Let’s pretend, for a moment, that you own a small consulting company. You’re at a meeting with a prospective client, asking questions and trying to better understand the problems they are facing.
But you’re also there to try win the business. So while the potential client outlines their issues, you reveal your own company’s experience and credentials with stories of how you’ve handled similar situations. You want to see how your company fits in with this prospective client.
When you’re interviewing for a new job, you have to think and act like a consultant. Display confidence in your ability to handle the position and reassure the hiring manager that hiring you is the right decision.
Here’s how GetFive’s consultant mentality will help you in your next job interview:
You’ll Be More Proactive
Pretend that you really are a consultant on the job, truly trying to understand the situation and advise the hiring manager. Consultants ask questions, take notes and then offer a solution. You’ll first need to figure out:
- What’s going on in this organization?
- What’s the flow of work? Who does what?
You’ll Feel More Confident
Acting like a consultant makes you feel more powerful and calm during the interview process. Instead of sitting there passively answering questions and hoping they’ll hire you, you’ll work to understand the company’s situation and what their needs might be. But there’s no need to act like a know-it-all. When making suggestions, show some humility. You’re not an insider yet.
You’ll Get the Information You Need
Instead of rattling off a list of generalized questions job hunters are “supposed” to ask, be mindful of what you would really like to know before accepting a position. It’s okay to ask the tough questions.
You’ll Learn About Your Competitors
Consultants always try to learn how they stack up against the competition, so be sure to ask about other candidates in the running:
- Where are you in the hiring process? How many other candidates are there?
- How do you see me compared to other candidates?
- What kind of person are you leaning toward hiring?
- Can you see any reason why you wouldn’t want to have someone like me on board?
- What kind of person would be your ideal candidate?
Acting as a consultant will help hiring managers define the job, and it will also help you figure out if it’s the right fit for you. Let GetFive help you with all your job-hunting needs, from preparing your cover letter to interviewing to resume help.
