Interview Tips: What Your Interviewer Wants You to Know

As an attorney at a small firm, I wear many hats. This includes helping the firm with its recruiting efforts by interviewing tons of candidates,  from interns to associates. From that experience, I've gained valuable insights into why so many applicants never land their dream job, whether in law or any other field. In this article, I share the shockingly common mistakes I've seen in the hopes that you can avoid doing them in the future. Let's dig in.

"So Tell Me About Yourself" 

Out of all the most-frequently asked interview questions, this is the one candidates tend to struggle with the most (it's up there with "identify some of your weaknesses"). Because this question is so open-ended, candidates often spill their guts by either regurgitating every single detail from their resume or disclosing silly fun facts that bring little value to the interviewer's assessment of their capabilities or personality. From my perspective, if you're being asked this question it means one of two things: 1) the interviewer had little time to read your resume (or does not recall it) and is fishing for something interesting in your response that will help structure the rest of the interview OR 2) the interviewer read your resume but is hoping to learn something about you in your own words that they can connect with on a personal level- something beyond your qualifications that will reveal where your passion lies, what drives you to get up in the morning, a personal life experience that has shaped your vision of the future, or perhaps a personality trait that sets you apart. Ideally, your answer will arouse your interviewer's curiosity and leave them with the feeling that you're far from ordinary. You'll know that your answer landed well if your interviewer follows up with specific questions or commentary that have nothing to do with where you went to school, or the responsibilities you held at your last job (although these are all important factors that the interviewer will likely delve into later on). Your answer to “tell me about yourself” can include brief details about your educational or work background, but these should not form the core of your answer. Many candidates focus heavily on these factors and by doing so they portray themselves as one-dimensional and miss out on a crucial opportunity to distinguish themselves from the flock. An effective answer would instead focus on your passions and how they relate to the position you’re applying for. 

"Why Do You Want To Work Here" 

This one isn't the hardest question of the bunch, but you'd be surprised at how many people get it wrong. Most people formulate their answer along the lines of "I want to work here because I have the experience you're looking for and I find the job interesting", or "I've always had an interest in pursuing... and I think this position is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience in it." Both of these answers are brutally honest and simple. The reason they don't help in landing you your dream job is because often (though not always) employers look for more than just a “qualified” employee and they would rather avoid hiring someone who wants a job to add more experience under their belt. What your interviewer really wants to hear is that you want to work for them because you have a strong desire to contribute to whatever they’re building or identify with their mission, vision or culture. To come up with a meaningful answer, you should be able to demonstrate that you have a genuine interest in the position. You should also do some research into what the employer's mission is and perhaps read a bit about their history.  If the employer's website provides an overly generic mission statement or none at all, you should try to connect with a current or former employee and get some insight from them about what the work culture is really like.

Finally, remember that an employer wants you to contribute to what they are building and is likely not  interested in just giving you experience for you to take elsewhere (unless you're some kind of an unpaid extern!). Tell them what you can do for them, not what they can do for you.

"Why Are You a Good Fit"

Building on the last section, when answering this question, you should refrain from just generically stating that you're a good fit because you've held similar jobs in the past and have the right experience. Instead, you should convey your passion for the position or field and discuss any specific skills you possess that will allow you to make an immediate impact if hired (for instance, personality traits or work experience that can help improve the employer's business or solve an issue they’re facing). Remember, so many people go from job to job, building on prior experience without being a good fit for any of it, or without being truly passionate about what they do (and at times, even hating their job!).  What makes you an excellent fit for a position should be far more than your prior work experience (although it is relevant).

