6

TAKE CENTER STAGE: THE INTERVIEW

It's a common myth that introverts are handicapped when it comes to interviewing. But this is simply not true. Comfortable behind the scenes and leaning toward quiet reflection, you demonstrate an ability to listen that draws people out and allows them to express themselves freely. These characteristics can work in your favor during an interview: You won't exhaust the interviewer with long-winded responses, and when the time is right, you are likely to come up with meaningful answers and insightful questions.

You may not be a glib small-talker who enjoys publicizing yourself on a billboard for all to see. You may also struggle to answer questions in full or shrink at the idea of promoting your admirable achievements and personal qualities. However, you can easily turn your uncertainty into a winning interview with some advanced planning and confidence-building techniques.

It is fairly common to experience some anxiety when putting yourself in the spotlight of the interview. No one is completely at ease when evaluated under this kind of social microscope. After all, a hiring manager and possibly a work team will give you the thumbs up or thumbs down, so it's normal to feel some nervousness about your ability to perform well. Just keep in mind that no matter what the decision may be, it won't spell your demise. Let yourself go with the flow, and tell your professional story in a natural and engaging way—embrace your achievements and give the employer a glimpse into what makes you tick. The key is balancing your introverted strengths with a touch of borrowed, extroverted energy.

Introverts can fall short in the interview by not saying enough or panicking at a personal question. In this chapter, you'll find tips for interview preparation with specific guidance on how to select and emphasize examples of your projects and their outcomes—especially examples that demonstrate your solutions to problems and innovative ideas. In the pages ahead, we'll examine some real-life stories of introverts who learned to succeed in interviews using the methods described here.

Preparation: Lay the Groundwork

Let's first examine that critical period before the interview when it's time to prepare. This is the moment to review your own qualifications—the highlights of your experience and skills that make you shine—as well as how to describe yourself on a more personal level. At this time, you will also want to research the employer and, if possible, your interviewers. You will feel better prepared with a sense of the types of questions asked, so I will also examine three categories of questions often posed by interviewers, and how to use these to your advantage in telling your story. In addition, I'll discuss ways to practice your interviewing skills in advance—before it really counts.

What Are Employers Looking For?

On your personal radar screen, consider what the employer is seeking in an employee beyond obvious requirements like experience and qualifications. A survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder with 2,138 hiring managers and human resource professionals across industries and company sizes examined what skills and qualities employers look for in job candidates. The survey found that 77 percent believe that soft skills (personality qualities and how employee relate and interact with others) are just as important as the hard skills.¹ These soft skills include having a strong work ethic, the ability to work well under pressure, and being an effective communicator, plus qualities like having a positive attitude and being dependable, self-motivated, team-oriented, confident, and flexible. Other employer surveys, including one conducted by LinkedIn in 2014, concluded that these same soft skills were equally desirable, but also highlight the importance of cultural fit, innovation, expressing your opinions, and taking initiative.²

You are not expected to transform into Superman or Wonder Woman and save the organization with super power skills. But you do need to come armed with accomplishments and examples of quality work that will reflect some of these mortal but impressive soft skills and technical talents.

Review Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile

A solid starting point as you prepare for an interview is to review the work you have already accomplished. Employers are likely to ask some questions based on reading your resume and LinkedIn profile, so anything you've listed on these is fair game. It's easy to forget specific details of a job you had five years ago, but this position may be of interest to the interviewer, so look over your resume closely. As your review it, pull out the projects and accomplishments that best match the job description.

The following questionnaire is designed to help you dig deeply into the wellspring of your experience and generate examples that demonstrate your competence and knowledge. These are also areas likely to be of interest to your interviewer. The payoff for completing this questionnaire is that you will be on your way to resolving the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question (not adjusted for inflation): “What do I say in an interview?”

What are your major tasks and responsibilities in your current position and most recent past jobs? If you are unemployed at the moment, use experiences from your most recent work. As a recent grad, you can pull from internships and leadership activities.

What are your signature work accomplishments/results? You have picked up from previous chapters that accomplishments reign supreme. List ones specific to your target employer, but don't leave out accomplishments that highlight your soft skills, too.

What are some problems/obstacles you have faced in the workplace, and how did you resolve them? This doesn't have to be a dramatic problem; examples might be customer complaints, delays that impact deadlines, technology issues, or a panel speaker not showing up.

What skills and abilities have you developed and/or strengthened? You can pull from a self-assessment chart or your resume, but consider any other specific skills that would be of interest to the employer. This is also a good place to list any courses or training that contributed to building your skill set.

What have you learned about yourself through experience? Think of defining moments in your career when you gained insight about yourself related to work.

What excites you about your industry and field? Reach inward for what you find compelling about your profession.

What are some current and important trends that interest you? Identify a few trends to bring up in your interview that demonstrate your knowledge of cutting-edge techniques or innovative ideas.

What are some important decisions you have made at work and in your career? These can include examples such as why you switched jobs or careers, a situation in which you reported unethical behavior, or one where you employed basic decision-making in selecting a database to collect information.

How do you handle difficult people? Think of some challenges you have faced in interactions with colleagues, supervisors, board members, or clients, and how a resolution was reached. If you are a recent college graduate, you can use professors or students as models.

How do you work in groups or teams? Think about typical roles you have adopted, such as leader, facilitator, mediator, organizer, and delegator, and how these roles have taken shape and evolved.

How do you deal with adversity on the job? These are bigger-picture issues than trivial workplace problems. Examples might be morale issues, major company or organization transitions, or reduction in salary or benefits.

A Sample Response: Alan the Librarian

Let's see how Alan, a librarian seeking advancement to a management position, successfully handled a typical interview question after reviewing his work history, skills, and education.

Which of your qualifications would make you successful in this position?

I began my career in library science by pursuing my graduate degree at Drexel University, one of the top Library Science programs. Since graduation, I have worked at the University of Maryland's business library at the circulation desk where I have had the opportunity to train library interns and initiate changes to circulation procedures. I continue to expand my knowledge by participating in professional conferences and taking technology courses offered at the University. I believe my project management and ability to build working relationships combined with my technology skills would make me a strong candidate for the Director of Circulation.

