Interviewing Strategies

[James Barrow]

>Greg Holmes said:
>>James Barrow wrote:
>>
>>Also, as previously posted, I have never, EVER, asked an interviewer "Can
>>I have the job?"  That, to me, is just too forward.
>
>Same here - to me, there's a difference between "show enthusiasm for the
>job" (which is perhaps what all the advice gurus actually mean by this?)
>and "ask for the job like a cookie".  

Oh my...anyone here who's a fan of Family Guy is probably laughing
hysterically.

>Also, it seemed too formulaic - after all, both I and the interviewer knew
>that they weren't (at least officially) going to make the decision on the
>spot.

Of all the interviews that I've had, I think I've been given a job on the
spot only once.

>What I *have* said, instead (when it was true), was something like "I've
>enjoyed meeting everybody, and this seems like a great place to work.  I'd
>definitely like to join your team! When do you expect to make a decision?"
>(Of course, this is after the long discussion of just how perfect the team
>and I are for each other ;) )

Hehe...this is actually something that I typically work into an interview.
Once we've covered all of the necessaries, I typically lighten the tone by
providing a brief anecdote that shows I've worked for companies that have
experienced the same problem that the interviewer's company is experiencing.
Usually this starts with me saying, "I know exactly what you mean.  When I
was at [name of company]..."  This allows me to show that I do indeed
understand their need/requirement, how I provided a solution, and how I
worked with others to arrive at that solution. 

>This seems to have worked out well, and sounded less ignorant or formulaic
>to me than "asking for the job" as though it could be awarded right then
>and there...

Agreed.  I've interviewed with people who were almost sullen, and asking if
I could have the job just seemed completely inappropriate.  But on the other
hand, I've interviewed with people who were perkier than Mouseketeers, and I
had no problem saying something like "So, what do you think?"

>Of course some of this may be personality-dependent. Maybe some folks could
>pull off "so when do I start" or "can I have the job?"  Me, I would feel
>(and therefore look) awkward.

I couldn't agree more.  As I'm typing this, I'm thinking of colleagues who
are the poster-children for charisma and charm.  I've seen these people work
a JAD session like a politician works a room, and I have no doubt that they
ace every interview they're involved in.  For me, interviews have always
been a very structured, formal event.

- Jim