Q: What do you do when the employer interviewing you has four requirements, you meet three of them, and you know that you're the best person for the job? How can I turn this kind of situation into a job offer?
Nick's reply:
Isn't this the way it goes? The candidate is certain the job is a great fit, but the manager isn't. I'll let you in on a secret: Managers are not very good at figuring out whether a candidate really fits. This gives you the advantage.
If you lack something an employer wants, but you're a fit on other counts, don't wait for the employer to decide to take a chance on you. She probably won't. Don't wait for her to figure out what to do with you -- figure it out for her and explain it.
Offer to demonstrate what you can do. Show her. Few job candidates ever do that in an interview. A good employer who's looking for a confident, talented and dedicated worker will react well. Ask her flat out if she's hesitating to hire you over that one point. Then explain that you'd like to prove you're a fast learner and that your other skills will more than compensate for anything that might be lacking.
"May I take a few minutes to show you, right now, how I would do this job?"
This is an incredibly powerful approach. Of course, it's also risky, and you must be prepared to do such a demonstration. How would you demonstrate your abilities? Would you need to operate a computer or other machine? Talk with a customer? Draw an outline of how you would perform a task? Explain how you'd solve a particular problem? Be ready, because this can be the deal-maker you need to land the job.
When an interviewer begins to lose interest, it's up to you to turn things around. Stand and show you can deliver. If a manager doesn't respond to that, go on to a better employer who will take notice of a candidate who's ready to put it all on the line.
Nick Corcodilos is author of "Ask The Headhunter: Reinventing the Interview to Win the Job," and host of www.asktheheadhunter.com.
He can be reached by e-mail at seattle@asktheheadhunter.com or at North Bridge Group, P.O. Box 600, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Sorry, no personal replies.
