Engage your interviewer

- As much as an interviewer is testing your analytical, math and problem solving skills, they also want to make sure you have excellent people skills. Basically, they're asking, are you the whole package? Now, the best way to show the interviewer you have got what it takes is to use your magical people skills on them. Here are some things to think about when engaging your interviewer during a case study. Number one, first impressions matter. Now this is true in every interview but in case study interviews, that first interaction really sets the tone for the rest of the conversation. Body language matters, make sure you smile, firmly shake the interviewer's hand and enter into the room like the confident candidate that you are. And like my mom said, stand up straight! Number two, build rapport. Because this interview style feels so formal, we forget that the people we're interviewing with are, in fact, just people. They've interests outside of work, they have families, friends, and hobbies. They are people just like you. People who sat just where you sat, and they know what you're going through. Use the time before you launch into the interview to make some small talk. Now typically, I'm not a fan of small talk. But before a case study interview, I believe it's the perfect antidote needed to quell those pre-interview jitters. Number three, listen well. Part of engaging an interviewer means listening well. It means you have to stop talking externally and silence the chatter internally. That way, you can pay special attention to specific instructions they are giving. Without active listening, you may not have really heard, a.k.a. understood the question. Number four, create conversation. The faster you can turn an interview into a conversation, the better. Even in a case study interview, you can explain your process and answer in way that brings the interviewer into the discussion. For instance, you could explain your rationale by saying, based off your information, Sarah, I would approach the problem by first doing X, then Y, then Z. Even that subtle mention of their name is enough to wake them back up and reengage with your conversation. Number five, ask questions. Because of the intensity of the interview, I found that candidates often want to scurry out the door after they've finished their case. Don't do that. Instead, take a breath and come prepared with a couple of closing questions for the interviewer. Ask them customized questions about their career, the industry, and the culture of the organization. Overall, you have the capability to show off those communication skills. With a bit of practice, self-awareness, and mindset shifts, you'll be well on your way to engaging your interviewer.