Nudge Yourself to the Top While Navigating Multiple Interviews

Many employers are requiring multiple job interviews these days. The Wall Street Journal reported that going eight or nine rounds now is commonplace.

Design 1st in Ottawa, Ontario, tends to do three of them.

“The reason we’ve made that transition over time is because we’re looking for some pretty specific applicants,” said Matthew Bailey, the company’s vice president of product engineering.

Applicants need to have the right technical knowledge, as well as fit in with the company culture—and different people are in charge of those assessments.

“And there’s also a very short one we do that’s really just about making sure everybody is on the same page,” Bailey said.

It’s natural to feel nervous when being questioned over and over again, but there are steps you can take to maintain your composure and nudge your name toward the top of a lengthy candidate list.

Prepare answers

For the most part, interviews from various people and departments are going to be different versions of the same questions, according to Eric Thurman, executive professional recruiter for Actalent and based in St. Louis, Mo. 

Common ones include how you overcame a professional challenge, how you handled working with a difficult coworker, and how you work under pressure.

“There are usually three or four examples, but they phrase it a different way,” Thurman said.

Start by documenting details about a past project you knocked out of the park. Next, think about any obstacles that got in the way of that or another project: Was there internal conflict? Did a client have a change of heart? Were there budgetary problems?

Notes Thurman: “Make sure you don’t have to think on your feet, and no matter what they ask, you’re going to have an answer.”

Dress the part

You’ll be less nervous if you don’t feel like a fish out of water, so dress the part.

Many companies, either on their websites or on YouTube, have insightful videos that show what goes on during an average day.

“Do a little investigation before you get there,” said Thurman, then choose the right attire for the conditions. “That way you’ll have some familiarity with whether it’s something like a high-speed packaging facility or kind of a tough environment like a steel mill.”

Thurman adds that most candidates do well with a business-casual look, wearing khakis and a polo.

Own your successes

Too often interview candidates talk about what they accomplished as part of a team and use the pronoun “we” when describing achievements. Instead, use “I” statements, and be sure to talk about your specific role at every stage of any accomplishments.

Applicants “don’t want to brag, but [companies] aren’t hiring your team, they’re hiring you,” said Thurman. 

Ask questions

Multiple interviews give candidates the opportunity to ask lots of questions. (This is a test in itself.)

“We’re not looking to hire for the short term,” Bailey said. “If people have a tough time communicating, interacting, or asking and answering questions with the teams, it could be about ego or not being outgoing enough. We’ve had people be able to do every technical thing we asked them to do, but they didn’t fit in, so they didn’t work out great over the long term.”

Thurman agrees. It’s easy to nod your head and say, “OK, yeah,” while being shown equipment on a plant tour, for instance, but “making any kind of conversation shows you’re interested in whatever it is the company is working on,” he said.

Check in

Bailey understands that waiting for word on whether you got the job can be its own brand of stressful. 

Design 1st tries to choose a new employee within two weeks of starting the interview process. The company tries not to go past three interviews, but that does happen on occasion when the decision comes down to two phenomenal candidates who stand out in different ways.

Bailey recommended asking about a timeline for the overall interview process upfront, so you know when to follow up via email if the wait is longer than anticipated.
“When asking questions that could be perceived as having any negative connotations,” he explained, “try to do that in person in the interview so your body language—comfortable, respectful, and genuine—and tone of voice comes across to help the person receiving the question understand you’re trying to stay informed rather than be pushy.”

Keep in mind that you’re trying to build a relationship with your recruiter or interviewer.

And if you do follow up with an email, first explain that you enjoyed meeting everyone, point out what you liked about the company, emphasize that you’re excited about the potential to work together, and explain that you’re available for any other questions that may come up.

“Keeping your name in their head is part of the game,” Bailey said.

Stay self-assured

Keep your qualifications in mind and let that fuel your confidence.

“In many cases,” Thurman said, “employers need you as much as they need them—if not more.”

And if you haven’t heard back in a timely manner after your interviews, it could be that your potential employer is swamped—or “it might be a sign you should look somewhere else as well,” Bailey said. “Ideally you want to go to a place where you’re valued and appreciated—and I think that starts with the interview process.”

Robin L. Flanigan is an independent writer in Rochester, N.Y.