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How to juggle multiple interviews

March 6th, 2013
By Guest Contributor in Get the job, Interviews
3 Comments

By Alan Carniol, founder of InterviewSuccessFormula.com

We often hear of job seekers struggling to land interviews. However, what if you’re one of the lucky ones to be offered multiple job interviews with different companies?

Though you are in a good position, you may slip up since there is so much on the table. For instance, you could mix up company values. You may forget important documents. You could even accidentally name drop an executive at one of the other companies. All of these don’t represent you as the awesome candidate you are — and they certainly don’t help your chances.

However, juggling multiple interviews shouldn’t be seen as added stress. They should be used as an opportunity to steer your interviewing experiences in the right direction. Check out these tips to make it happen.

Create a plan
Mapping out how you’re going to succeed in your interviews is important. Establishing a tentative “interview plan” can help you to avoid any mix ups. Creating a simple spreadsheet or completing a worksheet that lists dates, times, interviewer background and basic company information can keep your interviewing experiences in check and separate from one another.

Noting some talking points for each interview can also be written in your plan. For instance, if a company had a recent merger, you can plan to discuss this with the interviewer. Or, if you are also interviewing with a rival company that sees this merger as a threat, you can offer them an alternative perspective. Without the necessary research and planning process, there’s a large chance you may make a mistake and damage your interviews. Creating a plan helps you avoid this.

Stay organized
Staying organized is probably the most difficult part about multiple interviews. Company X may want a portfolio. Company Q may request your résumé to be submitted online in a certain format. Company Z may require recommendations and endorsements.

Failure to stay organized and jumbling up important details can harm your chances. Instead, prepare for each interview separately. For example, you can create a completely customized portfolio for Company X. You can then draft a résumé for Company Q that is catered to their needs. Later, you can pull references for Company Z who can highlight why certain experiences make you the right fit. Each of these is different and customized for the particular interview.

Though the easy solution may be to create one-size-fits-all content, it’s not the route to go. Each interview should be seen as a distinct and individual event. Staying organized can help you get there.

Be completely present
Having more than one interview in a small span can hinder your concentration. When this happens, you have an increased chance at stumbling through the interview as though you weren’t prepared. Instead, focus on being completely physically and mentally present during each event.

For example, don’t worry about Company Q when you’re sitting with members of Company X. Company X needs to have your focus. They need to know your expertise. They need to understand your value. Being elsewhere mentally will show in your interview performance. The days before your interview with Company X should be used only for Company X, so you’re in the zone as soon as you walk into the room. Once the interview is over, you can then focus on your other opportunities.

If you’re one of the fortunate job seekers out there who has multiple interviews lined up, count yourself as lucky. However, luck can only go so far. Create a plan, stay organized and be present in each interview. The outcome of each will be more positive when you do so.

What do you think? Have you had to juggle multiple interviews? What was the outcome?

Alan Carniol is the Founder of InterviewSuccessFormula.com, an online training program that helps job seekers deliver powerful answers that prove why they are the right person for the job. Follow Alan and Interview Success Formula on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.