to explore the realities of the role, future opportunities and company fit positively from the jobseeker’s perspective significantly reduces the chances of success in the short and long term for both parties.

How can a jobseeker redress this power imbalance?  

1.   Reframe the process: Do your company research, prepare your questions and your focus from the following perspective- If I take this opportunity, how will I be able to contribute to this organization and will I be able to develop and grow? Asking yourself how you will fit rather than just leaving the decision to the hiring organization can inspire confidence and increase the relevance of responses to interview questions.

I have witnessed a candidate who, after three questions and more information in an interview, has indicated that the position is not a fit, withdrawn and then successfully used some of the interview time to explore other opportunities. This both respected the interviewers’ time and led to discovering a better role.

2.   Greet the opportunity: How you handle confirming your attendance at the interview, asking how you can prepare and what you can bring, ensuring a collected presence at reception and as you walk into the interview, meet the interviewer(s) and get settled all contribute to the overall impression that you make.

By thinking of these as steps in the interview process and then ensuring that you are prepared and positive in each of these interactions places you as the initiator rather that the receiver of these exchanges

3.   Ask questions that expose your skills and the difference you make: At the end of the prepared questions, interviewers will usually ask you for your questions. Not all interviewers are skilled at developing the questions that get at the heart of what they want… or are seeking to avoid… in a candidate. Asking questions that you can turn to your advantage is the key at this stage of the process. Assuming you are still interested!

What are the most important qualities you are seeking in a successful candidate? Or if I was to exceed your expectations in this role, what would that look like? Or how does this role contribute to the organization’ success?

Tailoring questions like these in your own wording, gives you more information and most importantly the opportunity to share more examples of your success and approach than may have been surfaced in the interview thus far.

So, by considering yourself as an empowered partner in the interview process, you are more likely to find a better match that achieves results for you and your next employer.

Robert Collins is the Director of Workforce Development at the London Economic Development Corporation and seeks to close the gap between labour market supply and demand.