Many candidates go into a job interview with no strategy at all. Some have no idea how to prepare. Others think, “They’re asking me questions about myself — of course I know the answers. Easy peasy!”
Nope! Having a strategy for your interview will not only enable you to show yourself in the best possible light, it’ll also set you apart from your competition.
Strategies and frameworks are crucial for interviews, because they free up brain space and allow you to be more present in the room. This, in turn, enables you to better read social cues, listen to questions, and respond fully.
Today I’m going to teach you an easy framework that will help you prepare to knock their socks off at your next interview. It’s called Who-What-Win!
Who
Do your research about WHO is interviewing you.
Learn everything about the company: what’s important to them, what’s happening in their industry. What matters most to them?
When you’re invited to an interview, ask what you might expect in terms of interview length and format (one-on-one, panel style, etc.). Also ask who might be interviewing you.
If you’re given names, figure out where they sit in the company. If folks in your network have connections at the company, ask around for any information about your interviewer. Then check their LinkedIn profile – you may find some useful information that will help you make a connection.
Many candidates say the same things in every interview or don’t know what to say at all. When you begin to consider your audience, you can showcase different aspects of your strengths and experience to appeal to them in a relevant, and therefore much more compelling, manner.
What
WHAT problem is the company trying to solve by filling this position?
Start with the job description – print it out and pore over it with a highlighter! Drill down to determine what their top three priorities are for the position in terms of experience, skills, and culture.
Then, branch out beyond the job description and try to extrapolate the problems the team and company might be trying to solve within their organization and their industry.
Put on your job interviewer hat and ask yourself, If I were filling this position, what information would I need from each candidate to make the best possible decision?
Win!
Now WIN! Once you’ve assessed your target’s priorities, consider all of your own experience, education, skills and strengths. Which of these line up with your Who and What? Plan to highlight these during your interview.
You may have had some cool job experiences that are irrelevant to your target employer; be willing to leave them out of the discussion so you can focus on the information that’s most applicable.
Prioritize your experience, qualifications and skills in such a way that you’re speaking to what’s most important to the company and position in question.
Use the Who-What-Win! strategy in your next interview and prepare to amaze!