| When people come across job interviews, the first | | | | Director of the firm, I was asked to remain seated in |
| thought that crosses their mind is the series of | | | | the room. The Director advised me that I would be left |
| questions the job candidate will face in a meeting with | | | | alone in the room with a video camera observing me |
| a potential employer. I notice usually novice | | | | from a corner. My job would be to market myself by |
| professionals getting overwhelmed by the thought of | | | | making a three minute video relating to why the |
| interviews and becoming hesitant that he/she may | | | | marketing firm would want to hire me. I was granted |
| stumble across 'trick questions'. This article will not | | | | enough time to create my three minute video but I |
| discuss the type of questions that are asked in an | | | | started filming immediately when the Director walked |
| interview, instead I will share different types of | | | | out. Sometimes applying extra time under such |
| interviews that I have participated in that were | | | | challenges sabotages our chances of performing well, |
| different than the norm. Dependent upon the job | | | | so I pressed play and relayed the message I wanted |
| opportunity, employers find creative ways to filter | | | | to share with the Director's team. In this scenario it |
| applicants from their screening process. | | | | was my voice, appearance, presentation and diction |
| I have rarely come across any interviews where the | | | | skills that were being scrutinized by these |
| question and answer sessions are eliminated from the | | | | professionals. |
| interview. It is given that a job candidate will encounter | | | | Finally, I will share one more scenario from my many |
| a phone screening, in-person interview and/or skill | | | | experiences from the past. This interview was not a |
| requirements testing if a job position requires it. Then | | | | one-on-one, group panel or a recorded interview. This |
| there are more screening variables in some | | | | time I entered the interviewing site to find about two |
| companies. I recall being invited to an interview by a | | | | dozen job candidates situated in a conference room |
| mortgage firm where I was interviewed by two | | | | vying for the same job position as myself. Once the |
| managers, tested on my knowledge of mortgage | | | | interview coordinator arrived, job candidates were |
| loans, and then I was asked to take remain seated | | | | asked to pair off with another candidate for an |
| alone in the conference room for one more activity. | | | | undisclosed hour long activity. Candidates were asked |
| The last screening element comprised of picking up | | | | to learn about their activity partner and market them |
| the phone situated in front of me and answering these | | | | professionally when the couple was called to the |
| mock calls being registered from the neighboring room. | | | | podium. So I would be marketing my partner and he |
| Employers like to see how job candidates work under | | | | would be marketing who I am to the crowd. In |
| pressure and apply their professional ethics at the | | | | essence, each candidate was being screened for their |
| same time. So the phone would ring, I would pick it up | | | | marketing, oratory and team building skills. Two |
| and it would be a company employee posing as a | | | | company directors would be judging us on specific |
| mortgage client complaining and challenging my | | | | variables that would determine who be asked to return |
| relationship management skills. I was expected to | | | | for another round of interviewing. I enjoyed the activity |
| answer several of these calls representing different | | | | as I got to network and meet new contacts, though I |
| clientele issues and to resolve their concerns to the | | | | felt the activity was not properly executed. This |
| best of my ability. A special technology was used to | | | | interviewing method seemed great in theory though I |
| assess the tone of my voice, measure my anxiety | | | | felt it lacked a direct objective in application (in this |
| level on the phone and screen my phonetic skills. | | | | specific case). Perhaps the number of people |
| Technology is pretty amazing and I must say this leads | | | | participating and the unclear directives contributed to a |
| me to sharing my next experience. | | | | satisfactory outcome. I think it would have proven |
| This time I was interviewing for a marketing firm | | | | more effective if the large crowd was broken off into |
| where presentation skills and a polished demeanor is a | | | | two smaller groups where Group A's best presenting |
| required criteria for being hired. Some companies may | | | | couple could have competed against Group B's best |
| hire candidates with limited knowledge of various | | | | presenters. |
| forms of public presentation because they have the | | | | There are many interviewing methods that exist out |
| resources to groom them professionally later in time. | | | | there and thus job candidates should be open to new |
| Well, not at this place. By working in the corporate | | | | filtering mechanisms during their auditions. Chances of |
| world for quite a long time, I know marketing interviews | | | | successful interviews increase when job candidates |
| are very creative and there is always room for | | | | are relaxed and confident about themselves. After all, |
| surprises when job candidates are asked to make a | | | | you know yourself BEST. Be well and good luck on |
| first impression. After my in-person interview with the | | | | your next job interview. |