How To Win Your Interview - Small Talk

You’re sitting out in a hallway waiting for the HR or hiring manager to call your name. You wish you hadn’t drank that last cup of coffee, for obvious reasons. You check your iPhone as if you are doing something important where in fact you’re not cause you’re unemployed. A lady then calls your name and says, “Mr/Mrs so and so will see you now!” You put your phone away and hopefully put it on vibrate (hee, hee) and you make your way to so and so’s office. As soon as you walk in, you probably measure the person interviewing you (is this guy cool enough to talk football and grab a beer with, is this girl hot enough for me to stay aroused throughout the day?). But really, what you should be doing is eyeing what’s around you. That’s right, take a look at your surroundings.

As the person who is about to interview you clumsily closes out any open e-mails or fumbling through piles of paper looking for your resume, there’s that time where it’s just slightly awkward. Again, look at your surroundings. The best way to do small talk with the hiring manager is to find a connection with her/him. For example, are there any pictures you can comment on? Is there a picture or comic strip on Snoopy or Peanuts? If so, you can say something like, “Man…I just LOVE Snoopy! Isn’t he the cutest? I love the halloween specials. Have you been to Knottberry Farm?” You see, instant connection. The hiring manager can identify with you and will want to work with you.

Are there any jet planes on the wall? Maybe this guy used to fly planes, or collects planes, or builds model planes. If so, you can say something like, “man…I used to want to be a pilot when I was a kid. I would take my bike to the airport and just watch them take off and land. It was great! Unfortunately, I’m afraid of heights so I had to pursue another dream….that is to work for you sir!” See how that works?

Maybe your future boss has a picture of his family on his desk. Look at the wife. Look at the daughters. You can then say something like, “Wow, married eh sir? That’s great! I love, love, love women myself! I can’t get enough of them. Oh, kids too? Well, you know what sir? I love sex with women. Love, love, love it!” Again, instant connection.

Now you try it. There’s no trick to it, it’s just a simple trick! As soon as you get off on a personal level with your future boss, consider yourself hired!

…stay tuned for our blog series on winning your interviews…