"Where do You See Yourself in 10 Years" 

This one isn't as common as the other three, but it’s worth getting into. This can be a hard question for people who aren't really thinking that far ahead into their future or are unsure about their best career path moving forward. Many people disclose that they're open to exploring several options, some of which may or may not align with the position they're applying for. Now, to their credit, these answers are certainly honest, and honesty is a positive attribute that interviewers tend to appreciate. However, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that when interviewers ask this question, they are hoping to hear that you would love to work in the industry you're currently applying in, in the same or similar work environment and desire to hold a more senior position. That's an ideal answer which may demonstrate that you're not  just applying to make a quick buck and could potentially grow with the company you’re interviewing with. That may be difficult (or laughable) if the position you're applying for isn't your dream job or if you are in fact just applying because you need the money (hey, no judgment here). If it provides you with any comfort,  many interviewers will be skeptical whenever they get the ideal (let’s call it "model") answer I just provided. But they may ask you that question anyway, just to assess your body language as you respond.  If you give them the ideal answer, and they find it believable and compelling, this may be a huge plus in your favor. If it's obvious that you're lying, it will hurt your chances at securing the position. If your honest answer is that you see yourself dabbling in a number of widely different fields, your interviewer may get a sense that you're indecisive about your life goals and that may work against you. If you're thinking that this sounds like a catch-22, I hear you.  I suggest you stick to the truth no matter what. If you're super unsure about what you want to do in 10 years but at least one of the fields that you want to pursue is somewhat related to the field you're interviewing in, make sure to highlight the similarities between the two fields and how experience in one field enhances your ability to make an impact in the other. 

By the way, in case you didn't notice, this question is really a variation of "what is your ideal job," and the same advice applies.

FINAL TAKEAWAYS

Now that we got some of the common blunders out of the way, I want to leave you with a short list of do’s and don'ts to help guide you through your next interview:

1. Don't look down at your notes during the interview

Your interviewer WILL notice if you look down at your notes or even read off your screen, no matter how inconspicuous you think it is. Doing either of these things during the interview will convey to your interviewer that you’re unprepared. Rehearse or memorize whatever it is that you don’t want to forget instead of reading your notes during the interview.

2. Be concise when discussing your work experience. Don’t ramble

You’re less likely to ramble if you take the time to thoroughly review your resume beforehand. 

3. Don't go on tangents to fill up the silence in the room

You’re more likely to go on tangents when your answer is disorganized. Hence the importance of thinking through answers to commonly asked questions prior to the interview. 

4. Don't give the impression that you're overly shy, reserved or have low energy.

   You want to command the room, and yes, come off as confident without sounding snotty.

5. Don't tell your interviewer that you're open to anything or any field

As discussed above (see “where do you see yourself in 10 years”), telling your interviewer that you’re open to any field or a large number of fields or types of positions may signal that you’re indecisive about what you want in life. Narrow down your interest as best as you can.

6. Don't ask about salary or benefits in the first round of interviews

The prospective employer may find it off-putting (sorry Gen-Z!). If the employer does not post the salary in the job description, wait until you make it to the last round of interview to ask about salary or benefits. 

7. Don’t ask sensitive questions to your interviewer

If you have questions for your interviewer at the end of your meeting, keep it short and avoid sensitive or controversial topics. While your interviewer will appreciate thoughtful questions that reveal your curiosity about the position or even their career path, don’t go overboard.

Finally, I think it’s worth mentioning that even when you follow these tips, you may not land the job. Believe me when I say that sometimes it's really, actually not about you. At times, certain dynamics behind the scenes may lead a prospective employer to recalibrate and shift its perspective on the kind of candidate it wants to hire based on its needs (for instance, an employer may have been open to inexperienced candidates when it posted the position but decides down the road that a seasoned candidate would be a better fit, or it could be that the employer unexpectedly faces pressing matters that make hiring inappropriate at the present time). Whatever it is, don’t take a rejection personally. No matter the result of your job search, just keep pushing and stay positive!

P.S.- Have you tried any of these interview tips? If so, leave us a comment! Finally, keep an eye out for more job interview questions & answers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michele is an aspiring writer who enjoys speaking about personal growth, career development and social issues. When she's not writing for Laptop and a Pen, she handles legal matters as an attorney for startups and emerging companies. Other than her passions for writing and the law, Michele enjoys attending performative arts and traveling.