Act differently with different interviewers
What next? This is the question that pops up in your mind as soon as you complete a selection round for a new job. The numerous selection rounds of tests and interviews often leave many candidates perplexed. The question often translates into how next? Like any other interpersonal communication, you must know more about the interviewer and what he expects from you to hit the bull’s eye. Here are some of the common types of interviewers and their set of expectations f
rom a candidate.
The ’telephone screener’ works hard to identify any fact that could eliminate a candidate. Do not confuse the consultant’s call with the telephone screener. More often, the telephone screener aims at checking the authenticity of the information that is included in your resume by the way in which you speak. Never confuse the telephone interviewer by stating something completely different other than what is on your resume. Indeed, the telephone interviewer often scans your resume, and speaks to you simultaneously. Recruiters frequently complain about candidates who are not completely sure of what they have included in their profile. Indeed, most of them just get into the habit of copying and pasting resumes from somewhere and do not invest time to learn what is written in one’s own resume. While the principle of preparing a good resume is always true, it is also necessary to follow the same style while you say something about your credentials or experience.
The ’human screener’ has to build a database of good candidates from which the manager selects the suitable candidate. Hence, your task would be to impress the human screener. Begin your interaction in a positive way and let the expectations of the interviewer soar, as he knows more about you. The interaction with this screener is mostly direct and face-to-face and the screener is smart enough to take note of all the cues that you exhibit through your body language, expressions, and confidence. Since their job is purely into screening candidates for different jobs, they can immediately recognise if you are very nervous or uncomfortable or are giving misleading statements. Honesty is the best policy and hence you must refrain from uttering statements that might land you in a soup.
Ask questions in the personal face-to-face interview to express your enthusiasm towards the job. To every question that the interviewer asks, end the conversation with a question that shows your interest in the job and the company. Neither your questions nor your answers should make the interaction monotonous. Stick to the positive flow of communication even if the interviewer steps on a negative track.
The manager is the next interviewer. With little time to expend, the manager is often in a haste to decide whether the candidate is right with the help of a few questions. There are two different types of managers who conduct interviews. The first kind asks few questions just to ensure that you are suitable enough for the position. The second kind depends on a few yet difficult questions to check your knowledge and experience levels. They often ask you to rate yourself on a scale of ten in a variety of areas such as dedication, tools, skills, and knowledge. Remember that they have your tests with them while they try to interact with you and any attempt to raise the bar beyond abilities might cost you an opportunity. Likewise, if you say something below your abilities, there are chances that your test attempt has been a fluke and your ethics might also be doubted. The best way is to arrive at your ratings by discussing it with your peers and seniors. Then, there are very few chances for a mistake.Finally, we have the negotiator who is smarter than others. Generally, one of the above interviewers dons the role of the negotiator once you are selected for the job. Try not to state the pay from your end even if the negotiator asks you to specify the expected pay. You can always specify the nature of the job and a good number of skills and the varied experience that you are equipped with and then leave the negotiator to make an offer. Politely seek a higher amount if you feel that you deserve more. However, it is always better to do some homework about the industry standards when it comes to your position and speak accordingly.
CHAKRAVARTHY TENNETI
faqs@cnkonline.com
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