I received the following email from a mentee this morning (below). He had had an important interview yesterday. I was amazed at how well suited he was for the position after reading the job description. He exemplified all the requirements, with at least 20 years of in-depth experience.
I have posted his letter to highlight one of the key strategies for successful interviewing.
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Hi Bruce,
You know one of the real benefits of the research informational interviewing technique: Is that it keeps you razor sharp and ready to pounce on a job opportunity when it presents itself.
Thanks for keeping me on that track.
BMJ
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Managing a research/information meeting is an art. There is the introduction, request, the development of questions that are specific each meeting. It is also important to understand the anatomy of a well run meeting including the closing question, and the follow up; the next day, and the following weeks.
(Practising interviews – Mentoring program in 2011 fall, Ottawa)
The biggest mistake and this always comes to light during our debriefings, is when a candidate asks for a job. That one question firmly closes the door to most if not all future relationships with the individual being interviewed.
If I met you for the first time and I asked you for a job, or even if you knew of one, what might you say to me?
