Job Interview With Someone You Already Know
When I first started job searching, I was pretty terrified past the idea of interviewing with someone I knew. I mean, how am I supposed to act? This person is the guy or daughter who decides if I get the job—and he or she already knows too much most me (and is probably friends with me on social media). Should I pretend I've never met him or her and starting time introducing myself in full detail like any other interview? Do I jokingly bring up that time nosotros got drunk at a holiday party together? Most importantly, what do I do with my hands?
All kidding bated, this kind of example is a pretty unique one, which ways it calls for some extra prepping.
Then, I turned to the people I knew who have been through this, my wonderful fellow Musers. What they told me was actually pretty reassuring. Now, I'll suspension it downward for you lot by situation, considering every interview is different depending on the person—and how yous originally met.
If Yous're Interviewing With a Friend
You lot've had drinks with this person and discussed your relationships and family matters in particular. Or, the two of yous used to complain virtually your boss during coffee breaks at your old company. Now, he's the person taking notes on your resume and asking most your "greatest weakness"—which seems silly, because you lot're pretty sure he could answer that for you lot.
Muse writer Sara McCord experienced this exact state of affairs with a close friend: "I had an interview with a friend just weeks after a very difficult event in my personal life. I recall her starting the call by expressing her condolences and saying nosotros didn't have to talk nearly it. However, I was prepared since I hadn't nonetheless spoken to her. So along with thanking her, I weaved what was going on into my interview, saying things like how meaningful information technology was for me to delve into work I cared about, and how excited I was to throw myself into projects similar the ones in the task description. That happened to be true—and genuine—which is something friends and interviewers alike appreciate."
What she got out of this encounter was that you can't—and shouldn't—ignore the fact that you know each other—well. Fugitive the elephant in the room makes the situation uncomfortable for both of you. With that said, at present'southward not the time to rehash whatsoever drunken escapades, dating horror stories, or annoying statuses from a common Facebook friend. Gear up to bring the chat back to the position at hand every time information technology starts to get off rail. (And the closer you are, the more probable it is to veer away from professional matters.)
If you're worried you lot're coming off too uptight to someone who knows you better, remember that regardless, information technology'due south still an interview. This person should sympathise you're taking the process seriously—and will honestly probably exist happy to see your more professional side before vouching for you to her visitor.
If Y'all're Interviewing With a Erstwhile Manager
This situation should be ideal for yous. Afterward all, this person knows you in the professional sense and asked you to come up in for an interview. That bodes well. Still, it tin can exist tricky for the same reason—this person knows exactly what it'south similar to work with you. And, if it's been awhile, y'all're in the position of trying to prove how far you've come since you lot last sat across the tabular array from each other.
The Muse'south Managing Editor Jenni Maier suggests you err on the side of staying professional—but, at the same fourth dimension, don't be agape to reference your by. If, for case, y'all're asked to talk about your resume, avoid walking your former boss step-past-stride through the job she hired you to do. Odds are this person remembers it well enough and pretending that's not the case wastes both of your time.
Instead, focus on what this person doesn't know about you now. What take you achieved and learned since the last time you worked closely together? Rather than spend besides much time reminiscing over those PowerPoints y'all used to put together, apply this time to prove him or her how much you've grown. And, if you lot know a particular weakness used to be a pain point for her, bring it up and discuss what you've done to overcome it.
If You lot're Interviewing With a Networking Contact
If this is the case, congrats—yous accept a knack for networking! That being said, you're not over the hurdle yet, and this time, yous won't have a glass of wine in front of yous.
For McCord, her initial interaction with her future hiring manager wasn't for a job: "I'd just moved to a new city and been continued with someone through a networking contact. Well, over our initial loving cup of coffee, while we discussed the local nonprofit landscape, she mentioned that she would be leaving her job soon—and her position sounded amazing! I applied, and a few weeks later, found myself interviewing with her. And that was slightly problematic since I'd recently just spoke with her casually for 45 minutes nigh all kinds of not-career-related things."
At that place are two lessons to be learned from this: Ane, that yous should go on things professional when networking, because you never know what information technology volition atomic number 82 to. Two, if y'all end up interviewing, this person is first and foremost your hiring manager—and not your new buddy who shares your interest in happy hour cocktails.
With that said, there'due south nothing wrong starting the coming together off by playing catch-upwardly. Reference the last time you met up and thank him for all the advice and guidance he gave y'all. Go on your tone friendly and show that you're pleased to see him, just keep the content professional and focused on the interview at mitt. After you lot get the chore, y'all can consider meeting upward again for a more relaxed coffee date.
"I was a trivial bummed I would have to proceed looking around to make friends in a new city—since this person would at present exist my interviewer—but information technology was well worth it," adds McCord.
When it comes to interviewing with someone y'all know, information technology's all about finding a balance. The biggest mistake you can brand is walking in over-confident considering you think you take zero to show. Yous should all the same prepare only as thoroughly as you would if the hiring manager was a stranger.
Nonetheless, revel in the fact that it is with someone yous already know. So all the clumsiness and anticipation of meeting someone new is gone from the become-go—instead, y'all can get right into the good stuff.
Photo of woman on interview courtesy of Shutterstock.
Previously an editor for The Muse, Alyse is proud to bear witness that aye, English language majors can change the world. She's written virtually 500 articles for The Muse on annihilation from productivity tips to cover letters to bad bosses to cool career changers, many of which have been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., CNBC'south Make It, USA Today College, Lifehacker, Mashable, and more. She calls many places home, including Illinois where she grew up and the small-scale boondocks of Hamilton where she attended Colgate University, but she was born to be a New Yorker. In addition to being an avid writer and reader, Alyse loves to dance, both professionally and while waiting for the subway.
More than from Alyse KalishSource: https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-handle-yourself-on-an-interview-when-you-know-the-hiring-manager-well
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