Job Interview Tips – Understanding the Interviewer (What They Want to Hear)

You have spent time applying to several jobs in your niche and have landed a few solid interviews. Preparation can be challenging because you don’t know what to expect when you SIT down to be interviewed. A majority of candidates feel nervous when being interviewed, especially if they have NOT done many interviews in their professional career. Before we move forward, we want to tell you that the more interviews you go through, the easier the process gets because of the experience you gain from each interview.

We want to help you prepare for your next interview by providing you with as many strategies as possible. However, you CAN take a few ESSENTIAL steps to build a stronger foundation and prepare yourself for those tough interview questions when they come your way. With that said,

We recommend starting each preparation process by understanding what the INTERVIEWER expects from potential candidates. So, before you can dig deep into the company and pitching your skillset to the interview, it helps to know what the interviewer wants to hear in the first place.

THE RIGHT PERSON

First, the interviewer wants to determine if you are the RIGHT person for the job. Remember, they are NOT just looking for any random person to FILL a position but are looking for the RIGHT person to fill a position. So, each question the interviewer WILL ask you has a purpose, and these questions will ultimately lead them to the information they need to make the RIGHT decision. Before beginning the interview, each interview question and answer you train for should keep the interviewer’s concerns in mind.  We feel there are a few simple but effective questions you can ask yourself to prepare for your interview ahead of time. For example,

Can you do the job? Who are you? Will you fit into the company? And What will you cost the company?

These questions above are concerns that the interviewer MAY have about you, so ensuring your answers are structured to address these concerns is always a good idea.

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CONCERN #1 –  Can You Do The Job?

Ensure that your answers demonstrate your ability to complete the required tasks. A majority of questions asked during the interview will determine if you CAN do the job you are interviewing for. In addition, we mentioned above, the interviewer is trying to determine if you are the RIGHT person for the job, so prepare each answer keeping this in mind. Here are some tips:

Focus on the most vital skills you have that are also relevant to the job

Answer each question with confidence and be as clear-cut as possible

Describe the education and training you have that’s relevant to the job

Talk about past relevant experience

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CONCERN #2 –  Who Are You?

To an interviewer, knowing what motivates you and your future GOALS is a great way to determine if you FIT into the company’s culture. For example, if you are passionate about your work, you are MORE likely to work harder. Not only that, but passion also equals motivation to succeed in what you are doing or working on. With that said,

Expect to be asked a few personal questions by the interviewer and prepare your answers keeping your motivation and passion in mind. Each one of your answers should display your passion for the job you are being interviewed for. Here are some tips:

Share your hobbies as they MAY relate to your field of work (if possible)

Share your best characteristics and ensure they complement the job applied for

Talk about your CURRENT and future goals

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CONCERN #3 –  Will You FIT Into the Company Culture

We encourage you to read about the company you have applied to and construct your answers based on their culture. For example, ask yourself how I can ensure that they FELL I will get along with co-workers and actively contribute to the company’s well-being objectives. When preparing answers to possible interview questions, try to add examples of you working with other co-workers and even participating in company events, etc. Here are some tips:

Share experiences with co-workers

Talk about team projects

Talk about events you have helped with or been part of at your previous job

Show how you were able to overcome difficult situations at previous jobs if any (interviewers are NOT looking for someone who gets along with everyone but can manage difficult situations effectively)

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CONCERN #4 –  Your Cost

These types of questions are generally asked once the interviewer sees you as a potential employee. If the salary is NOT clearly stated in the job posting, you MAY BE asked what it will cost them to have you on their team. Before heading into the interview, it’s BEST to know what other companies PAY for someone in the same position.

IMPORTANT, annual SALARY will be a concern of the interviewer because every company has a budget and an idea of what they are willing to pay. We will cover these types of questions later in our INTERVIEW QUESTIONS SERIES. However, we recommend you do the following –

Research comparative job figures beforehand

BEST to mention a SALARY range instead of SPECIFIC amounts

Do NOT talk about salary amount first EVER

Do not negotiate until a definitive job offer has been made

Never lie about PAST salary

Salary should always equal experience and responsibilities to the OVERALL value you provide

Final Thoughts

Always concentrate on the concerns of the interviewer. In other words, think about what the interviewer is trying to determine when hiring someone for a position at their company. With that said,

Before your interview date, you will MOST likely spend time researching the company and formulating a list of common interview questions and answers. We recommend keeping your answers as relevant as possible to the job role while also thinking about how you CAN ensure your answers address the interviewer’s concerns. Remember, your answers should always reflect what’s IMPORTANT to the interviewer, and that is to ensure you are the RIGHT qualified person for the job. Good Luck!

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