I’m writing this story for those of you who are unemployed.  This is designed to share tips and stories on what to do and what not to do on an interview. 

People are truly confused, desperate and discouraged, so I thought that speaking with some of our industry’s thought leaders and asking them for some insight into the current job market would be helpful.  With the economy creating such a crowded marketplace, it’s more critical than ever that you do your homework, be specific, and think outside the box.

People are getting hired and by going the extra mile, such as sending a handwritten thank-you or highlighting unique things they’ve done in your previous jobs (for one candidate, that was sending a potential client socks to smooth over their “cold feet”) you can increase your chances of being the chosen candidate.  An employer wants more than just experience - they want to know if you’ve got the passion and imagination to innovate their company and they want to know how you plan to do it.

The following are firsthand remarks from industry leaders, who are ’still’ growing their business with talented executives.

DOUG KNOPPER, CEO, FreeWheel

 Is there one key question that can make or break your interview?

“The first thing that people need to know when I am interviewing them is that I have a problem or need that I’m trying to fill.  If a candidate that I’m interviewing can’t provide me with the solution, then I’m not going to hire them”.   It’s that simple!    Knopper feels that candidates need to “focus on relevant results and goal-driven deliverables.”  He goes on to say, “It’s also good to demonstrate some long-term planning; I ask prospective hires where they see themselves going”? These are tough questions, and candidates should know that there’s no right or wrong answer - but, Knopper reveals, “the answers I receive tell me a lot about the person”. What Knopper is constantly evaluating is - “is this person going to help strengthen the direction of the company?”  Hiring managers tell me that there is a big difference from someone who says, “I don’t know - just trying to still figure that out,” and “I want to be a general manager or I want to be the head of sales.” So before interviewing, you should have a clear path and be able to communicate your career ambitions on an interview.

Key take-away:  Talk about how you are the solution to a potential employer’s problem.

DAVE YOVANNO, CEO, Gigya

How much information do you need to provide to a prospective employer?

Mr. Yovanno believes in “Quality over quantity” is a good rule. Shape both your resume and your cover letter around skills and experiences you have that have helped your current or previous employer achieve their goals. Yovanno states, “I don’t need to know every job you’ve ever had - just whatever is recent and relevant”.  During an interview, Yovanno wants a candidate to be able to articulate details regarding every step he/she took to win a client. He goes on to say, “I get impatient with answers in broad strokes. I give them three chances to answer my question and I ask them to give me an example from start to finish regarding a process or project. Walk me through it: what were your ideas, incentives, what was your relationship with the client, even where did you take them for dinner?”  It’s the level of detail, specifically what they did, that Yovanno looks for when interviewing people. Bottom line, he ends by saying “I want their achievements, not their company’s achievements. I want to know what they did, and where they drove value.  If they can’t answer that, it was probably someone else who drove the success of the project.”

Key take-away: Be relevant, sincere authentic and provide salient information.

TOBY GABRINER, President, Tribal Fusion

The talent pool right now is huge. How do candidates make themselves stand out?

Mr. Gabriner remembers the candidates who took the extra effort and paid attention to details.  He believes that “your mannerisms and demeanor are relevant - it’s the one chance the employer has to observe how you’ll behave in the office and with clients firsthand. If a candidate doesn’t follow up with a note, then that tells me how they will follow up with the client. Although most hiring managers are fine with a follow-up e-mail, Gabriner thinks “a handwritten note is really nice”, and even though we live in a fast-paced world, “that being said, a handwritten note stands out”.  Gabriner went on to talk about a candidate who really stood out:  ”a candidate once really took it a step further by sending a basket of muffins. I thought it was a really nice touch; she made me feel that she’d do a fantastic job with clients. Taking the time and putting your best foot forward, doing things that have a big impact, will help you in this market. Similarly, Mr. Gabriner believes that candidates have to “show that you’ve given the position some strategic thought; we are looking for strategic-minded people”. 

Key take-away: stand out from the other candidates and dare to put forth extra effort, but remember, please don’t go over the top.  Demonstrate a nice touch, strategic thinking, don’t be a nuisance.

CONCLUSION

Do all of your research before going into any interview. Do extensive research on the industry and the company - and not simply checking out the company web site. Talk to people in the field about current challenges and developments, do some extensive reading of industry publications and other relevant material, and shape your pitch to an employer around details and solutions, because they will be your key. Highlight specific, tangible accomplishments on your resume, and be prepared to provide the prospective employer with a thorough rundown of each of your past projects. The little things matter - and in this economy, where the talent in the applicant pool is consistently high across the board, it can make or break your chances of being hired. Finally, position yourself as a strategist. A candidate looking for a job for the sake of a job is not going to impress. A candidate who can map out a long-term strategic investment in the company and its goals will win out every time.

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