What is the golden rule in an interview?

The Golden Rule of Interviewing: It’s Not What You Think

We all know the golden rule: treat others how you want to be treated. But in the context of an interview, the true golden rule goes beyond simple courtesy. It’s about understanding the interviewer’s needs and tailoring your approach to meet them.

Think of an interview as a dance. You’re not just trying to impress, you’re trying to establish a connection that showcases your potential contribution to the company. To do this effectively, you must first understand the interviewer’s perspective.

Here’s how to break down the “golden rule” of interviewing:

1. Research and Preparation:

• The Company: Dive deep into the company’s mission, values, recent news, and industry trends. Understand their challenges and where your skills can fit in.
• The Role: Carefully analyze the job description and identify the essential skills and experience they seek.
• The Interviewer: If possible, research the interviewer’s background and professional experience. This will help you tailor your answers to their expertise and interests.

2. Active Engagement:

• Listen: Pay close attention to the interviewer’s questions and engage in genuine, thoughtful responses.
• Ask Questions: Prepare insightful questions about the company, the role, and the interviewer’s experience. This demonstrates your curiosity and genuine interest.
• Be Enthusiastic: Share your passion for the role and your eagerness to contribute to the team.

3. Showcase Value:

• Focus on your transferable skills: Highlight how your experiences, even from seemingly unrelated fields, translate to the specific needs of this role.
• Quantify your achievements: Don’t just state accomplishments, provide concrete examples and metrics that demonstrate your impact.
• Connect your skills to the company’s goals: Explain how your contributions will directly benefit the company’s mission and vision.

4. Conclusion and Follow-Up:

• Express Gratitude: Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.
• Reinforce Your Interest: Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to the company’s success.
• Follow Up Promptly: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, summarizing your conversation and reiterating your interest.

The Golden Rule in action:

Instead of simply reciting your resume, you are actively building a dialogue with the interviewer. You demonstrate your understanding of their needs and showcase how your skills and experience can solve their problems and drive their success. This is the essence of the true golden rule in interviewing: put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes, and you’ll shine.