Career Options Magazine

But is a job interview really a test? Interviews are no walk in the park, but thinking of them as “like exams” can lead you astray and cause you far more anxiety than necessary.

An interview is much more like a conversation than an examination. Sure, the interviewer is going to ask you a series of questions to determine what you bring to the table as a candidate. And your task as the candidate is to show that you’re right for the position (see “Top 3 Tips for a Great Interview Conversation” below). But unlike many exams, which require very specific answers, there are multiple ways to answer most interview questions depending on your own unique history and perspective. Too often, candidates spend time worrying about composing the right answer for every possible interview question. Once you realize there is no “right” answer, you can relax and focus on saying what you most want to say.

An interview is also more like a conversation because conversations are about interaction, not just answers. The relationship that is formed between you and the interviewer can be just as important as your actual responses. Why? Two reasons. First, interviewers are trying to get a sense of whether you will fit into the organization—so who you are, your personality and ability to connect with people, are highly important. They are not interested in meeting a test-taker who is reciting prepared answers—they want to meet the real you. Second, interviewers are human: they may be trying to maintain an objective hiring process, but they are still hoping to make a genuine connection with a good candidate.

Finally, interviews are more like conversations because they are meant to be a back-and-forth, give-and-take exchange. Exams don’t offer you the chance to ask questions of your professor—they are a one-way street. But interviewers want you to interact with them, and ask them questions that show you have spent some time thinking about whether the organization is a good fit for you. So don’t make the mistake that many new graduates make by thinking of the interview as a test and coming unprepared to ask their own questions. Remember, your role is to be a good conversationalist, so be ready to show your interest with some questions.

Thinking of your job interviews as examinations can have you sweating about crafting perfect answers, and can leave you more passive than active in the interview process. Choosing to think of your job interviews as conversations—dynamic exchanges of information and relationship building between people—will help you feel more confident, be more prepared, and make a better connection. No more exam anxiety needed! CO

Three Tips for a Great Interview Conversation

Be really clear about what skills and experience you bring to this particular position. You can never know exactly what questions you will be asked. But no matter what questions you get, if you know yourself really well and have thought about what makes you a good fit for this position, you will be ready for almost any question that might come up.

Have examples for each of your skills. It’s one thing to say, “I have great communication skills.” It’s another thing entirely to be able to back this up with solid evidence. Ideally, that evidence comes in the form of interesting stories about times you successfully used that skill in the past. These examples can come from paid work, volunteer work, school or other relevant settings. Have lots ready.

Prepare some questions that you would like to ask the interviewer. Usually after finishing all of their questions, an interviewer will give you a chance to ask questions. This isn’t just to be polite—this is acknowledging that the interview conversation really is a two-way street. Not only is the interviewer assessing how well you would fit their organization, you as the interview candidate are assessing how well this job, at this organization, fits what you are looking for. So think about what you want in a job, then ask about those things—for example, organizational culture, level of responsibility, opportunities for growth—that will help you learn more about whether this position is a good fit for you.

By Cathy Keates

Cathy Keates is a career counsellor with a decade of experience working with university students and new graduates, is the author of the job search manual Not for Sale!, and shares her thoughts about job searching with authenticity and integrity on her blog, “Transform Your Job Search,” at www.careerconsiderations.ca.