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Job Interviews

by Debra Wolf

Managing Special Interview Circumstances

Handling the Late or Missed Interview

There was a family crisis, a car accident on the highway, or some other event completely outside your control.

Call the interviewer as soon as you know you will be late, or miss the time slot. Explain briefly and calmly that you cannot make it. Apologize sincerely. Reschedule ASAP.

Follow up with a note, confirming the new time.

If you are late, when you arrive – clearly explain what happened (not too much detail!). Be prepared to wait (the interviewer may have given your slot to someone else). Stay calm, focused, and do your best.

Interviewer Blunders

What if you’re in top form, but the interviewer isn’t? It really does happen! You may get someone who is inexperienced, uncomfortable, or just not good at conducting interviews.

This is a tough one.

Try to make your points – bringing the discussion back to the guts of the job, and the qualifications and contributions you can bring to it. Stay confident and relaxed. Your demeanor may put the interviewer more at ease.

And remember – if the interviewer isn’t particularly skilled with you, he probably isn’t with the other candidates either. You may be on a level playing field, so just do your best to shine.

When you’re More Qualified Than Your Supervisor

Sitting across from the manager to whom you would report, and you know you can do her job, and then some?

First, ask yourself what you’re doing there!

If you really are overqualified, will you be happy in the job? Is this just a way “in” or a way to put food on the table?

If you feel strongly that this is a job you need, or a company you want to get into, then don’t overpower the interviewer with what you know. On the other hand, “dumbing down” is difficult for many to do, and not always in your best interest.

And chances are, the interviewer will quickly see how qualified you are. Your goal in this scenario? Don’t threaten her, or her job. Position yourself as an asset and a potential ally, and clearly explain why at this stage you think this is the ideal position for you.

This is one of those times when discussing family situation may be relevant, and in your best interest. If you are now raising small children and know that working in excess of 50 hours/week won’t fly – that’s a legitimate reason to explain that you foresee your next 5 to 8 years (whatever the timeframe) in a different sort of role. Focus on the contributions you can make in that role and how important the work-life balance is to you.

But be careful. This is a difficult line to walk. You’ve opened the door to the family discussion. Your manager isn’t going to want to anticipate you running out early when your child is sick, or other hassles from the company’s viewpoint. On the other hand, it’s the real world! Parents work, and kids get sick, have school plays, and need to see the dentist in the middle of the day.

If you have a good network of help – day care or other child care – it isn’t a bad idea to point that out.

Again – don’t focus on the special situation. Focus on what makes you the best possible candidate for the job, under any circumstances.

When the Unexpected Happens – No Chemistry and Other Problems

• What if previous interviews have gone well, but there simply is no chemistry with one interviewer?
• What do you do if the interviewer takes a phone call, and eats up your time slot?
• What do you do if the interviewer is interrupted, leaves, and doesn’t come back?

These things can and do happen. Be prepared, just in case. Here are some tips, on these and other atypical situations.

No Chemistry
No chemistry? It happens. Just stick to your key points, ask pertinent questions, and keep your body language “interested and enthusiastic.” Remember – you can’t have chemistry with everyone. If the chemistry is good with the others who interviewed you, the overall impression is most likely to be positive.  

Time Slot Swallowed by an interviewer Phone Call?
If an interviewer takes a call, or steps out of the office, do your best to be patient. Crises do arise, and if a manager is needed elsewhere, your understanding will be appreciated. Glance at your resume or portfolio, review some notes you may have made, and relax. More than likely the interruption will only be for a few minutes.

Interviewer goes MIA?
If the interviewer excuses himself and is gone for some time (it’s rare, but it can happen!), there’s not much you can do. If fifteen or more minutes go by, and he doesn’t return, consider leaving a note that says you’ve stepped out to the lobby or reception area. Then check with the HR representative, receptionist, or other person as to the status of your appointment. Politely mention that Mr. So-and-So stepped out 15 minutes earlier, and you were concerned. Is there a need to reschedule the interview? If so, your schedule is flexible. Otherwise, you’re happy to wait.

If you’re on a timetable of your own (and you’ve been waiting awhile) – you may have no recourse except to leave. This would be an exceptional situation, but, if it happens, be sure you let someone know the interview appears to have been delayed by a pressing business matter. Make sure you get the phone number and email of the person you were seeing. Leave word with the Reception that you couldn’t wait any longer, and you will be in touch to reschedule at a more workable time.

Put These Situations in Context
If one of these situations arises with only one interviewer, and you’ve seen a number of people, don’t judge the company by one person who lacks interviewing etiquette!

If this is going to be your manager, or a key co-worker, or, if others in the organization exhibit behaviors that you consider unprofessional, this may not be the environment for you.

Lying versus Marketing

You may be trying to get into a new industry, and your skills are lacking. Or you don’t want to discuss why you were fired from your last job. Is it a good idea to lie?

Marketing, and even a bit of exaggeration are one thing; lying is never a good idea. Body language for most of us will exhibit changes when we lie. The interviewer may pick up on it. But more importantly – is this really the basis for how you want in to the company? Even if you need the job desperately, aren’t you worried about getting caught further along in the process?

Companies are increasingly careful about verifying employment, school records, and even doing background checks. Keeping it real is always the best policy.

Special Case: You’ve Been Out of the Workforce for Years

You’ve been studying, raising a family, trying to build your own company, or just struggling to get a job after a few years of unemployment.

How do you answer the question about why you’ve been out of the workforce?

Best advice? Be honest, but put a positive spin on it. If you’ve been raising a family for 10 years, say so. And bring the conversation back to the transferable skills you have from that experience, along with prior work experience, education, and other credentials.

Been unemployed for 3 years? Point out that you’ve used the time in this tough job market to acquire new skills, take classes, or refocus your career objectives.

Started your own business, but it didn’t work? Let the interviewer know that you went out on your own for a few years. Highlight what you learned, and how that will help in this position. If you discovered that you are more comfortable working in an organization rather than on your own, put the best spin on that. For example, “I missed the interaction with customers and co-workers. The collaboration results in great work.”

Been doing volunteer or pro-bono work while not officially in the workplace? Mention those projects, activities, and the related accomplishments and skills. Be sure to bring those contributions back to their applicability in this situation.

Downsized? Is it Sill a Stigma?

If you’ve been RIF’d or downsized, you have a host of feelings you’re bringing to the interview table. Most of us feel somehow “less” than we used to, following a layoff. Even if it had nothing to do with our skills or performance!

Be straightforward about the downsizing. Position it in a positive light (“the entire department was let go when new management came in”). And move on, quickly, to why you are the best candidate for the job.

Whatever you do – set aside the chip you have on your shoulder, if it’s still there. Downsizing is a business decision. Show the maturity to understand that. It’s terrible to live through, but hundreds of thousands of American workers have. It’s not a stigma; it’s a reality in today’s work environment.