Become the Flawless Fit on the First In-Person Interview

In an employer's marketplace you must be the Flawless Fit to capture the position you want. The question is what to do to become the flawless fit in either situation. Here are three actions you can take to help you become the flawless fit:

1. A couple of days before an in-person interview, stand in front of a mirror and evaluate your appearance. Interestingly enough, you could be either one extreme or another -- looking too good or not good enough. Remember you do not want to outshine the employer or potential client. You need to match!

There's one exception. If you are entering a casual environment, unless you are told otherwise, you want to present an appropriate professional appearance. That means you should be well-groomed, wearing an outfit that is attractive with no distracters, such as showy jewelry, unpolished shoes, or unmanicured fingernails.

2. During an interview, either by phone or in-person, you must Manage the Process, which means you need to take charge. The goal is to eliminate potential objections to hiring you, such as a number of jobs in a short period of time. In order to eliminate the objections, you must anticipate them and provide answers that will satisfy the interviewer or interviewers. If you are asked a question that incorporates an objection, you have failed to squelch the concern or concerns, which means that it is unlikely that you will be hired if the objections are significant.

3. You need to be comfortable with potential employers or clients but not overly comfortable. The old expression, "Loose lips sink ships" holds true. You need to provide enough information to match. Do not provide unnecessary information of a personal nature. For example, the employer does not need to know your marital status. It’s all up to you to only say what needs to be said.

You can become the Flawless Fit on your first in-person interview, as long as you remember to take charge!

Questions or comments? Please email drbarro@winwithoutcompeting.com or call (310)441-5305.

Goodbye for now!

Dr. Arlene