Without skipping a beat, Alan fully answered this question because he took the time to carefully go over his background and accomplishments. With this self-portrait already in mind, Alan had a flashlight in hand to shine on his educational qualification, with two examples of success in his work (supervising interns and introducing needed workplace change) that reflected leadership, ability to achieve results, and willingness to share his knowledge with others. Additionally, he showed the prospective employer that he is engaged and committed to his field, noting professional development (conferences and technology courses). Because Alan had done his homework and examined the key building blocks of his career, it was smooth sailing when he was asked this traditional interview question.

Review What Makes You Tick

Now that you have broken down your experience into its various facets for quick and timely recall, it's time to turn to another important interview topic: what makes you tick. Think about what spurs you on versus what holds you back. It's inevitable that the interviewer will ask you questions that attempt to uncover who you really are, especially your more appealing personal qualities. For introverts, questions that seem more personal often present the greatest challenge. It's not that you are inept at talking about yourself, but your tendency is to keep your cards close to your chest.

However, you don't want to let a potential employer fill in your puzzle with mismatched pieces. Before being cast in the hot seat, take the time to list examples on the following questionnaire using both your head and your heart. Capturing your personal essence and having it at the right moment will help avoid any stuttering and stammering. There is a benefit to these questions: They often reveal your soft skills like work ethic, positive attitude, flexibility, and motivation. These are skills highly sought after in this age of hard, foot-to-the-floor acceleration.

Describe yourself in three or more adjectives. Pull from your assessment chart from Chapter 2, or list what naturally comes to mind.

How would your colleagues and friends describe you? Ask your friends or colleagues for some phrases or adjectives they might use to describe you.

What motivates you in work and in your life? Imagine times and circumstances in which you were captain of your ship and very much in the flow.

How do you handle stress? Think of positive ways you cope with stress, like certain exercises or support from positive-minded friends.

Do you have a personal accomplishment of which you're especially proud? Only list examples outside of work that you feel comfortable discussing. Accomplishments from running a marathon or reading a book a month, to helping an elderly relative or overcoming a personal challenge are all personal achievements. You do not need to win a Nobel Prize or be a triathlete to appeal to an employer.

What are your strengths? You can borrow some skill-based examples from your work experience questionnaire, but also focus on more personal qualities such as creative thinker, approachable, or sense of humor.

What is one of your biggest weaknesses? No one likes this question because you won't want to share anything potentially true about yourself that might startle your interviewer or throw you out of the competition. You might be a procrastinator, but you won't want to communicate that to a prospective employer. Select a weakness that's authentic but digestible to an employer, then focus on the fact that you have improved or are working on it. Avoid the clichés: “I am a perfectionist and a workaholic.” Be honest about a weakness that's true to your character and wouldn't scare off your interviewer. Employers aren't trying to trick you. They just want to know that you are aware of your weakness and are taking steps to improve it.

What are your future goals? No one has a crystal ball or is capable of predicting the changing currents of modern-day economics. But try to form a vision of your career and how you might like it to unfold further down the road of life. Think of examples related to advancing to a higher position, skill development, and/or building competencies.

How do you handle conflict? Examples might include work project challenges or interpersonal conflicts presented by coworkers, supervisors, clients, or customers.

What ideas or initiatives have you contributed to an organization? Here you have an opportunity to display your creative thinking talents and conjure up examples that show where you have inaugurated ideas, designed effective techniques, or established well-orchestrated programs.

What are your outside interests or hobbies? There is so much more to a good employee than how they fit a strict job description. For example, an interviewer will sometimes ask about what you like to do in your free time, or to discuss the last book you read.

Andrea: A Sample Response

Andrea is a lawyer at a large firm who successfully balanced her introversion with the firm's extroverted demands. After a successful five-year run of legal contract work, she is applying for in-house counsel positions. As part of her job search strategy, Andrea wanted to polish up her interview skills. She felt confident answering questions about her education and work experience, but was anxious about the more personal questions, so we worked from some examples on her questionnaire. Andrea listed public speaking as an example of an area she wanted to improve. This helped her attack the dreaded question, “What is one of your weaknesses?” Because she had a chance to think about this question in advance, she was well prepared to answer it.

What is one of your biggest weaknesses?

I was never strong at public speaking, but over the past few years, I have taken the initiative at my firm to adopt leadership roles through committees, and to run meetings to help me feel more comfortable when addressing a group or the court. Recently, I was asked to present a seminar at the local bar association that was well received by the audience, even though I experienced some performance anxiety just before the presentation.

Rather than attempting to mask her flaw, Andrea came right out and emphasized ways she has approached her weakness that anyone would find reasonable and even admirable. Admitting that her challenge didn't simply disappear overnight, Andrea presents herself as someone who has the sense of self, courage, and mindfulness to grapple with a personal challenge and take action to seek out solutions that result in improvement.

Employer Research: It Pays to Be in the Know

While you are busy fretting over how you will answer the multitude of questions, don't fall short on fully researching the target employer. Enlist your introverted style of deep concentration and focus to uncover the nature and goals of the organization. What you learn from your research will help you articulate both why you are interested in the company and why it's a good fit for you. Your research will help you generate questions to ask your interviewer, as well as strategize answers to interview questions that demonstrate how you can contribute to the organization.

Inserting a fact that you learned during your company research into one of your answers will impress the interviewer with your knowledge and initiative. For example, you might be asked the typical interview question, “Why are you interested in our company?” The following answer effectively demonstrates that you took the time to carefully investigate the company.

I noted on your website that you are expanding your work in artificial intelligence (AI), and I discovered in my research that Computer World ranked your company as one the top innovators in the field. I want to play an integral role in a company that's on the cutting-edge of AI. With my technical, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills, I am confident that I can help build a promising future for Astrodynamics.

Taking the initiative is a sought-after quality in today's fast-paced workplace, and this answer shows that the interviewee went the extra mile to gain unique knowledge about the company.

What You Should Know About an Employer

Products or Services

What are the products or services the company provides?

What is special or stands out about the company's area of expertise or product?

