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INTERVIEW CHEMISTRY 101

“I don’t know exactly why I'm hiring this person and not the other. We just had great chemistry?” I hear that often from clients. What is it? Where does it come from? What does it mean when someone says, “chemistry is the magical part of interviews?”

I have skimmed through books about interviewing and have not seen one that defines or explains chemistry. None tell you how to develop this magical skill. Chemistry is the magic when two people meet and fall in love. Chemistry is the spark that ignites the love-at-first-sight fire. How do you get it? Do all already have it and not know it? Here’s how to develop and use the chemistry factor.

You can develop this skill after understanding its dynamics and how to control this chemistry factor. Interview chemistry is not supernatural. It is not an accidental event. Chemistry is simply not caring about “You.” During interviews, don’t ask questions that serve your interests. Don’t ask about the money package or benefits. Chemistry is not caring about your desires, your goals, your future or your career. It is not caring about the base salary, 401K roll over, medical or vacation benefits. You must save these questions for later discussion. Do not discuss any of these concerns during the interview.

Your primary goal during every interview is to convince the employer that you want to work for them and only them. You have to make the employer feel that you do not care where you live, you just want the job. You do not care how much money you make, you just want the job. What you want is the opportunity. The stronger your intensity about the opportunity, the greater the chemistry. Just like the chemistry between two lovers totally focused on the others needs and desires. But at this point, you are the only suitor, focused on the employer’s wants and needs. The employer does not care about your wants and needs at this point of the process “Mr. Employer, I don’t care about my salary.” “I will live anywhere you say, all I want is the job.”

Making that statement might appear that you need psychological help, but in reality, that statement pleases the employer because they feel you are committing yourself to a long-term career move with their company. If there is a second and third interview, that is when the employer will try to build chemistry because they want to hire you.

When you say, “I want the job” what you are really saying is “I want the job offer.” Once you have the job offer, your money package and job location becomes important.

That’s when the employer wants to meet your money needs and location preferences. You can always turn down the job offer but you must get one first.

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George Gurney has been a leader in the employment industry since 1976. He founded an executive search firm that conducts domestic and international assignments.  He has won numerous awards for recruiting excellence.  He has been a guest speaker at national conventions and seminars.