All the research you have done will not prepare you for the kind of job description the interviewer provides when you get to the interview. You should leave your first interview with a clearer idea of what the particular job entails and how it fits into the department and company goals and mission.
If you prepared questions to ask the interviewer, you may ask whether you may take notes to record responses and comments made during the interview. After the interview, you may incorporate these notes into your Company Fact Sheet so that all pertinent information is in one place.
After this first interview, both you and the interviewer have a better idea of the match between your experience and skills with the expectations for the job that was described in the interview. You may be convinced that you are perfect for the job, but the interviewer may have reservations and other candidates to interview. One of your jobs is to keep the door open for further discussions.
If you think the interviewer may have reservations about your experience and skills for the job, you might ask if you may take a proposal or assignment with you to demonstrate your ability to handle specific elements in the job description.
Getting a call back for a second interview
One of your goals in the first interview is to be invited to return for a second interview. As you conclude the first interview try to clarify the next steps. Ask the interviewer what kind of timeline the company has to fill the particular position. If you're asked to complete an assignment, be clear about when you are expected to have it completed and how you're to notify the interviewer.
Give the interviewer a reason to get back in touch with you. You might mention an informative article you read about the industry and offer to send a copy to the interviewer. Offer to develop a proposal for the company that deals with the type of assignment that you might be given if you were hired. Volunteer to work with somebody in the company who is struggling to meet a deadline while understaffed. Suggest that you work as a consultant for a limited period of time if that kind of arrangement is appropriate.
You're more likely to get a second interview if you give the interviewer a reason to get back to you because you are sending something or doing something that is perceived as a benefit.
Getting feedback
Have a strategy in place for getting feedback after your first interview. Your strategy might Include sending a thank-you note within a day or two of the interview with the suggestion that you would like to talk with the interviewer to get some feedback on the interview process.
If the period of time specified by the interviewer passes without your hearing from the company, try calling the interviewer. Sometimes decisions are delayed, and reasons appear for not getting back to the job candidates. Ask if he or she can give you some feedback on your interview so that you can learn for the future. Most interviewers do not refuse that request, especially if you say that you have three questions. This limits the amount of time spent on this type of feedback session and takes pressure off the interviewer to defend the company's choice. He or she can be of some assistance to you even though the information you receive is not directly related to the position for which you interviewed.
Your feedback questions might include
- How might I improve the general impression I make when I come to an interview?
- What might I do to improve my background or skills to make me more suitable for this type of position? (Name the job for which you interviewed.)
- Do you know someone inside or outside the company who might be interested in talking to me about my background and skills?
Armed with these suggestions, your first interview will be a winning situation for you. Good luck.