What is the mission or philosophy of the organization if it's a nonprofit?

How innovative is the company or organization?

Size and Growth

How many employees work for the company?

Has the company expanded or downsized in the past five years?

How many clients or customers does the company serve?

How many locations and divisions does the company have?

Does the company hire contract workers, and what percentage of total workforce do they represent?

Who is on the board of directors?

Will technology impact the future of the company, for better or worse?

Competition

Who are the company's competitors?

What is the reputation of the company?

Culture

What is the management structure?

What is the organization's philosophy on providing service or doing business?

What is the approach to work-life balance?

How many women and minorities are in leadership positions?

How does the company use social media?

Financial Health

What is the company's source of funding?

What are the company's assets and earnings?

Have profits been up or down in the last few years? (For a non-profit, look for answers in the annual report, current budget, and funding sources.)

Is the company or organization privately or publicly owned?

Depending on the industry, there may be other topics you want to explore further in your research, but this gives you a good place to start.

Fortunately, several online sources can help you answer many of these questions. The power of preparation will support your self-confidence and allow you to enter the interview well informed. If you can't find answers to certain points, this might trigger a thoughtful question to ask at your interview. Your interviewer will appreciate such an intelligent inquiry, which may stimulate a vigorous dialogue.

Company website: One of the best ways to get a feel for the organization's culture is to read through the company website. Is the website design and presentation appealing and user friendly? Are the organization's services clearly stated and the nature of the products clearly explained? Foremost in your website research should be practical considerations, such as the company's financial health and how the organization stands up against competition. Get a feel for the marketing strength of the services and products. Look to see if the website includes a list of senior team members with bios to get a view of the people who run the show.

Blogs: Reading a company blog is a great way to get a feel for spirit and personality. If an organization's website contains a blog, check to see if its topics indicate that the company has its finger on the pulse of current events.

Company reviews: Glassdoor.com is a career site that offers, at no cost, anonymous employee reviews with comments that bring the company to life. If you are a recent graduate, Vault.com is an excellent resource that describes company character and fiscal health details. In addition to providing employee reviews, these sites offer information about the organization's size, salary, and benefits with recent posts, videos, and photos.

Social media: Check to see if the company capitalizes on social media sites to inform the public of what they have to offer. Are they keeping posts timely and up to date? Is the content attracting a healthy number of followers? The extent to which a company puts forth energy in these ways will demonstrate how serious it is about marketing campaigns.

Google: The mother of all search engines, Google can reveal the health and nature of the company. News might include an employee honored with an industry award, company recognition as a leader in the field, recent attention in the media, or coverage in a trade or industry publication. It is also possible to find company flaws or pitfalls related to legal or ethical issues. Whatever you discover, information is king, and you will feel more in control if you know both the good and the bad.

Insiders: In many ways, it's “who you know” that can support your research. If you are acquainted with someone inside the organization, strike up a conversation about their experiences to get real-time scoops on the inner workings of the company and a feel for employee morale and treatment. There is no better source for information about the informal operation of a company, its strong and weak points, and its approach to work-life balance than someone who is living the day-to-day workplace experience. If by chance this inside person happens to report to the same manager that you would, this individual can offer you the opportunity to get a feel for the manager's expectations and see the kind of direction and guidance you could expect from them. You can also get an idea of how this kind of supervision might mesh with your own work style—or, just as important, how it might not. The chance to establish an understanding of the manager's style and personality, and then determine their expectations of employees, can be invaluable as you prepare for the interview.

The Judge and Jury: Who Are Your Interviewers?

Once you are scheduled for an interview, human resources or the hiring manager will usually provide the names of your interviewers. One scenario might be a single interview with a direct supervisor. However, as of the writing of this book, the trend for interviews is to include a human resources staff member, a supervisor, two or three individual staff members, or even a group interview with an entire team. To develop a sense of who your interviewers really are, you can employ many of the same resources previously mentioned. Check LinkedIn to read profiles, Google to see if any of these employees have been quoted in the media or recognized for outstanding performance, and check Twitter to find out if they've posted articles or interesting tweets.

You may also find that you have things in common with one or more of the interviewers. Maybe you graduated from the same university or are fellow members of a professional association. And as the interview unfolds, look for opportunities to show the quality of your interest in the company, and the initiative you have taken to learn about it. Mention a relevant point you learned through Internet research or social media about an employee, the CEO, or a director.

Compose Your Answers: Use the Q&A to Tell Your Story

Once you complete your career history and employer research, you can turn your attention to preparing for the question and answer (Q&A) session. Keep in mind that you are in a competition. As in any competitive event, you need to warm up, practice, and prepare yourself both mentally and physically, to ensure you have the best chance to make it to the finish line and win the gold (in this case, the job).

One form of preparation is to compose answers to questions in the form of a story. The format should position you as the main character who is professional and competent, but at the same time eminently likeable and accessible. Your story needs to retain the attention of the interviewer and keep them engaged. Therefore, you need to fill your story with meaningful details and accomplishments that the interviewer finds compelling and significant.

Three Interview Question Categories

Forget about trying to predict the exact questions that might be thrown at you. Instead, you can familiarize yourself with the three main categories of questions; then, learn the mechanics of the techniques used to address them. This will help you feel prepared and confident during the interview, enabling the story of your career to progress.

Career Background and History Questions

Questions related to your job history, career goals, and educational background tend to be the ones answered most directly and fluently. These questions are also the easiest to prepare for. For example:

Why do you want this job?

What have you learned from your past jobs?

Why should we hire you?

Why did you go to law school?

Although these questions tend to be the most anticipated, you can lose points in the competitive world of interviewing by omitting information that is highly desired by the interviewer. To help my clients compose complete answers to these questions I developed the SMART formula:

S–Situation: Context or example of circumstance.

M–Motivation: Your goal in answering the question.

A–Action: What you did to make things happen.

R–Results: What the outcome was.

T–Transformation: What skills or knowledge contributed to making a change or outcome.

