Guerrilla Interviewing

One of my favorite news packages we’ve produced here at TheLadders was a piece in which veteran Hollywood journalist Karl Rozemeyer spoke to theater pros for tips on beating interview stage fright.

This time around, Karl has taken the act on the road, polling recruiters; career coaches; and a few actors, of course. The result: a detailed guide to the many different situations in which senior candidates may find themselves in the interview spotlight. Whether it’s a videoconference, a committee interview or cocktails with a business contact, this story and accompanying gallery will give you tactical insights into how to prepare and execute your role flawlessly.

After all, the boilerplate job interview is a thing of the past. Interviews no longer rely on the old blueprint — a visit to a corner office to meet a stream of executives in business suits for a straight session of questions and answers.

The standard office meeting is still part of the interview process, but executives now face rounds of interviews that are likely to involve varied settings and situations that test the candidate’s mettle and temperament under different conditions.

Human-resources executives are relying more on interviews by phone and Web conference to reduce the costs associated with business travel and accommodate hiring managers’ busy schedules. Moreover, many interview situations (like a lunch or committee interview) are designed to test a candidate’s act outside the one-on-one office setting and determine how he will perform in the real world. In fact, interviews can occur at the spur of the moment or happen even without you knowing it. (Think a chance meeting with a competitor at a conference or a school play.)

The questions and answers don’t change much from situation to situation, but the candidate’s behavior in each setting will determine her success. Understanding the most likely interview scenarios and the proper behavior for each will prepare you to deliver the best performance you can and will boost your confidence.

Among my favorite tips: Be sure to rehearse your Web conference with a confederate to make sure your setting and lights show you to your best advantage — and order the fish, not spaghetti or rice.

All the world’s an interview for executive-level candidates; make sure you’re ready for your close-up.