Interviewers are not those mean people looking to get you at your worst as some may think. These are folks that are looking to fill job requirements in order to deliver what is asked from them, so they can meet their client's performance expectations. They need the BEST individual they can find to do the job, don’t they? But who are those so-called ‘top quartile’ candidates? Are the best candidates those that meet the job requirements or the ones that resemble the interviewers’ personal traits?
The challenge for the recruiter is to instill in hiring managers an objective sense to select that PERFECT candidate for a job; however, some may fall into illegal questioning to get the answer they need for the job requirement they have.
But what do you do when you are faced with a situation like that? Do you attack the interviewer for illegal questioning or do you play a smart act?
Let’s say you are asked: Where are you from? The right line of thought is that they should not care about your nationality but your ability to work for any employer in the US. You could volunteer or not your Country of origin (though, you shouldn’t feel forced to it) but the best response would be the one satisfying the job requirement which is your legal status to work in the United States.
One of my favorites is hearing how some may actually intend to compliment the family they are guessing you have, so then you fall for it and volunteer details on your kids, etc. Don’t! Even if the interviewer does not have a purposeful intention to discriminate against you wanting to be friendly, the chances are that once the screening is done and the decision is between you and Joe Doe, well, your personal cards may play well against you.
Be mindful when you go to an interview. You are going to sell your Professional Brand at your best. Your objective is to demonstrate your competencies by providing clear examples of your added value, so then you can be considered as the candidate for the job. You are not there to make a new friend but to position yourself at the top of the pile.
Don’t be someone you are not and do not fall into a ‘pleasing attitude’ under the belief you will impress the potential employer and get the job.
It is not just how legal the interviewer may be but how honest you are being to yourself and the potential hiring organization in wanting to give your best to them in order to add value and move your career forward.
It is great to be prepared and understand the legalities of the interviewing process in the US but it is even greater to assume your own set of values and expectations in order to match them with the best possible ‘qualified’ potential employers out there.
A good recruiter knows the difference between the authentic candidate and the one that ‘fakes the act’ to get the job. But an experienced job seeker knows how to distinguish ethical job probing questions Vs. the illegal ones.
Call it a ‘blink’ instinct or the voice of the experience.
So, go on and prepare for that interview with the best you’ve got to offer and the level of awareness to handle those illegal set of questions you may – or not –face, but be authentic in your promise of value.
'The most important words that have helped me in life-when things have gone right, or when things have gone wrong-are Accept Responsibility. . . Dream, act and lead. ' - Billie Jean King
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