Eduardo: A Sample Response

Eduardo, an introverted IT senior manager, came to see me because he wasn't getting any traction from his interviews but didn't know why. He believed that he was able to answer any question presented to him, yet he continued to leave interviews with a strong suspicion that the interviewer didn't really understand the many ways in which Eduardo had excelled at his work. During a mock interview session, I asked Eduardo, “Why should I hire you?” His answer was:

I am a good problem-solver and I have substantial experience in IT and process solutions. In addition, I have led and managed teams. In my career, I have taken on many challenging projects and succeeded in making systems more efficient in organizations.

Although not a bad answer, it provides no evidence to demonstrate that Eduardo is adept at problem-solving or making processes more efficient. In our discussion, it became clear that Eduardo managed to sidestep some impressive achievements and admirable skills, as well as his insight into his industry. Using SMART, we broke down the components of his professional achievements so Eduardo could expand his answer in a way that cites with real-life specifics how much he has to offer.

S–Situation: Example of major project: Process solution.

M–Motivation: Show how problem was solved at work and relate it to prospective employer needs.

A–Action: Developed model to reduce cycle time. Supervised team of twenty.

R–Results: Improved the change control process, resulting in a cycle time reduction of more than 9,000 hours per year. Model adopted across the company.

T–Transformation: Technology expertise, problem-solving, and leadership resulted in transformation.

Here is Eduardo's improved answer after using SMART:

I have both the qualifications and experience that you need for this position, but it doesn't stop there. You mentioned that your company finds it challenging to stay on top of the fast pace of change in technology. In my last position, leading a team of twenty, I developed and implemented a model that improved the change control process, resulting in a cycle time reduction of over 9,000 hours per year. This model was adopted across the company. With my skill in problem solving and implementing process solutions, I can help your organization stay on the cutting edge.

Taking his cue from the job description, Eduardo read up on the company's key challenge with technology and addressed this as part of his motivation in answering the question. He further demonstrated his professional success and skills by highlighting a specific accomplishment and demonstrating how his knowledge and skills achieved a transformation.

Behavioral/Situational Questions

These questions tend to be the ones that cause jittery nerves. Asking you to reflect on past conflicts or challenges, the interviewer will generally start with “Tell me a time . . .” or “Give me an example . . .” Relax. The interviewer's aim is not to unnerve you or trip you up. The manner in which you describe the steps you took to resolve a dicey situation gives the interviewer a sense of your poise, calm, and thoughtfulness you might bring to work in the future. Examples of behavioral/situational questions might be:

Can you tell us about a time you failed at something?

Can you give me an example of a time you were creative in your work? What was exciting or challenging about it?

Can you give me an example of a time you had a conflict with a coworker?

If you are not prepared for this type of question, you might freeze up, but there's a technique for answering these, too. The STAR method is a system to help you respond to behavioral questions in an organized, thoughtful, and relaxed manner.

S–Situation: Background information that sets the scene.

T–Task: Your responsibility.

A–Action: What you actually did to accomplish the goal.

R–Results: The outcome. Did you solve a problem or create something new or innovative?

Leah: A Sample Response

Leah, a successful event planner, was ready to look for new opportunities, but she had the nagging feeling that she wasn't putting her best foot forward in interviews. She knew she had to present herself in the best light to strengthen her position as a contender in the competitive job market. But she was unsure of how to draw from her pool of experiences and organize her responses in a way that produced impact. When she expressed particular concern about answering behavioral questions, I walked her through the STAR method.

Leah works for a company that plans and executes organizational conferences and large events. This kind of work is full of opportunities for minor and major disasters alike, so I invited Leah to focus on some problem scenarios. She provided an example of a time when she attacked a problem and achieved a successful outcome, showing admirable personal and professional qualities, and proving that she could learn and grow from a challenging experience.

In this example, her boss placed her in charge of a major professional conference held in Charleston, South Carolina—her first experience at this level of responsibility. On the opening day of the conference, her first major obstacle arose when she received a frantic call from the organization's conference chair because the PowerPoint slide projector was not working and the keynote speaker was about to begin. Here is what we pulled from Leah's experience using the STAR method to help her present the problem and organize a cogent response to the typical behavioral question: “Can you give me an example of how you handled a difficult situation at work?”

S–Situation: Overseeing first major event at large conference in Charleston, South Carolina, when the client, the chair of the conference, called screaming that the PowerPoint slides were not working, and the keynote address was scheduled to start in fifteen minutes.

T–Task: To fulfill contract requirements, address the needs of her client, and ensure that the keynote address started on time.

A–Action: Remain calm, reassure the client (conference chair), and quickly locate the AV staff.

R–Result: AV responded quickly and fixed PowerPoint slides three minutes before keynote address. Chairman complimented Leah on her professional demeanor in a crisis situation. Leah learned from this experience. Next time, she would check in advance to ensure that AV is set up and working properly.

Here is Leah's improved answer using STAR:

I was looking forward to taking charge of my first large event for the GALA Company at the Marriott in Charleston, South Carolina. When I arrived the night before the conference, everything seemed to be in place. The morning of the event, I received a call from the chair of the conference, who was furious and screaming on the phone. I could barely follow what she was saying. I told her that I appreciated how upset she was but needed her to calm down so I could understand what the problem was. She explained that the PowerPoint slides weren't working and the keynote speech to open the conference was scheduled to start in fifteen minutes.

I assured her that I would take care of the situation immediately. I called the AV cell number and also raced to the hotel desk to make sure the problem was communicated at all levels. Two AV staff showed up in the conference room within five minutes and corrected the situation just in time, with only three minutes before the speech. I was complimented on solving the problem in a professional manner by the conference chair. I believe that my calm demeanor combined with my communication and problem-solving skills contributed to a happy ending. Since this experience, I always make sure that AV equipment is up and running about sixty minutes in advance of the program.

STAR provided an organized approach that allowed Leah to tell her story in a manner that was easily followed by an interviewer. Just as important, Leah's description of the crisis scenario demonstrated her praiseworthy skills and personal traits including persistence, ingenuity, composure, and what lessons she learned from this experience to pave the way to smoother scenarios in the future.

Viewpoint Questions

Designed to reveal more of your heart and soul, viewpoint questions help employers get to know who you are on a personal level. They often require you to express an opinion or convey your philosophy. Some examples of viewpoint questions might include:

What's the most important thing you learned in school?

