Be comfortable in interviews

As an executive search consultant, the majority of the people I meet are experienced, senior leaders with strong track records in industry and lengthy, successful careers. However, that doesn’t mean they’re either comfortable in or present themselves well at interview.

I do understand this – a job interview is very different to most business situations, not least because you have to talk about yourself, something we modest British sometimes feel uncomfortable doing. It’s also a scenario few experience regularly and there are plenty of apocryphal interview stories out there, which may lead to uncertainty.

But there’s really nothing to be afraid of as long as you prepare.

Before the interview, make sure you’ve read the hiring firm’s website, annual report and similar documentation as well as the role description and thought about how your knowledge and experience are both relevant and can help the business. You should also look up and then have to hand suitable figures, case studies and examples to support this – the more evidence and data you can offer the better. It also won’t hurt to look up the interviewer on LinkedIn for similar reasons.

Beyond that, just be yourself, relax, keep your answers on-topic and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember, while it might seem the interviewer is there to grill and try to catch you out, an interview is really a two-way process with the best outcome being a match that works from both parties’ perspectives.

So a question along the lines of “who would win in a fight between a crocodile and a bear?” will say far more about the quality of the interviewer and, potentially, the company they represent than your answer will about you.

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