When interviewing, don’t forget the lobby resources!
OK, so you got the interview for your target company. Congratulations! You show up on interview day confident because you planned for this day well in advance. You’re ready for whatever they can throw at you. What else can you do to gain an edge in the interviewing process? Be a lobby scanner!
When you arrive, you are often greeted by a lobby employee (a receptionist or security guard). Don’t underestimate the importance of this critical customer service function within the company. Greet this person with a big warm smile to show your enthusiasm and excitement as you only have a few moments to make a big impression. After you are seated, take a deep breath and try to relax as you have a few minutes before you meet the first person on the interview team. What could you possibly do to enhance you candidacy as you wait patiently?
Take a few minutes and scan the lobby room and see all the free resources around you; there may be many. Often there is an LCD monitor with a video playing or wall displays that detail information about the company including their safety and quality programs, customer awards, employee recognition, new products plus the vision/mission and values statement. Stacked neatly on the lobby table may be the latest company newsletter, the annual report or company brochures alongside a display of the latest companies products. At this point, the receptionist will probably be checking you out as you wander in the lobby but that’s OK because through your natural curiosity, you are planting a positive impression of your interest in their company. You are surrounded by a plethora of key resources including a glimpse into the culture of the company, critical information you did not have access to before. What they are most proud of is right in front of your eyes! Take all of this “insider information” in and process it.
Strike up a conversation with the lobby person with lead-in questions like “how is your day going”, “how long have you worked here”, “how do you like working here” or “what is the best thing about working here”. Really listen to how open and honest they are. You may be surprised. You appear to be an interesting person because of your questioning. Often, company employees come to the reception station to chat with the receptionist. Listen to what they are saying and how they are responding to each other. Are they responding favorably? How happy are they? Remember, an interview is a two-way street and both sides should be interviewing each other to determine fit. If what you see in the lobby is outdated and not appealing and if the receptionist is not giving off positive energy about their company, the lobby could very well match the demeanor of what is going on inside. Listen to your inner voice, are you connecting with this information in a good way or getting mixed signals?
During the course of your interview, phrase questions and discussions around what you saw in the lobby. You will impress your interview team with this knowledge. You don’t even have to tell them the source. Upon exiting your interview, thank the front lobby employee, again with a big smile.
In the job search process, take advantage of all the resources available to you. You never know who may have input into the final decision of your candidacy. The lobby is filled with a significant amount of tidbits about the company and this “low hanging fruit” can provide a distinct advantage for you. If an offer is forthcoming, factor this information in as you will be able to make an informed decision based on your keen observations.
Bob Weingartner is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and the owner of WEINFIVE Career Coaching, a niche business focused on assisting career and job seekers in attaining their career goals. You can reach Bob at bob@weinfivecoaching.com or www.weinfivecoaching.com/