What do you see as some major challenges in this industry?

What makes someone a good leader?

There is no specific formula for answering viewpoint questions; rather, think of your responses as if you were writing a short editorial. In preparation, consider some salient observations and important realities you have picked up while working in your field or industry in the recent years. Ask yourself what style of management has brought out your best—and be ready to articulate that. You might bring to mind milestone decisions that made a significant impact on the trajectory of your career. To begin grappling with these questions—and avoid feeling thrown by them—refresh your memory on the driving forces in your work. The fact is that many introverts do well with these questions because they require more inwardly directed, thoughtful responses.

The following is an example of a well-composed response to a typical viewpoint question: Who has impacted you the most in your career and how?

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a supervisor who was compassionate, organized, and highly respected throughout the organization. She had high expectations of me and team members, employing a management style that was firm but supportive. She saw my potential and challenged me to voice my ideas and create new programs, always acknowledging my achievements and commending me to the division director. Her confidence in my abilities inspired me to take new risks, like expressing my opinions at large division meetings and collaborating with other divisions on program development. With her guidance and support, I created an innovative program that still exists and is now funded by a major corporation. Even though I left the organization several years ago, she still serves as an important mentor in my career.

This response ticks off boxes on multiple levels. It provides the interviewer insight into the candidate's philosophy of good leadership skills (high expectations/mentoring/team-building) and personal qualities (guidance, respect, support), as well as how this leadership style helped the candidate grow professionally (taking new risks and creating innovative programming).

Practice Makes Perfect

Now that you had the chance to take inventory of your career, education, and what makes you tick, it's time for the dress rehearsal. At this important moment, a key element to interview preparation is practicing your answers to a mix of questions. This doesn't require you to write down full responses or memorize exactly what you are going say. Rather, try to think in bullet points, identifying the main ideas to cover, along with supporting examples you want to provide, as you tell a rich and full story of your accomplishments and experiences.

Here is a list of interview questions for the purpose of practice. You can also visit Livecareer.com, which offers an extensive list of interview questions, including specific questions you might be asked within specific occupational fields, as well as sample answers. However, steer clear of adopting someone else's answer to a question. Although it's helpful to learn from the way others might approach a question, trust your own authentic voice to speak from your personal experience.

Practice Interview Questions

This chapter has already presented a range of typical interview questions, and the following list provides examples that are designed to showcase your skills. These questions and directives specifically address many of the qualities and skills sought by employers today.

General

Walk me through your resume.

Describe a job or task that has had the greatest impact on your career goals.

Which of your skills is specifically related to this position?

What have you learned from your previous experiences?

Which of your qualifications do you think would make you successful in this job?

What kinds of projects or responsibilities motivate you the most?

Tell me about your leadership experience.

Tell me about an interesting article you read.

What would you like me to know about you that is not included on your resume?

Behavioral

Describe an experience in which you demonstrated initiative.

Describe an example of when you showed creative thinking.

Tell me about an important goal you set for yourself and what steps you took to achieve it.

Give me an example of a time you had to take a risk.

Give me an example of a time you went the extra mile to get a project or task done.

Describe a difficult decision you made and your thought process leading to that point.

Describe to me an instance of a conflict between you and your supervisor or coworker and how you resolved it.

Tell me about a recent team effort or group project.

About the Organization

What can you tell us about our company?

What specifically made an impression on you when you reviewed our website?

What do you think of our organizational structure?

What criteria do you use to evaluate an organization where you wish to work?

Practice Techniques

Try Your Hand at Role-Play

Even carrying some baggage of introversion, I have been frequently surprised when I walk out of an interview with a feeling of success. When I was growing up, I acted in community and school theater productions. As an adult, I found that my experience of expressing myself through other characters helped me in interviews. It allowed me to see the theater in the occasion and take on the persona of a confident professional, which, of course, was an integral part of me all along.

Acting classes are not an essential ingredient in preparing for interviews and performing well in them, but as you practice questions, imagine yourself in the role of a successful professional. Even if it feels like you're faking it, leave your reserved identity outside the door, and practice entering the room as your confident self.

Along with going over practice questions on your own, find a trusted friend or colleague to act as your role-play supporter and conduct a mock interview. Having another person ask the questions will give you a reality check. Review your answers and ask for honest, objective feedback. Taken in the right way, objective feedback can be invaluable when you go in for the real interview.

Take Advantage of Technology

To help you practice, take advantage of the technology that we use in our daily routine. Some of it may seem mystifying at first, but the array of gadgets at our fingertips offer an excellent tool, particularly for introverts who work best when they have the time to take a deep breath and carefully process them on their own.

As you learn to practice questions using technology, you can apply trial and error to sharpen your skills. Remember: No one is evaluating you—except you. Eventually, as you become increasingly at ease, invite an astute friend or colleague to listen and observe your interviewing skills and have him or her offer creative criticism.

Start by recording your voice as you answer questions using your cell phone, tablet, or laptop. Take note of your tone of voice: Is it engaging or too edgy? Is the quality of the content relevant? Is the way you deliver that content concise or rambling? Overall, do you sound convincing and confident, or tentative and unsure?

Video will give the most unvarnished and honest reflection of your interviewing skills, as long as you view yourself with a critical—but not overly critical—eye. Better yet, enlist a friend or colleague to ask you questions and control the video for you.

In this self-critique process, it is important to be honest about one's flaws, but not to the point of tearing down self-confidence. Give equal time to the strong points you see by appreciating the ways you excel in answering questions.

There's an App for That

Naturally, as with any need in life today, there is an app for that. Developed by Career Confidential, JobInterview Q&A is an interactive app that asks you five basic interview questions to answer on video, and the app will give you feedback on the quality of your answer.

Assess Your Nonverbal Communication

A well-known research study conducted by Albert Mehrabian, professor emeritus at UCLA, found that 93 percent of our interpersonal communication is nonverbal, breaking down into 55 percent visual (body language and eye contact) and 38 percent vocal (pitch, speed, volume, tone of voice).³ Only 7 percent of communication actually uses words. These percentages may seem unrealistic, but other studies reinforce the dominating role that nonverbal forms of communication play.

