Coffee shops seem to be a popular choice to hold informal job interviews. These are typically “getting to know you” type chats to assess for “cultural fit.” It’s a good way to meet a potential team member on a more casual basis and have an informal conversation without starting a more rigorous interview process. But don’t be fooled. An informal “feeler” conversation at Peet’s or a Starbucks is an interview. Even though it’s “only” a 30-minute coffee and a chat, this meeting could be a stepping stone to your next career opportunity. Your job is to show up ready to impress. Be prepared. Be polished. Be professional. It seems there’s some confusion as to who pays, or to quote a client “who buys the Frap?”General rule of thumb is that the company always picks up the tab. But you should still offer to pay. Best way to avoid any awkwardness is to show up early and buy your own drink to start the interview on the right note. And now that that’s settled, let’s move on to the next item on the list: interview preparation. Follow these 4 steps: 1. Do the research
An informal interview is just like any other interview. Learn everything you can about the company from as many sources as you can. Check out Glassdoor for company reviews from current and former employees. Reading enough reviews can reveal important information. Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn and find photos to help you spot her. 2. Get your story straight
One of the most frequently asked interview questions is “tell me about yourself.” Have an answer ready to go. This is your chance to talk about who you are professionally and to showcase your experience, skills, and accomplishments. Write down three achievement stories. Talk about times you've really felt proud of an achievement at work. Your stories should demonstrate qualities like judgment, initiative, teamwork or leadership. Wherever possible, quantify what you've done. Achievement stories make you memorable. 3. Be prepared to answer questions
Be ready to answer standard interview questions Anticipate the questions you'll be asked and how to answer them. Even if you’re a savvy interviewing machine, it’s essential to spend time thinking about what skills, accomplishments, and examples will resonate with the prospective employer. The examples you share should be relevant to the role you are interviewing for. Lists of common interview questions are easy to find. It's likely you'll be asked why you're interested in the position and the company. Identify a couple of key factors that make it a great fit for you. The prep work will help you focus and be comfortable during the interview. 4. Be prepared to ask questions
An interview is a two-way street. Your potential employer is asking you questions to learn about you and your skills. In return, you need to ask your potential employer some good questions to be sure that this is the right job for you. Prepare at least three questions that demonstrate your interest in the position, your drive to excel in the role, and the fact that you’ve done some homework. As you conduct your pre-interview research, write down things that you’d like to learn more about. Keep in mind that the best questions to ask are open-ended questions. Avoid questions that are too broad or too vague. Ask about things you are genuinely interested to know. 10 tips for acing any job interview:
Get ready for an informal interview in the same thorough way you'd prepare for a formal job interview.
Practice but don’t memorize your answers. Be comfortable talking about your career path, your strengths and your long-term goals. When you know your story inside and out, you’d be able to handle just about any interview question.
Do NOT let your hair down. Think about what you say. Be positive. Act interested. Pay attention to notice how to best engage and to respond appropriately and usefully.
Have a vision for how you'd fit in at the company and what positive contributions you could make.
Repeat the interviewer’s most important points; e.g. “I agree with you about ...,” or “I'd like to go back to ...” This is your chance to demonstrate active listening skills and build rapport, understanding, and trust.
The candidate is expected to do 80 percent of the talking. Be attentive and keep the conversation going.
Have a go-to phrase that'll help you avoid dead air if you need time to think and gather your thoughts. A good strategy is to repeat a question before answering or saying “this is a great question…."
Do as many mock interviews as you possibly can with trusted friends who can provide constructive feedback.
Create an interview cheat sheet: what you want to say and ask and the things you need to bring with you. Have one for every interview.
Relax and remember to smile. Body language always speaks louder than words.
Whether you are interested in the opportunity or not, it is always important to leave a good impression. It is a great way to expand your network and keep the door open to future opportunities.
