"Let Us Live Like Merchants, / First show foul wares, and think perchance they'll sell: / If not, The lustre of the better shall exceed / By showing the worse first." ~William Shakespeare in Troilus and Cressida
Interviews Aren't Always Two Way Streets
Overzealous job hunters often get snared by a very common trap -- employers using "interviews" to get free information and solutions to difficult problems. It's very simple....an employer has a problem and isn't sure how it should be solved. He doesn't have many resources or a significant network at his disposal. He places an ad online for a "fake" job within his department, posts it as needing an expert in the area he has found his recent problems, and gets a few hundred applicants. Now, he has a very potent database of knowledge! He can ask a few "screening" questions of the candidates via email and get his answers, or he can invite a few of them into his office for a quick exploitation session.
This example is a bit on the extreme side, but it does occur more often than you'd think. Most managers in need of cutting edge market data will be a bit more discreet and collect the info they need during a "real" job interview process. They usually accomplish this by interviewing folks who are overqualified.
Don't Be So Forthcoming!
How can we protect ourselves from being 'used' for information? Here are a few pointers that will alert you to the fact that the managers are trying to squeeze you for free advice:
1. Solve My Problem. Keep an eye out for interviewers who immediately (in the first interview) jump into behavioral questions that focus on details that are much too specific.
Here's an example: "How would you handle a situation where you have a turbine in your flux capacitor that will only take a 41 gauge Johnson valve, but your chief engineer says he can make it work with a 42 gauge---have you ever heard of a 42 gauge working in a situation like this? The Phinney Manual says it's impossible. What would you do?"
2. Be My Focus Group. Beware of interviewers who (immediately) ask you to critique, edit, judge or provide your 'professional opinion' about something.
Here's an example: "Take a look at this CD Rom......what do you think of the graphic art on its cover? If you were a consumer in the 25-35 age range, would you be interested in knowing more about this CD? What do you think works best about the graphic designs?"
3. Do My Dirty Work. Never preview any company materials or do any 'homework' that is given to you prior to your first interview.
Here's an example: "Before we meet face-to-face next Wednesday, please go to our website and do the following---1) Design an alternate home page; 2) Let us know if we are missing any critical resource links; 3) Double check our accuracy on the specs in the "outcomes" section; and 4) Tell us how you would design an interactive calendar that would connect customers with our newly arrived shipments. We'll discuss your findings next week."
4. How Can You Tell if This is the Real Thing? If you suspect the interviewer is 'playing you' for information, check multiple online job sites and see if this job is posted elsewhere. In most cases, a job posting that is not legit will not be posted externally or internally. So feel free to contact the company's HR department and inquire about that job being posted internally. If it isn't, you know it's definitely bogus.
5. Withhold Your Best Info. Don't be too giving and accommodating during an 'interview'---answer the questions, provide obvious solutions, and HINT that you have the deeper answers.
Here's an example: There was one instance when I interviewed for a job and the employer asked for what was considered a 'trade secret'. I was blunt enough to say, half-jokingly, "That's a great question, and I do have the answer to it. I'll give you a hint---it has to do with a market analysis---but you have to hire me to learn the rest!" PS: I was hired, and I did provide the answer shortly thereafter!
6. How Can You Tell When the Time is Right? When interviewing, it's OK to bring samples of your work and to talk about how you specifically solved problems, but save your "A" material for later in the interview process. This means, after you've had two phone interviews, three dinners and four site visits, you can be pretty sure the company is interested in you. If they start asking you to solve problems that are specific to their needs, then it's OK.
Always Leave Them Wanting More!
Once again, if your interviewer starts looking for advice and solutions during your initial meeting, do as Shakespeare suggested and keep your best stuff close to the vest--give them your "B" material. Then later in the interview process, once you know the situation is legit, seal the deal with "The Lustre of the Better"!
Tylor Behrens - 25 years of career guidance experience ranging from corporate, higher education, start-ups, consulting to teaching and professional ...
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