How you comport yourself in an interview speaks volumes. Your observations of watching yourself on video or feedback from a friend or colleague should include an assessment of your nonverbal communication in addition to content.

Is your posture upright and reflecting confidence, or are you slumped in the chair? Are your eyes appropriately focused on the interviewer in a way that shows interest but is not challenging? Or are they avoiding such positive contact? Do you tend to speak too fast? Do you hesitate before you respond, which creates awkward pauses? What are you doing with your hands? Are your gestures natural or a distraction? Body language, pace of delivery, and tone of voice can compromise your goal of convincing the employer that you are the best candidate.

Put It All Together

The mock video interview is a valuable learning tool that can help carve a path to a new opportunity. Maya, an entrepreneur who established a successful clothing line, was looking for a new way to employ her skill and experience within the traditional workplace, but her interviews were dead ends. The mock interview revealed that she suffered from the introvert's Achilles' heel: holding her cards too close to the vest while failing to promote her talents and accomplishments. Beyond the verbal content—or lack of it—the video brought to light distracting nonverbal communications that distracted the interviewer from focusing on Maya as a desirable candidate.

Maya applied for a marketing position at a sportswear company, so I posed the question, “How will your entrepreneurial experience be an asset to Action World Sportswear?” Note the improvement from her initial response to her final response.

Maya's Initial Answer

In building my successful clothing line, I had to develop a good understanding of market research and strategy in addition to overseeing finance and operations. I understand all the functions that are integral to marketing a product. I am also familiar with how clothing is made, the importance of fit, and current style trends.

Maya's Nonverbal Signals and Tone

We both noticed that Maya started almost every response with a self-doubting, uncertain “Um.” From the outset, she was simply disempowering herself and leeching energy from whatever answer she was about to provide. Maya also saw that she was literally bracing herself by crossing one arm over the other, while supporting herself by holding tightly onto her elbow. We agreed that this was sending a closed off message of tension and insecurity. Consequently, Maya was failing to come across assertively or confidently based on her nonverbal communication alone.

Following the Mock Interview

We were able to pull out examples of Maya's marketing achievements that would provide a fuller picture of her skills and knowledge, as well as demonstrate how she would be an asset to the Action Sportswear Company. We also used SMART to map out a more complete answer. She practiced pausing silently for a few short seconds before she answered to avoid saying “Um.” We addressed her body language issues, as well. Knowing what to do with one's hands is always a question, so I had her place them in a relaxed manner on her lap or to the side. Given this thorough preparation, Maya was able to expand her response in a way that showed her depth of knowledge, experience, and success as an entrepreneur.

Maya's Improved Answer

As my business grew, I developed knowledge and skills to manage all the major functions of a business, including marketing, sales, finance, and operations. I discovered that I excelled at marketing, from identifying my ideal customer through market research and creating successful marketing campaigns. I designed and executed a social media marketing campaign that increased sales by 50 percent within a year. Pinterest worked especially well in marketing my clothing line because of the image capabilities on this platform. The sales results provided the funding needed to expand my business.

You mentioned that you are designing a new line of swimwear. I understand all the functions that are integral to marketing a product. I am also familiar with how clothing is made, the importance of fit, and current style trends. I know the challenges you face launching a new product. I am confident that my experience along with my analytical and creative thinking skills would help make this launch a success.

Having responded to the question this time with greater conviction, combined with a nonverbal message of strength, Maya achieved her desired transition. She was hired as a marketing director for a well-known dress designer.

Get Psyched: Overcome Fears and Create Optimism

Of course, fear is a normal reaction to interviewing or delivering presentations. When you are fearful or anxious, the brain floods the body with adrenaline and other chemicals to help you either fight or avoid the situation. This often causes a variety of physical symptoms such as shaking or a queasy stomach. In most cases, however, there is no physical threat. Pay attention to the signals of fear your body is emitting, and you will have time to address them. As you learn to take greater control of your fear, you will discover it can also be your friend. The chemicals released supercharge your body and give you more energy. The following techniques can help you control fear and anxiety, so you can approach your interview in a more relaxed manner.

Exercise

Most people experience a sense of well-being from exercise due to chemicals, especially endorphins, released by your pituitary gland at the base of your brain. Endorphins make you feel exhilarated and content. If you enjoy low-intensity exercise such as walking, finding time to do that the night or morning before the interview will help release tension and keep your mind and spirit focused.

Meditation

Clinical studies have documented both physical and mental health benefits of deep breathing and meditation. Meditation can help you stay calm and alert during the interview.

The 4-7-8 breathing exercise is a simple and quick four-step process that can be done anywhere. If you feel edgy the night before your interview, or your heart beats quickly in anticipation just outside of the interview room, put this 4-7-8 exercise into practice. Inhale quietly through your nose slowly to the count of four; then, follow these steps:

1. Hold your breath for a count of seven.
2. Exhale completely through your mouth to a count of eight.
3. Repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

Create Visualization

Chapter 5 introduced creative visualization. This simple but effective technique invites successful results by conjuring up positive, reinforcing images. Here is a visualization script that either you or a friend can record and play for a few days before your interview.

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Imagine yourself entering the interview room, shoulders straight, head held high. You greet your interviewer(s) with a firm handshake and take your seat. Maintaining an alert posture, you make eye contact and listen intently as the interviewer provides a short overview of the organization and job description.

The interviewer asks the first question, “Tell me more about your experience.” You make a respectful and thoughtful pause, avoiding any nervous gap, and answer in a calm, measured manner that is concise but fully developed. It includes important facts with a proud summary of your accomplishments. When the interviewer poses one of those tricky behavioral questions, you respond without hesitation. You move forward with the interview, almost like a dance, in a natural rhythm and pace with the interviewer.

When the Q&A session ends, the interviewer invites you to ask questions. What you say impresses the interviewer, as you make comments and ask questions that are relevant to the life of the company and show the organizational research you have performed The interviewer concludes by indicating continued interest in your candidacy and giving you a clear idea as to when a final decision will be made. You make a gracious exit in the knowledge that, whatever the outcome, you have given your best.

