Why you should always accept the interview, even if you don’t want the job

Your job search has a way of pulling you toward what looks impressive: the biggest title, at the hottest company, with the cleanest story for your résumé.

It’s natural to want the “best of the best.” But what if the best opportunity isn’t at the best company?

Redeeming a struggling business or joining an unfamiliar industry can be massively rewarding. That’s why, no matter how skeptical you are, we consistently urge candidates to decline the offer, not the interview.

Your own preconceptions about a company, industry or hiring authority don’t account for the opportunity you might have, so it’s always better to make an informed decision after sitting down with an interviewer rather than proactively declining.

You never know until you interview

Interviewing for a new role is good for your career, even if you don’t want the job. However, you don’t want to be a “tire kicker” (someone who’s interviewing purely for the sake of interviewing).

It can be a fine line to balance on, but we encourage skeptical candidates to go in with a positive mindset and be open to the interviewer’s pitch. Unlike initial touchpoints with the recruiter and hiring authority, the interview is your chance to ask in-depth questions and get the real scoop on the business.

If you’re interviewing with a distressed company, don’t be afraid to probe into their current situation. Be respectful but provocative. After all, you need to know what you’d be signing up for if you join.

Plus, an interviewer’s response to straightforward questioning can help you form an opinion of the company. Are they candid or dodgy? Is this someone you could see yourself working with?

If the interviewer is willing to discuss the company’s struggles, wants to find a solution and is clearly interested in hiring you to step in and help, the experience of turning around a distressed business can be highly rewarding, both personally and professionally.

The value of participating in a business turnaround

At the executive level, the benefit of joining a struggling business is the opportunity to apply your skills and get the company on the right track. Not only will you walk away with tangible metrics that demonstrate your success, but you can earn equity incentives and receive an exponential payout for your time and services.

For some executives, the ability to participate in a business turnaround even opens doors to hidden opportunities. Distressed business investing has become its own discipline in the finance and asset management world, and funders need leaders who can drive success on the ground level.

Most executives understand the prestige that comes with turning a business around, but financial distress isn’t the only reason some people pick and choose the types of companies they interview with.

Some are reluctant to interview at a company because of its industry, business model or reputation. But, like joining a distressed business, there’s hidden value to working outside of your comfort zone.

Unconventional opportunities can lead to tremendous success

We recently placed a senior executive in a private equity-backed agriculture and industrial products company. The client was interested right away, but the executive wasn’t so sure they wanted to work in private equity.

Before interviewing, he had built a long and successful career in private agriculture businesses, mostly family-owned and name-brand companies. Private equity was unfamiliar territory, and he worried about the risks: a delayed exit, or even failure under a new business model. Still, we encouraged him to interview despite those concerns.

Once he understood how the business model worked and saw that the leadership team was fully aligned, he received a formal offer to step in as CEO, a track that might have taken a decade or more in his previous organization.

This is just one example of an executive who benefited from stepping outside his comfort zone. Saying yes to the interview can give you clearer insight into the opportunity and help you assess your potential team face to face.

What else to know

Every interview offers a chance to expand your network, sharpen your storytelling and gather insider knowledge about industries, business models and leadership styles. Even if you walk away knowing the role isn’t the right fit, you’ve gained valuable intelligence and left an impression with decision-makers who might think of you for future opportunities.

Approaching every conversation with curiosity and professionalism ensures that you’re still moving your career forward.

To learn more contact, Eric Spell at (336) 217-9116 or eric.spell@charlesaris.com.