Free Advice
Full Round of Interviews: Get Fired Up
By Courtney Pike
You have made it past step one, and you are scheduled for a full round of interviews where you meet with several different people within the company. If you do this successfully, you likely will score a job offer.
First, you want to prepare like any other interview. Do your “YOU” prep work which means going through your resume and familiarizing yourself with everything you have done. When someone asks “Tell me about an obstacle you have overcome when you were working on a team,” you want to have an example at the top of your mind. Of course, answers to behavioral questions such as these are easier to answer if you’ve thought about your experiences before the interview.
In addition to your normal interview preparation, you want to keep these things in mind for a full day of interviews:
1. Relax.
Try to put the day into perspective. Think about the interviews as a conversation, not a criminal inquisition. If you relax, you will be more natural and focused, and you might even have some fun.
2. Bring several copies of your resume in a padfolio.
Since you will be meeting with several people, you want to make sure everyone has a copy.
3. Ask for a business card from each person that interviews you.
You want to have the name and email address of everyone you speak with so you can promptly send him or her a thank you note after the interview. It’s also a great idea to make notes on the back of the business card that references something that will help you remember them. Ex: Red Tabasco tie, Finance department, interview after lunch.
4. Stay in the game.
For each interview, you have to pretend like it is your FIRST interview. You may get asked the same question by three different people, but of course, you need to answer with the same energy and sincerity as if it were a novel and very original question.
You also always want to have questions. If it is nearing the end of the day, and your inquisitive nature is going dry, you can ask questions such as “What is the most enjoyable part of your job?” or “What is the most challenging part of your job?” For a full day of interviews, it’s nice to have a few “soft” questions that you keep in your back pocket and that you can ask anyone in any department.
5. Be professional at all times.
The receptionist, the intern that gives you a tour, and the administrative assistant who arranges your visit all play a part in whether you are hired or not. The way you interact with the support staff says a lot about your ability to be a team player.
If you follow these tips, it will not be your last full day at the office.