A meal interview can be tricky in that
your potential employer will likely loosen
up and speak to you more informally. It’s
certainly okay to talk about your favorite
football team or your family, but be sure
to still speak professionally. Don’t go
off on a rant or delve too deeply into
personal issues. Also, as a courtesy, be
sure to ask questions in turn of your
interviewer.
The best way, however, to go
about a meal interview is to focus your
discussion on the company you’re
interviewing for. Take this opportunity
to learn more details that you can utilize
for your next interview. Go deep into the
features of a new product that’s being
released, the company’s culture, and the
different aspects about the position that
you could potentially fill. In a way, the
meal interview is like a cheat sheet for
you to go about your next interview(s).
Aside from discussion, be sure to
display your best table manners. Be
polite to your wait staff, use your
silverware and napkin, don’t order the
most expensive thing on the menu, don’t
eat until each person at your table has
their food, and let your interviewer get
the check if they offer to do so.
THE PANEL INTERVIEW
The panel interview, where a candidate
interviews for three or more company
executives and HR staff members, is a
common but terrifying interview form.
To feel more comfortable, try to find
out as much about your interviewers as
you can. Ask your hiring manager if they
can provide you with names. If this is
not possible, do research on your own
or ask them about their roles within the
organization when you arrive. This is key,
because each interviewer will likely view
you through different lenses. You’ll want
to sculpt your answers to appeal to each
but still engage the entire group.
You may go into a panel interview
treating it as though it were a one-on-
one, which is all right, as it will put you
at ease, but be sure to give each person
the same attention you would give a
single interviewer. Introduce yourself
to each interviewer when you arrive and
thank each interviewer when you leave.
However, when it comes to eye contact,
slightly different rules apply.
“Make sure that you are making eye
contact with everyone, but whoever asks
the question, make sure you are focusing
on that person,” Scott suggested.
While panel interviews may seem
intimidating, take heart in knowing that
your panelists understand.
“There’s always that one person that
will smile at you and let you know that
it’s okay,” Wagoner said.
THE SERIES INTERVIEW
The arguably most difficult thing about
series interviews is how grueling they
can be. While many candidates only
experience a single hour-long interview,
series interviews can last all day and
exhaust a candidate. Though you will
likely be speaking with several different
people, an important thing to
remember is to not repeat the same
answers throughout every interview.
Scott suggests preparing enough content
and background so that you are able
to portray an in-depth, well-rounded
presentation of yourself.
“We focus on our core competencies,
but if you’ve only given one example of
leadership, you’ve missed out on four
different examples of leadership you
could have shared,” Scott said. “Make
sure you’re coming to the table with
many examples and stories.”
The advantage to series interviews
is that, while they may be tiring, there is
room to redeem yourself if one doesn’t
go so well.
“Sometimes that first interview is
not your best interview,” Scott said.
“Candidates usually get better as the day
goes on and their confidence increases.
Build on your first and second interview
and come up with different answers. The
biggest thing is attitude.”
No matter what types of interviews
you may encounter during your
professional career, the key to success is
indeed attitude. Go into your interviews
as professionally and polished as you can
with your best foot forward, and you will
know that you have done your best.
“Candidates should always be honest but
I wouldn’t tell the company you are
interviewing with that they are your
‘second choice.’ Meaning, ‘if company
XYZ makes me an offer, I am going
with them. If not, I would be happy to
work for your company.’ I have heard
this a couple of times and it always
surprises me.”
“Tell me what you know about us. It
makes me question how bad you want
this job if you didn’t do your homework.
Research the company and prepare good
questions. Plus, it will help you feel more
informed, so you won’t be so nervous.”
“At the end of the interview, I give
candidates the opportunity to ask
questions. I’m always impressed when a
candidate asks, ‘Is there anything I can go
back to, to show you that I’m a good
candidate for this job?’ Make a point to
recap your strengths. It shows how
passionate you are about the opportunity.”
Erin Wagoner
The Maschhoffs
Angela Scott
Tyson Foods
Timothy Mote
Kraft Heinz Company
practical advice from the pros
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