Forums

Hi people,

i am a german mid-experienced manager (engineer) currently looking for another job. My current company has changed a lot and so did my job - but not the way i like it.

So, i am arriving at the end of a 2,5 months interviewing series that was supported strongly by Marc and Mike. Yes, the series but even more all the other small hints and guidances i could capture in the 3 months i am listening to this great stuff now. (No, their input did not get me to resign and look for something new! It is as i said above...)

My points are:
- Thank you notes also work nicely in Germany!
- Don't smile [u]too much [/u]in the interviews...
- Do whatever you feel like in the interview, but: CLOSE!

[u]On the notes:[/u] Shortly: same as in the US, i think.
[u]On smiling:[/u] in one interview (7.000 people worldwide business company any of you knows) i was a bit nervous (maybe because of indecision about my interest in the position at all...) and had a psychologist head of HR interviewing me cooking me for 1 hour and leaving 5 min. for the position tasks. I kept smiling and must have made a rather phoney impression. My learning is: not too much smiling, specially when you're nervous. Some serious looking can help concentrating. (I closed them anyway, though! No response yet...)
[u]On closing:[/u] no, i'm not just repeating "it works": Today i had the 3rd interview on a great position (1 w/ the recruiter, 1 w/ the MD, today w/ the MD and VP; I closed all of them). After i closed the VP he lowered the guard and told me clearly his impression is very positive and he can figure out working with me in the position at my stated conditions. As i know the MD wants me, i am in calm water now (even if still not in the harbor). Had i not closed him, i would be in a big doubt. Closing does not only leave the better impression on the interviewer. It also provides information you as the interviewee might not get otherwise.

Just wanted to share this great experience with you (in this first contribution of mine).

Have fun and success!
Heiko

tcomeau's picture
Training Badge

Heiko,

Thanks for sharing!

On the subject of "smiling too much," M&M point out that they can only prepare you for 85% of the interviews you'll have, and those are behavioral interviews. If you get something that's not behavioral (like a psychologist who is trying to "profile" you) then the interview series won't be much help.

It's easy to [i]say[/i] that you should try to convert nervousness into energy, and use that to show more interest. It's harder to do. Breathing -- slowing down, taking deeper breaths, and attention to how you feel -- can help reduce the physiological effects, and focusing on understanding what the interviewer needs can help with the psychological effects. Being well-prepared is the best way to start.

(What is it with me and breathing this week?)

And thanks for another reason to close!

tc>

BJ_Marshall's picture
Licensee BadgeTraining Badge

Thanks for sharing!

I've been preparing for interviews, though I haven't had any yet. (But I am following up every week.) Hearing encouraging posts like this keeps me going.

Welcome!
BJ

jhack's picture

Heiko,

Thanks for sharing. Congrats on your progress, and good luck in the home stretch...

Smiling is [i]not[/i] universally received the same. Some cultures do interpret excessive smiling as phony (France, for example). In others (America, for example) you can't smile too much.

There are pay services that will tell you such things, by country. If anyone knows a free service that has this kind of cultural info, please let us know.

John[/i]

nogger's picture

Heiko,

thanks for sharing and greetings from Cologne. Did you change your resume to the MT style? And if yes, what was the feedback?

Bye,
Martin

thaGUma's picture

Heiko, thank you for sharing your experience. I am glad it is working for you.
Chris