Interviewing

For all intents and purposes, you're on a date with your prospective employer when you interview.

I say this because it is a two-way street.  I think many people forget that.  They are as much under the microscope as you are.  Take advantage of this opportunity to see if the employer is up to snuff with what you're looking for.  The goal of an interview is for you both to get to know each other.

The best thing to come out of an interview is an understanding on both sides of the table that you're the best fit for their organization and they are the best fit for your life and career.  The hope is that it will be a long and fruitful relationship.

When you sit down, ACTIVELY LISTEN to what they say at the introduction and write down the questions you want to follow up on (you should always have a pen and pad).  This will give you an idea of the direction of the interview.  It will also provide you with some ideas for what to highlight from your personal or professional experience that may be helpful to those interviewing you.  Its also a way to genuinely connect with those you're communicating with.  (I am terrible at listening and often have to remember the tenets of active listening.)

I think a lot of folks interviewing for jobs give up their natural right to ask questions of the employer. Typical ones I've asked (if they aren't already addressed during the introductions) are:

1. Why are you hiring for this position?  (You can find out a lot about the organization's character and culture with this question.  Lots of turn over in the position could mean they need to work out some management issues.  If the person is being promoted, it means (often) that the company offers opportunities for advancement and good enough to stay with.  Listen closely to their response for clues of which way they're leaning.)

2. What is the potential for growth in the position? (Is there any opportunity for you to move up?  You may not be interested now, but its good to know you can grow professionally if you are hired and stay at this job.)

3. What are you looking for in terms of a candidate? (This is the easiest way to see if you're what they're looking for.  If you are a fit, try to highlight items they bring up with relevant experience you have to those items during the interview, when its appropriate.)

4. Have you decided on some possible candidates already? (This is really to manage your expectations.  Interviewers are often honest if they have found some good candidates.  You will likely never hear from them again if they don't offer you a job so this may be the only "closure" or explanation you have for why you might not be hired.)

5. When do you expect to have a decision? (This is also to manage your expectations.  I waiting 2 -3  months between my first and last interviews for one of my jobs.  From the time of my initial interview to the final offer, my last job took 6 months to materialize.  Things to keep in mind.)

Finishing up
Get contact information and email a thank you note to everyone (individually) for meeting with you.  Provide your contact (cell and email) if they have further questions.

Then put the job out of your mind and PRAY.  Not for the job, but for God's wisdom and guidance if it is in His will to give you that job.  PRAY often for peace as you wait and you'll be surprised how good you feel.  He, after all, is in complete control so just do what He compels you to do.

Continue to look for other opportunities until you hear back from one of your interviews.  Remember (my husband will chuckle), the more you interview, the better you'll be at learning the tips and tricks for securing an offer.

Good luck!