3 things to do in a job interview!
It was my first job interview. I was still an architecture student and applying for a paid summer position. All was going well up until she asks me: ‘This project starts now, and ends in late October. I'm assuming that the timing is good for you?'
Without hesitation, I answer: ‘No. I can’t stay till October.’
To counter the bewildered look on her face, I continue: ‘Actually, my university classes start in late September, and that’s my top priority. So I’m available till that date only.’
She mutters: ’But you do understand that all the other applicants are willing to work within that time frame?’
Still unshaken by her reaction, I explain: ‘I’m just trying to be transparent right from the start. I don’t want to accept now, and end up with excuses later on.’
We shook hands. I left.
You know that feeling when you have a presentation or an important interview? You almost feel on a cloud when you’re there because you’re so focused on one thing, and one thing only. So when that interview ended, it took me a few minutes to come back to my normal self. And that’s when common sense kicked in.
I remember calling my mom and almost screaming: ‘I don't know what I was thinking. They must have thrown my application as soon as I left. Why would I even apply for a job, if I can’t work within that period? That was so wrong. And almost funny.’
Around a week later, they call me. I got the job.
It was a shock, I had almost forgotten about that interview. But after all these years, I understand now why that happened. And I learned three important lessons to apply always in job interviews:
1. Be honest
Do you think that the recruiter can’t see through you? If you say that you’re a ninja in Revit, 3D Max, Sketchup, Rhino…oh, and ArchiCAD! That’s hardly believable, isn’t it? And that’s not even the real problem! You’re risking that anything you say from this point onward will be faced with a lot of doubt.
Ok, I can hear you saying: ‘That sounds about right, but I’m afraid that I wouldn’t get the job if I don’t know these things.’
If you want to get the job, I’d say that’s exactly why you should only claim your points of expertise. For example, when you say: ‘I’m an expert in Revit, but a little less proficient in Photoshop. However, if that’s a needed skill, I’m a quick learner. Actually, I really enjoy working in a polyvalent environment.’
That’s a sentence that says a lot, not only about your skills but especially about your character. And that’s much rarer. Moreover, we now believe that you are genuinely an expert in Revit!
Besides, here’s a pro tip for you. Research beforehand what you would need in that specific firm. If it’s a huge company, you may need to be extremely proficient in one specific skill. If it’s a small architecture office, you may need a little bit of everything. Knowing this about your interviewer helps you shift the conversation by stressing on the skills you know they need.
2. Know your worth (and act like it!)
Warning alert: when confidence is coupled with pretentious behaviors and false claims, that’s obviously a disastrous scenario.
However, when confidence is coupled with honesty, that’s an unbeatable combination. (See 1 + 2)
That’s simply the recipe for an expert who knows what he does, knows what he doesn’t, and is confident enough to say so.
Ok, I can hear you saying: ‘Cool, but that’s easier said than done!’
True, we all get nervous before an important interview. Especially when the person interviewing us is a 50-60-year-old established CEO with so much experience under his belt! That’s undoubtedly intimidating.
However, I’ve always had a secret hack, and it works to ease my stress. Imagine that person when he/she was your age. What were they doing? What was their work position? If they were to go to an interview, would they be anxious about it too? Chances are that you’re even better off than them at their age.
Above all, this technique helps you to:
- relate to the human who’s in front of you.
- not compare your Chapter 1 to someone else’s Chapter 20.
3. YOU are interviewing them too!
Don’t look at me with surprised eyes…yes, you’re interviewing them too. You’re an architect. You’re an interior designer. You have several years of studies behind you, and maybe some years of experience too. You want to work in an environment where you can learn, improve, give back and thrive! You want to be paid what you deserve. You want to be respected and treated like the beautiful person you are. Simply, you want to pass most of your daily hours in a place that you love.
And you have the responsibility to interview them to make sure about all of these things.
Ok, I can hear you saying: ‘If all things were equal, that would be correct. But there are many more architects available than jobs offered in my country.’
True, but you see, think of it like a first date. You may think that you just met the ONLY person you’ll ever love…but the minute you seem weirdly attached in that first conversation, the tables are turned. It’s a counterintuitive dilemma, but that’s the way it is.
So ask them all the questions that you need. Be curious about their firm, and their values. This shift in attitude shows. And it is enough for them to look at you differently.
In retrospect, if we think now about my first job interview…I thought I messed up but I actually did all three things unknowingly. I was honest, I specified till when I can work. I was confident and didn’t seem bothered by her reaction. And that shift in attitude showed that this job is not my only option.
Besides, having to say the truth revealed parts of my character that wouldn’t have shown otherwise. I wasn’t one to ‘end up with excuses’, and since I was so serious about my university classes, that probably tells that I’ll be serious about my job too. In that case, one more month of work or not seems much less important for the recruiter. Or, at least, that’s my interpretation of the story.
What about you, have you had any good/not so good experiences in your first job interview? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
Besides, you might have noticed by now that we’re not the usual ‘architecture’ blog. We love talking about architecture projects, but even more so about our experiences, our mistakes, and how you can learn from them in your architectural career path. If you want to join our community, sign up for our newsletter. We promise to give you helpful tips, always wrapped up in fun stories!