Naturally you don't have the power to bend the outcome to your will. But the unconscious is a powerful entity, and when you communicate with it harmoniously, what you imagine can unfold in surprising and positive ways.

Power Posing

Amy Cuddy, a psychologist, Harvard Business School professor, and author of Presence, has studied how body language affects the mind. Simply put, how we hold ourselves physically is a reflection of our self-image. Cuddy recommends striking “The Performer” pose before you arrive at the interview by throwing your hands in the air in a triumphant V and widening your stance. Hold this pose for two minutes. You can pose in the restroom of the company building or at home just before you head out for the interview.⁴

These techniques are designed to create relaxation and focus energy positively. Choose whatever approach makes the most sense to you, understanding that the intention is to fortify your mind and spirit so you can be your personal best at this important moment in your life.

The First Hurdle: The Screening Interview

Many companies and organizations now arrange for a member of human resources to conduct a screening interview. In smaller organizations and businesses, this will be conducted by a staff person, director, or even the CEO. The format is either a phone interaction or, in some cases, a video lasting about thirty minutes, with questions focused on work experience and qualifications. The purpose is to assess how you come across on the phone (or video, as the case may be), and therefore determine whether you are a strong enough candidate to bring in for a more formal, in-person interview.

The Phone Screening

A phone interview is generally not a favorite scenario for introverts, who prefer meeting face to face, where you can zoom in on nonverbal cues. However, despite what you may think, a phone interview can actually work in your favor. Remember that all your research and key information is right in front of you, ready at just the right moments. One golden phone interview rule: Follow your notes and not your fears.

Phone Interview Prep Tips

You won't pass “go” and collect the reward if you don't make a good impression on the phone. So to advance with flying colors, prepare for the phone screening with these basic tips.

Use a landline if possible to ensure the best reception.

Find a quiet room and make sure noisy pets, family, or other phone lines won't interrupt you.

Keep pen, paper, calendar, and a glass of water nearby.

Pull out the job description and your resume.

Have a list of related projects and accomplishments ready, and jot down any important points you want to make.

Prepare a short list of questions that demonstrate your knowledge about the organization and the job.

Tips to Land the In-Person Interview

Remember: This critical first round is your opportunity to pique your interviewers' interest. Using the following techniques will help you engage your interviewer and make them eager to learn more about you.

Consider standing up during the call to give you a sense of power and aid voice projection.

As the interviewer delivers their script, interject naturally with comments such as, “I understand,” or “That's interesting,” or “Very exciting!” This kind of reflective listening will signal that you are fully present and paying attention. This technique helps introverts who sometimes freeze up if they remain silent for too long.

To avoid rambling, limit answers to three minutes or less.

Use pacing techniques to bring up projects and other work-related examples that show your experiences match the company's needs mentioned by the interviewer.

In the natural flow of conversation, speak with enthusiasm about your work achievements and skills. Some nervousness is normal and can initially lead to short answers, but “yes” or “no” answers are never an option.

Close the interview with a simple, “Thanks for the opportunity to speak with you today,” and follow up with an equally simple thank-you note.

The Video Screening

Some hiring professionals now use one-way video interviews to conduct screening calls. The benefit to the company is that this type of interview is completely automated. It doesn't require the presence of an interviewer at all. Questions are posed to you via online video, and your answers are recorded. A peculiarity of this format, which can seem awkward, is that you have no one to respond to your answers, so there's no opportunity for dialogue back and forth. Instead, your video responses are reviewed by human resources and/or the hiring manager, and a determination is then made as to whether you will move to the in-person interview.

This style of interviewing can be unnerving because you have no audience. But prepare in a similar way you would for the phone interview; then during the interview, remember to take a gentle breath in between answers to maintain appropriate pacing and keep your anxiety at bay.

The Main Event: The In-Person Interview

All the practice and preparation in the world won't lead to success if you don't walk into the interview with confidence and a positive outlook; you'll find this approach will serve you well. We've discussed strategies for handling fears, so eliminate any baggage (beyond your interview kit) and put on an optimistic mindset.

You may be an introvert, but you are not a turtle hiding in his shell when it counts. Now is the time to stand up and let employers see who you really are. Even if you feel a disaster approaching, there is often a way out. We'll examine some common situations introverts face and how to solve them.

Also, recognize that your introversion can be an asset in the interview, so don't look for crutches to support yourself. Optimize the finer introvert's qualities at the interview by using your sharp listening skills to generate thoughtful answers to questions. You easily pick up subtleties like facial expressions and body language from your interviewer, so use these nonverbal cues to observe their perception of your answers (that is, whether your responses are sufficiently meeting their expectations). Introversion is also a plus because you tend not to ramble or go off in wild directions when answering questions, a quality that is highly appreciated by an interviewer. Even if your presentation style is not full of panache and dynamic flair, your creative, thoughtful, and observant mind can impress an employer. These positive facets of your personality, combined with your ability to work well independently and collaboratively, are all coveted skills and personal qualities valued in the workplace today. So embrace your nature and let your natural attributes shine in the interview.

Avoid Catastrophies

Interview structure and styles can vary. Some interviewers have a list of questions they ask each candidate they meet, while others prefer a more open and conversational approach. Even with practice and preparation, there is always a chance for something unexpected to happen during the interview. However, “unexpected” does not have to spell “disaster.” You can still stay serenely afloat and drift gently with the stream no matter how it detours and meanders. Look at the following scenarios and take note of how you can avoid an interview catastrophy.

Speaking too quickly? Maintain pace and rhythm: Even though introverts tend to think before they speak, you may tend to talk a bit too fast when thrown into a challenging situation. Look for early warning signs of nervousness during which you stumble over words and overcompensate by speeding up the tempo of your conversation. As soon as this begins, take a deep breath to slow your pace. Don't let pauses add to your anxiety, and avoid the temptation to jump in with comments that are simply filler. Pauses are a normal component of music and a natural process in talking. A break in conversation provides a constructive space for processing what has been exchanged and for refocusing the topic.

