With so many shifts in the job market, it's great to know ways you can stand out from the crowd. That is what Laura Browne and Barbara Limmer share in their new book INTERVIEW SPEAK.
This is more than a guide of what to say. It's a mindset shift in the way you approach an interview, listen and focus so that you can make yourself memorable.
I spoke with Laura about the book's message, what she hopes readers take away from it and how LinkedIn can be a valuable tool.
1.
Laura, the message of the book INTERVIEW SPEAK
is so timely. What has it been like for your co-author Barbara and you to see
the response to it?
It’s been really wonderful. We started working on the book together more than 3 years ago and the job market was very different then. We’re so excited to hear how this book has made it easier for people to have great interviews and get jobs.
In the book we have a character we call Clueless Clark – he makes a lot of mistakes and we talk about how to avoid those mistakes. A reader said that he had been Clueless Clark until he read the book. He changed what he was doing and got a new job. That was great feedback!
2.
The job market has changed so much over the past
decade. How has the way employees decide in the interview process who is the
best fit evolved in that time?
Yes, things have changed. In most cases, a
real person doesn’t look at all the resumes because they have systems that weed
out most of the candidates. And some interviews are just video recordings that
potential employers review later. What hasn’t changed is that interviewers want
to know 3 things. First, they want to know that you can do the job. Second,
they want to know if you’re really motivated and excited to do THIS specific
job. Third, they want to know that you will fit in well with their culture. That’s
what you need to focus on.
3.
I know from our interview on Conversations LIVE
that Barbara and you have been friends for some time. How did the idea for the
book come about?
Yes, we’ve been friends for many years and
we both have a lot of experience in interviewing. A few years ago we were
talking about it and said we wished that candidates knew some of this
information because it would make it easier for them and the companies. I told
Barbara that I thought it was a great book idea. She agreed but said she was
not going to write a book. I kept bringing it up and I think I finally wore her
down because one day she came to me and said she was interested in writing the
book together so we did it.
4.
One of the things I enjoyed about INTERVIEW SPEAK is that it helps the interviewee to get a sense of what they should be prepared to share not just about their work history but what they have learned and contributed to their previous employment. Why is that important for them to consider when answering questions?
Potential employers want to know that you
will be a good fit now and in the future. It’s important to show what you
learned in the past so they believe you will learn and contribute at the job
you’re applying for.
5.
The other thing that you do in the book is
remind us that not all interviewers are created equally. How should the
interviewee use that information when approaching an interview?
It’s important to be prepared and flexible
since you never know who you’re going to be talking to. Each interviewer may
approach the questions a little differently. We talk about how important it is
to really hear the whole question and not just the beginning of the question.
If you’re not sure what the interviewer wants, you can ask them to clarify.
6.
Laura, stepping back from the book for a moment,
you and I connected on LinkedIn. I was curious how you think our audience
should think about that platform now when it comes to not just looking for
opportunities but building their own platform and audience.
I love LinkedIn, and one of the reasons I do
is that it is a wonderful place to connect with people. I suggest that even if
you’re not looking for a job right now, you should start connecting with people
you know and build your network BEFORE you need it. These are the people who
can help you when you do decide it’s time to make a job change.
7.
What is your hope when it comes to how INTERVIEW
SPEAK can be used and become a resource?
My hope is that many more people get this
information and use it to get the job they want. Right now, it can take a lot
of time to actually get interviews and when people do get them, I want them to have
the best interviews possible.
8.
Thank you for your time, Laura. How can our
readers stay connected with you and get their copy of the book?
Thank you, Cyrus! Please have your readers
connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurabrowne/
They can also find me at www.CareerCoffeeBreak.com where I
offer online training classes on How To Get A Raise and How To Get A Higher
Starting Salary at A New Job. They can also send me a message at laura@careercoffeebreak.com.
My publisher, Manning Publications, offers
your listeners 45% off Interview Speak, any format, by going to https://hubs.la/Q03BFL3m0
or manning.com and
using discount code: LIVElimmer
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