How to impress in an interview....

I have hired many staff into a diverse set of national and regional roles based in a variety of countries over the past 16 years. There are many tricks and tips out there on how to make a good impression on a hiring manager, but here are 6 principles for interviewing well that I have personally come to value:

1. Be concise - I love it when a candidate is able to respond to questions with clear and concise answers. Rambling on, saying in 100 or 200 words what can be said in 50, is the surest way to make a bad impression. Say less, and leave me wanting more.

2. Be focused - There is a well-known quote from Tolkien: "Not all who wander are lost." This does not apply in a job interview. That you are wandering with the hope of eventually stumbling across the right answer is obvious to the interviewer, and it is not helpful for you. Better to pause, reflect and confirm the question (giving yourself some space to think), and then begin your concise and focused answer. Just starting to talk and hoping it will end in a good place, will rarely end well.

3. Be real - displaying your mastery of jargon and theory will not impress me much - in fact, it could have the opposite effect. If, however, you can ground your mastery in real situations from your real experience, that will surely leave a positive impression. (And please do remember points #1 & #2)

4. Be responsive to what is asked - If I ask for one example, don't give me three...especially if the first one is not concise and focused. Better to pause and ask if another example would be welcomed. Chances are, if your first example was crisp and compelling, I will be keen to listen to another.

5. Be prepared - it seems obvious, but I am surprised how often candidates have not taken the time to go to our website, do some basic research, and come anticipating the issues. A great way to impress me is to come with ideas and solutions that support my own deliverables and the strategic needs of the organization.

6. Be self-aware - Confidence is definitely an asset in any interview situation, but everyone has room to grow. I want people on my team who want to learn, who welcome feedback, who realize they need to depend on others to succeed. Confidence tempered by humility and accompanied by a genuine orientation toward learning paints a very appealing picture, at least for this hiring manager.

Be concise, be focused, be real, be responsive, be prepared, be self-aware. If you can draw on your expertise and experience to demonstrate how you will add value while keeping these 6 principles in mind, you will be sure to leave a very positive impression indeed.