The Death of Socrates, Jacques-Louis David, 1787

The job interview. Often one of the most daunting things for a young professional. The onslaught of scenarios one imagines can start to overwhelm: “What will I say?” “How should I act?” “I don’t know what to expect.” It’s a common case of the jitters, the collywobbles, the jim-jams. But really at the root of all of this is a fear of the unknown. And it is indeed a justifiable fear. So how do we solve it? How do we overcome this apprehension so that we might approach an interview with poise instead of panic? The antidote is simple but also multifaceted.

Ultimately, we must establish a new way of seeing an interview, we need a new lens to look through. So let’s craft that lens together:

They’re Only People

“People are more complicated than the masks they wear in society.”

• Robert Greene, The Art of Seduction

First, we must recognize that the people who are interviewing us are merely human. They were once infants who were completely dependent on their parents, at some point they were awkward adolescents, and there was once a day where they too were interviewing for a job they really wanted. The point here is that you’re just going to talk to another person, it’s really quite simple. But, understandably, when you walk into someone else’s domain it can be scary. Just remember that the people sitting across from you all have their own hopes, dreams, and fears. Don’t fall for the trap of mythologizing them.

An interview is not a try-out but rather a meeting of two parties to measure compatibility. It is the pursuit of a mutually beneficial future. Understand that a prospective employer wants you to be the answer to what they are searching for, it takes a tremendous of amount of time and resources to hire someone, and it is likely that they want this to work out just as much as you do. Lillian Zeinalzadegan and Matthew Millikin at Neil M. Denari Architects said this best:

“...we WANT to like you and we want YOU to be the answer to all of our needs…”

It’s a Learning Process

“The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety.”

• Josh Waitzkin, The Art of Learning

Let’s face head on what you’re so worried about: Yes, you are going to say the wrong thing, be a little awkward, not be prepared to answer some of the questions thrown at you, that’s just part of the game. There are no perfect people, and that includes you. If you make a mistake, don’t sweat it, you can do better next time. Any misstep is an opportunity to improve, you will walk away wiser than you were before. Paradoxically, this is actually a great moment to see how the person interviewing you responds to your nervousness. Do they make you feel welcome and at ease? Or do they seem impatient, not seeing your genuine effort to make a good impression? These are factors to pay attention to. It can end up being exactly the setting you need to determine if this is the kind of leader you want to work under. In this way, your nerves will serendipitously allow you a deeper look into your prospective place of employment. Take advantage of this moment and realize that the interviewer is one of your candidates as well.

Know thyself

[Socrates] “Tell me, Euthydemus, have you ever been to Delphi?”

[Euthydemus] “Yes, certainly; twice.”

[Soc.] “Then did you notice somewhere on the temple the inscription ‘Know thyself'?”

[Eu.] “I did.”

[Soc.] “And did you pay no heed to the inscription, or did you attend to it and try to consider who you were?”

[Eu.] “Indeed I did not; because I felt sure that I knew that already; for I could hardly know anything else if I did not even know myself.”

• Xenophon, The Memorabilia, Book IV

In the dialogue above the younger Euthydemus makes the classic mistake in his interaction with Socrates of assuming that he knows something. Like any great Socratic discussion, the philosopher quickly “helps” the young man discover that he actually doesn’t know as much as he initially presumed. But one thing that the ambitious Euthydemus did get right, if only for our sake, is the importance in knowing himself. For, as he declares so boldly, “...I could hardly know anything else if I did not even know myself,” and it is the same for us. As we prepare for any interview or business meeting it’s important to take stock firstly in who we know we are. We must do our best to detach ourselves from the outcome of the meeting and realize that whatever happens we still are who we are, a rejection or an acceptance doesn’t make us any better or worse. This will give you a peace of mind that will inadvertently allow you the comfort you need to perform well during the meeting.

The other aspect of this is to have a sober measurement of your value in the marketplace. That is, your professional skills as it pertains to the type of job you are applying for. If Revit is a requirement for a position and you don’t know it then you will be at a disadvantage compared to a candidate who is more proficient than you are. But this is only one factor, where you lack in software you may make up for in leadership, personality, or broader technical ability. Looking at your abilities cumulatively will prove vital in your self-evaluation before an interview. Going in with an honest understanding of where you stack up against the competition can give you an edge. Accentuate your strengths and try not to focus too much on your weaknesses. If your area of weakness cannot be ignored then be sure to express a desire to improve in that area and even then, being proactive to learn the skills on your own time is always better.

