Several years ago a 50-plus job hunter called an executive to request an interview a week after he sent a cover letter and a resume. He got through to the executive, who was noted for being difficult, and asked when it might be convenient to set up an appointment.
"I don't think it's worth my time to see you," he was brusquely told. "You have no experience in my field." There was a moment of silence as the job hunter thought about what to say. Then he replied, "Mr. Executive, you could be making a big mistake."
There was a short pause on the other end of the phone. The executive, in a puzzled voice, asked, "What do you mean?"
The job hunter then briefly described his previous job in which he had gone into a new area of his industry, performed well, and won an award for his efforts. "Though I haven't had experience in your field," he said, "I have done well in the jobs I've had. If you hire me, I'll bring a fresh perspective to your company that your other employees may not have." Another short pause, then, "Good point. See me tomorrow morning at eleven o'clock," the executive said, and hung up.
Each interview encounter is different. You have to be pre pared to talk with many different types of people. Evaluate each one and then lead into the interview according to your concept of the individual you're facing. Chances are you'll be right.
Formulate specific thoughts about your immediate and long-term goals. This is important to your success. What do you want from the job? You have to answer that question and then articulate it for the interviewer so that he or she can evaluate whether or not the company and job are right for you.
Practice, Practice, Practice. In this age of instant photography and movies, it is worthwhile to practice interviews with friends. It may seem silly at first, but it works. Watching yourself on film will be a revelation, and you'll be shocked at the flaws you'll see. These can be corrected and overcome with practice. Friends can also be good critics and help you develop your interviewing style.
When seeking companies to interview, don't overlook small businesses in your area. They offer many job opportunities to the 50-plus professionals. Many small companies have trouble finding trained people to meet their needs. They're looking for experienced professionals who can come aboard and perform immediately.
The secret to a successful interview is to be yourself.
Remember, you are the seller, not the buyer. James E. Challenger, president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a Chicago-based international outplacement consulting company, claims that in well over 50 percent of all interviews, job seekers lost out by switching their roles from sellers to buyers. "In so doing," he says, "they quickly remove themselves from consideration for that job." You are there to tell an employer what you can do for the company, not what the company can do for you.
Finally, know when to stop talking and end the interview. Don't overstay your welcome. You should get a sense of when to end by watching the interviewer. If not, you might say, "I know you are busy, so I won't keep you any longer. Thank you for your time. I'm really interested in the position we discussed. If you have any questions or need additional information, please don't hesitate to call me."
