Making the Personal Connection for A Successful Interview

Having impressive qualifications is only one aspect of job interviewing. Its equally important that those who interview you actually like you and feel a personal connection. MedZilla asks some of the experts how candidates can differentiate themselves in ways other than accomplishments and qualifications. This article offers suggestions about how to interview as the outstanding candidate, the first choice for the job.

Marysville, WA (PRWEB) February 20, 2004--To be successful, you need more than just the right credentials -- you also need to stand out from the crowd as being the best person for the job.

Being outstanding in the interview process is more a process of connecting than being different," says Frank Heasley, PhD, president and CEO of MedZilla.com, a leading Internet recruitment and professional community that serves biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and science. A good question to ask yourself when you're planning for an interview is, 'What can I do to make this interview enjoyable for everyone?"

Making a positive impressions

Its one thing to be impressed with a candidate; its another to like" the person. Developing rapport with the interviewer is the key, says Joe Takash, president of Victory Consulting in Chicago. Takash, a corporate coach, consultant, trainer and speaker who works with Fortune 500 companies, says the first step in building rapport is to demonstrate your interest in the company and person you are about to interview with. Its human nature to be more interested in those interested in us," he says.

Make it a point to learn about the company, as well as the interviewers. If you cant find out what is important personally and professionally to an interviewer beforehand, try to discover how that person works when you arrive for the appointment. For example, look at photos, plaques and other hints that might be displayed in the office. Open the interview by asking a few questions about the interviewer, such as, How long have you been with the company?" or What do you like most about working here?" By establishing common ground, you plant seeds of trust, Takash says.

Be your natural self

You might have impeccable credentials, but if you cant shake the interviewers hand and look him squarely in the eye at the same time, youre sunk. Takash uses the S.H.E. Principle: Smile! Handshake! Eye contact! These simple gestures can help to establish either an immediate connection. Or, if you omit them, a disconnect.

Your smile, Takash says, must be sincere. Extend your hand for a warm but firm handshake and make direct, friendly eye contact. The overriding element in all these is warmth," Takash says. We tend to turn into professional robots once we get into the corporate world. With a warm handshake, you let the other person know, 'Im a good person and I value you. And you say that without uttering a word."

Laundry lists of accomplishments might brand you as boring or conceited. Instead, draw on your interest about the employer and point out things you offer that would benefit the company. Speak in output, not input," Takash says.

Qualifications are important, but so is presentation, says Anthony Mora, president of Anthony Mora Communications, Los Angeles, and author of Spin to Win (Hawk Publishing). Presentation is a package of qualities, Mora says-from how you dress to whether you can speak the language of the industry. The key is to be able to communicate comfortably in the verbiage of the industry without going overboard (which could backfire).

Start the interview on a positive note

Learn to introduce yourself in 30 seconds or less, Mora says. People tend to have short attention spans -- they're looking for the summary view first. Interviewers tend to make decisions in the first few minutes, according to Mora, so you need to seize the opportunity of the first 30-seconds to summarize what is important to the employer with a warm, human presentation style.

End with a note -- literally

Send the interviewer a handwritten note immediately after the interview. Make specific reference to something memorable that occurred or was said during the interview. The gesture reinforces your sincere interest, personal approach and warmth, according to Groutage.

Being the most likeable person for the job shouldnt take away from your professional presentation. Rather, it enhances it, proving that not only are you qualified, but people will like working with you," Groutage says.

About MedZilla.com

Established in mid 1994, MedZilla is the original web site to serve career and hiring needs for professionals and employers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medicine, science and healthcare. MedZilla databases contain about 10,000 open positions, 13,000 resumes from candidates actively seeking new positions and 71,000 archived resumes.

Medzilla® is a Registered Trademark owned by Medzilla Inc. Copyright ©2004, MedZilla, Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce and distribute this text in its entirety, and if electronically, with a link to the URL www.medzilla.com. For permission to quote from or reproduce any portion of this message, please contact Michele Groutage, Director of Marketing and Development, MedZilla, Inc. Email: mgroutage@medzilla.com.

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Contact: Michele Groutage

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