Embrace your economic mind

How you approach an interview is not a one-size-fits-all kind of a thing, you have to measure what kind of situation you are in and then mold your strategy accordingly. At any given time in your candidacy the job market is in a specific state, functioning on a constant supply and demand framework. Sometimes, there will be a high demand for staff and a low supply, this gives you more of an advantage, we call this an employee’s market. Other times there will be a high demand for jobs but a low supply, here you are at a disadvantage, this is an employer’s market. Your task is to understand your market. Remember, our fear was of what we do not know, this is the first step in establishing a knowledge base to counteract that uncertainty.

When you find yourself in an employee’s market, as we do today, you can usually approach an interview with a little more relaxation. Because, typically, if it doesn’t work out, you know you have many other options to pursue. This doesn’t mean that you aren’t thoughtful and careful about how you select the firms you apply to, it just means that the stakes aren’t as dire as they would be in an employer’s market. In terms of strategy, here you can be a little more patient, taking your time to choose the place that best fits your criteria, this is a luxury that isn’t always available to the job seeker. But still, you want to be sure that you are a strong candidate. Unless a firm is desperate for staff they won’t hire you if you don’t meet their standards. Strive to be exceptional and you should be fine.

In an employer’s market the dynamic is a bit different. Here, firms are now in the position to be a little more picky in their decision making. This means that they will probably have a plethora of really good applications piling up. It’s easy to stand out in a pile of mediocrity but doing it amongst a group of high profile players is another story. So what’s the lesson here? That we don’t need to put forth effort in an employee’s market but then do our best in an employer’s market? Not at all! The point is to assess your situation and move forward with a clear mind. Knowing the odds gives you power, maybe you do something a little unorthodox to really stand out. In my job search right out of school I hand sketched thank you cards for an employer after an interview I had at a very well known firm in LA. I used the company’s custom line of furniture to spell out the word “Thanks!”, each letter was a piece of furniture. They offered me the position.

This is not to brag and I definitely was not selected merely because of the cards. But at that time, as a young graduate, I knew that there were candidates with way better portfolios than mine and I also knew that a ton of people wanted to work at this firm. I just tried to do the most creative thing I could think of. This is the kind of thinking one might try in an employer’s market. Or even when applying to a high profile firm.

In his book, The Obstacle is the Way, Ryan Holiday talks about how, despite unfavorable odds, we always have options, a new way of looking at something, opportunities: “Stop looking for an epiphany, and start looking for weak points. Stop looking for angels, and start looking for angles.” It’s in this that we realize that wherever we are on the spectrum and whatever circumstance we find ourselves in that we have an advantage, it’s just a matter of capitalizing on it. Find yours and you’ll be on your way.

Quick fire tips

Before you go you’ll need a couple of practical tips to aid you in your next interview. Enjoy the list below:

• Have some questions prepared for your interviewer. Here are some good ones:

• What will a typical day look like for me?

• What is your vision for my future with the firm?

• What are the firm’s thoughts on work-life balance?

• What opportunities are there for growth within the office?

• Don’t overdress and don’t underdress. Know your audience and be yourself.

• Don’t just research the firm’s projects. Try and learn about their mission and core values. Mold your responses throughout the discussion to align with that mission. And be genuine.

• If you’re asked to wait in a lobby or reception area try not to sit down and just stare. Most firms will have some reading material or display their work. Stay standing and explore the area. You want to show that your time is valuable and if you have the chance you will use it for something meaningful. When a team member comes to grab you you can approach them already standing instead of fumbling to grab all of your materials.

• Be honest about what you know and what you don’t know. Trying to be something you’re not will only lead to disaster down the road.

• It might seem obvious but make sure you bring copies of your resume and work samples. If you have drawing sets then one copy is usually fine, but don’t show up to the interview empty handed.

• If you know who you’ll be meeting with beforehand take some time to research their background, extracurriculars, and story. This will give you an opportunity to understand your audience before the meeting. During the interview you can reference some of what you discovered. No one loves more than to talk to someone who has taken the time to learn about them personally.

• If you’re in a conference room type of setting keep your hands visible and above the table and be sure to sit up straight.

• If you don’t understand a question that you’re given then say so. It’s okay to ask politely if the interviewer could elaborate or clarify something they ask you.

• Having a mutual acquaintance instantly elevates you from being a complete stranger. If you and the person you’re meeting know the same person try and find a way to elegantly fit that point into the conversation. Just be sure that the acquaintance actually knows who you are and that you are on good terms with them.

• Be sure to check out Archinect’s “How to Get a Job at ______” series for invaluable insights from some of today’s best firm’s. This resource alone will provide you with practical and actionable tools to help you in your journey.

Good Luck! Feel free to share any thoughts or ask any questions in the comments below.