Preparing for Interview Success in Winter
I live outside New York City and not near Phoenix so, when I speak of winter, I am talking to you people who know what it means to check for the wind chill factor when you check the weather forecast. Some of you understand what it is like to go to an interview in subfreezing conditions, ice on the ground and salt stains on your boots.
To me, the first ten minutes of an interview are the most important because, like a first date, that is the time when the interviewer decides whether to pay attention to the rest of the time you spend with one another. Cold and snow are great distracters in that they can keep everyone from focusing on the interview.
I hope you notice that I said everyone—you AND the interviewer. Remember, if you have had to travel in these conditions so has the interviewer.
Guideline (not rule) #1: Try to avoid the first interview of the day and the last interview of the day. Avoid the first interview because when it snows you and they night be late. Avoid the last interview because they may be distracted by their concern for getting home. I refer to this as a guideline because if they want you to interview at thesze times, you do it.
Rule #1: Be warm when you arrive. Your mind may be distracted by the cold ad your “heroic effort”\to arrive on time. Get yourself there on time and don’t make a fuss over what the weather was like or the obstacles.
Rule #2: Wait in the lobby for about five minutes to warm up your hands, settle your mind and regain your focus. I remember listening to someone speak for 20 minutes about their trip to meet me was unbearable! What kind of impression do you think they made upon me?
Warm your hands so that the interviewer doesn’t shake hands with an icicle. Talk about a distraction!
Settling your mind so that you perform well is probably the most important advice I offer. You will have 10 minutes of first impression time to impress someone. Don’t waste a moment.
A few simple steps can make a world of difference in your interview performance on cold winter days. Those few moments of preparation can help you thousands more in a job you loves . . . or not, Invest the time in yourself.
Jeff Altman
Concepts in Staffing
jeffaltman@cisny.com
© 2005 all rights reserved.
Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.
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If you would like Jeff and his firm to assist you with hiring staff, or if you would like help with a strategic job change, send an email to him at jeffaltman@cisny.com (If you’re looking for a new position, include your resume).
