Like
How did I do?
By Edward A. Denison
Rate your performance -- you may have done better than you think. The interview is now over. Wouldn't it be nice if the interviewer could hand you a rating slip on your way out the door to let you know how you did in the interview? But lacking such an opportunity, you must learn how to review your own performance so that you can learn from the experience, and not be so hard on yourself. Most people are. The idea is catching yourself doing things right.
Use this opportunity to be objective about the situation. Were you prepared and practiced, or were you just "winging" the answers? Could you have been more effective with additional practice? What will you do to prepare for your next interview?
One of the most helpful things I have found is to do a post-interview review ? in 2 parts - and let go of all the head talk and self-recriminations that can constantly swirl for a few days afterwards.
After the interview, go to your car, or stop in at a coffee shop, and take pen to paper to write about what just happened. Or speak into a tape-recorder. Just let your thoughts pour out. When you've finished, put the writing/tape away, and let it all go!
At the same time, take the opportunity to finish and complete the thank-you letter/card to the person you just had the interview with. If you can, drop it off immediately ? if you have not left the parking lot, or at the next mailbox. Be sure to mention your interest in the position (if you still want it) and anything nice you can say about how well the interviewer conducted the interview. Remember ? this thank you note is NOT a cover letter.
This one small gesture (I have heard from employers) has made the difference between you and some less qualified person who was polite. We all like strokes.
After a few hours, or a day, when you have had a chance to relax and come from a different perspective, go back and revisit what you wrote. What can you learn from this experience? What will you do differently next time? What will you do more of?
Now, with your venting notes as a guide, rate your performance -
On a scale ranging from one to ten (ten being high and excellent) - how do you rate yourself?
My overall feeling of satisfaction with this interview. ________
Did I arrive on time? _______
How was my introduction -- good greeting/handshake/posture? ______
Was I confident and professional at all times? _______
How did I speak - calm, clearly, not overly aggressive? __________
How was my nonverbal communication (body language)? _________
Did I handle the difficult questions with ease, giving myself time to formulate? _________
Did I establish good rapport with the interviewer? __________
Did I talk about my strengths? ________
Did I talk about my weakness in a positive manner? ______
Please put in other parameters where rating yourself would help next time.
_____________________________________
So, how did you do? Are you satisfied with your rating? If most of your rating numbers are in the 5 to 10 ranges, you're doing all right. Look carefully and dispassionately at the lower ratings -- what were the problems? You might want to consider practicing with someone.
No matter how your ratings added up, remember that some of what goes on in an interview, and behind the scenes, is out of your control. They may have had a person already picked and needed to go through the interview process to satisfy regulations and policy. Also, keep in mind that interviewing is a learned and practiced skill. If you didn't do as well as you would have liked this time, work on your problem areas. Try scripting and practicing difficult questions or issues. By giving yourself the chance to highlight those areas that need work, and also those areas that you did well in, will allow you to become more confident and accomplished at interviewing. You will also become more objective in choosing whether the job is right for you -- not just whether you are right for the job.