Baffled by a question? Stall for time: Don't lose your cool if you simply don't know the answer to a question during the interview. Let your body language and verbal response show that you are composed when asked what seems like a question in a foreign language. You may be able to take a stab at the answer if you think additional time will help. You can stall for time by asking the interviewer for clarification on the question. The interviewer may suggest which way to go, or invite you to consider different scenarios. In this process, you gain some time to collect your thoughts and form a cogent answer.

Totally stumped? Just be honest: Occasionally, you might get a question that comes completely out of the blue. If you are totally stumped by the question, it's best to be honest and respond with something like, “That's an interesting question, but to be completely candid, I can't give a response that would do it justice just at the moment.” Any interviewer will sense if your answer is coming from out of left field. Your attempts to cover up a gap in knowledge will only embarrass you. And being straightforward may actually earn you respect. Naturally, you don't want to do this more than once in an interview, but if the general Q&A has been going swimmingly, one belly flop will not be fatal.

Facing a stressful question? It's how you handle it that counts: Some interviewers will ask what seems like a trick question or even challenge your answer. I once interviewed for a university position, which included lunch with three deans. From the moment I sat down, I was tested by questions on the value of career development in higher education. Instead of letting it turn into an intimidating experience, I gradually relaxed and treated it as a debate. I was so involved in the discussion that I never got to finish my lunch, but I did get the job.

Questions designed to put you on the spot are not meant to elicit a right or wrong response. Much more important than your answer is the way you field the question. You are being tested on whether you handle stressful situations with grace and clear thought, or whether you become unhinged.

Different Interview Formats

Not only can interview structure and style vary, but the format can differ as well. Understand that interviews are not restricted to short and intense Q&A sessions—an interview may be scheduled over lunch, stretch across an entire day, or even take place over real-time video. Each has its own challenges, so you'll want to be prepared for the situation at hand.

The Full-Day Interview

The emotional stamina and the mental work out of a marathon interview schedule can be trying for anyone, but particularly for an introvert accustomed to quiet time alone to process and reflect after social interactions. You can manage and be enlivened by the glare of the spotlight for reasonably short periods, but the need to be “on” for four to six hours continuously can deplete an introvert's energy. If you feel yourself wilting, find a strategic time to recharge. After you have survived about two hours of interviewing, ask to use the restroom before you move on to the next person on the interview schedule. Use this short break to keep your mind from spinning and to recharge the spirit. Take some slow deep breaths, and don't forget to strike that victory pose (or use any ritual that helps restore your energy).

The Lunch Interview

Prepare some small talk in advance if lunch is part of the interview schedule. This is one situation in which you won't be able to deflect much attention away from yourself. Although it is perfectly acceptable for you to ask questions, keep in mind the main point of this social exchange is for the interviewer or staff group to get to know you personally. In addition to work-related conversation, this is an opportunity to talk about interests or hobbies that give you fulfillment outside of work. These can spark curiosity and open the path to a very engaging and lively conversation with your interviewers. Along with displaying that there is more to you than meets the eye, and that you are a person of dimension, the conversation may bring out that you share something in common with one of the interviewers. A common connection can often boost your chances of getting the job.

The Video Interview

This style of interviewing is face to face by way of a camera. Prepare for the interview as if it is in person, but take the following extra steps as well.

Select a room in your house or office that's uncluttered and has a professional appearance.

Do a trial run and check all equipment, especially sound, well in advance of the interview.

Dress as if you were meeting the interviewer in person.

Watch out for tensional outlets, such as tapping a pen, shuffling papers, and clearing the throat. The microphone will not cancel out these distractions, but magnify them instead.

Don't get distracted by the appearance of your image on the screen; instead, make eye contact with the interviewer.

The Second Interview

Interviewing is a protracted journey these days. If you performed well during the first in-person or video interview, it's not always enough to secure the job. An employer may ask you to come in for a second interview and sometimes a third to meet more staff or ask you additional questions. The request for a second meeting is good news; it means you sold yourself well on the initial interview and are being taken seriously as a candidate. To prepare, you still want to do a normal review, but you should turn equal attention to what you learned during the first interview.

The second time around is a ripe opportunity to generate ideas and engage in more detailed conversation with the prospective employer. Use your reflective and creative introverted energy to suggest ways that could help the employer solve a problem, expand services, improve a website, or create novel marketing strategies. You will also want to plan questions that help you move a step forward in your understanding of the organization's vision and expectations of the job.

The Aftermath

The Recap

After the intense experience of the interview, you may need some quiet, solitary time. Avoid using this time to rewind, examine under a microscope, and overly critique every detail of what you did, what you said, and how you acted. You did your best, and it's time to let go of what you can't control, so give yourself a chance to detach and reenergize.

Later, spend some time recapping your interview performance. As you replay, begin with the parts of the interview that flowed well and made you feel optimistic. Assess your mistakes and identify how you can improve the next time around. Almost everyone has an interview horror story, so if it was a bad experience, see what you can learn from it and move on. Your life is a novel, and this is just one chapter.

The Thank-You Note

Before leaving the interview, request a business card from each of the participants. This ensures that you have the correct spelling of their names and titles for any further correspondence or contact. Send a short thank-you note soon after the interview, expressing appreciation for the interviewer's time, confirming your interest in the position, highlighting something you learned in the interview, and showing how your skills and background are an ideal match for the job. Send by email or, if you prefer to write a hardcopy letter or card, snail mail is a good option.

The Verdict

Since you prepared judiciously and gave your all, you deserve to know the final decision. Your interviewer may indicate an intention to make a final decision by the end of the week, but if you don't hear anything on the exact date given, avoid making assumptions of disaster. Interviewers are busy people with project deadlines and operational crises, and a delay in notifying you does not necessarily mean you didn't get the job. However, this is not the time to be a quiet and reserved introvert. A few days after the date you expected to hear something, send a brief email to the hiring manager or HR contact to inquire about the status of the position. You will not be viewed as a pest but an interested candidate. If the position has been offered to someone else, express appreciation for the opportunity to interview and your desire for them to keep you in mind for any future openings. As always, don't burn bridges that might lead to potential opportunities in the future.