Page 129 - James Caan - Get the Job you Really Want

I will jot down a comment – a trigger – something to remind me
of that candidate and the conversation we had when I come to
assess all the candidates I have seen.
If you, the interviewee, know what the interviewer’s checklist
consists of, and what they are trying to achieve, once you under-

stand that, your ability to get the job has just gone up by seventy
per cent because you know exactly what you should be focusing
on. How many people actually do that? My gut feeling is less

than twenty per cent.
In the interview process, if you are able to maintain control
of the interview, the chances are you will get the job. Most
people think that taking control might be too arrogant, that
it might intimidate the interviewer or prove a turn-o≠ for the

potential employer – absolutely not in my opinion.
The way to do this without intimidating the interviewer is
by getting in with an early question after the initial small talk,

and before anything can slip away from you: ‘I understand the
position is for a marketing manager. It sounds really exciting.
Could I ask you a question, James – what are the five key compo-
nents of this job that are really important to this organization?’
The interviewer will be obliged to give you an answer. ‘Well,

in this particular role, we’ve got a major client, Shell, so we need
somebody who understands that sector, but who can bring in
the relevant creativity and design skills, and is able to run a

team of six people.’
In answer to your question they have told you exactly what
they want from the job and what you want to know.
You can go on to ask, ‘Could you tell me a bit about the person

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