Take Your Interview Skills to the Next Level

Influencing to Hire YOU! The HOT topic I’m being asked to provide tips for many is interviewing skills. In today’s competitive environment and desire for hiring the best of the best, there’s no room for the mediocre candidate. We’ve heard it before, people buy people. You can be the smartest person in the world but if you can’t connect with your interviewer, build a relationship immediately with them or communicate your knowledge, it doesn’t matter how smart you are. I received a phone call today from an individual who has a twenty-two year old daughter who is entering the job market. His question, “What do you recommend I tell my daughter as she begins her interview process.” Without hesitation I answered, “She needs to polish her face-to-face communication.” In this particular situation, not only is she new to the interviewing process but she also relies on technology to communicate. A competitive job market absolutely requires communication that’s clear, concise, to the point and relevant. The following six survival steps will be critical to the results you receive. These skills and techniques will build trust and create relationships which are the elements to influencing action. 1. Be Consistent – Be careful! Does your body language say one thing and your words say another? We’re unaware of what others see and hear when we communicate. You can’t afford to take this risk. Pay attention to what your body language communicates. Does your posture communicate confidence or uncertainty? Do you walk with purpose or concern? Are you prepared or are you winging it? Benefits * You avoid miscommunication! * Your interviewer perceives you as credible, confident, knowledgeable and someone they want to hire. 2. Pre-Plan – Take five minutes to pre-plan what you want to convey, the value you bring and what makes you different. Use bullet points to quickly refer to your plan and stay on track during the interview. Be clear about the purpose of why you’re applying for the job and your level of interest. Don’t make your interviewer guess at these reasons. When you’re specific with your purpose and the value you bring, you’ll influence your interviewer to take action on you. Benefits * Guarantees you don’t miss anything. How many times have you walked away from an interview and said to yourself, “I wish I would have said …” or “I wish I wouldn’t have said …” * Communicates you really want this job based on the effort and time you put into the interview. * Builds your confidence walking into the interview because not only do you know you’re ready, you feel ready. 3. Think Before You Speak – Stop rambling, speak in shorter sentences and pause at the end of your sentences, in between your thoughts or to emphasize a point. We tend to say way too much, which will confuse your interviewer. As a result they hear a different message than what you intended. You only have one shot to make a first impression. Do you want that first impression to communicate a lack of knowledge and confidence? Benefits * Allows you to prioritize your thoughts, think on your feet and avoid rambling. * Gives your interviewer a chance to hear and understand your message. * Invites your interviewer to share the conversation with you. You’ll be able to adjust your message based on their needs and expectations. * Allows you to collect your thoughts and breathe to r-e-l-a-x. Pausing helps you gain control of your message and appear confident and knowledgeable. 4. Manage Gestures – Spencer Kelly, an Associate Professor of Psychology, conducted research on how gestures increase the amount of information our listeners receive and remember. According to his research, when our gesture and speech convey the same information, they’re easier to understand. Gesture and speech form an integrated system that helps us in language comprehension. Only by combining gesture and speech does the full meaning of the message become clear. Benefits * Gestures add emphasis and impact to your message. Our words alone are not memorable. You ARE the message. Bring your message alive by creating a visual for your interviewer. * You and your message will be more memorable. * Gestures increase the amount of information your interviewer remembers and helps influence them to take action on you. * When the heat is on, gestures help you channel your adrenaline and nervous energy. * Help you add energy and inflection to your voice to convey excitement and interest in the job opportunity. 5. Make Eye Connection Not Eye Contact – Look at your interviewer when you’re talking to them. I know what you’re thinking: “I do.” The majority of individuals I work with frequently look away during their conversations. To avoid a discomforting stare, give your eyes and your interviewer’s eyes a break by looking away periodically. You may want to refer to your notes or off to the side. The key: only speak when you see the interviewer’s eyes. When you look away, PAUSE! If you don’t connect with your interviewer when you talk, how do you expect them to trust and believe what you’re saying? Benefits * Creates trust. * Allows you to stay focused and on track with your message. * Engages your interviewer. * You’re able to read your interviewer. Their body language tells you how your message is being received and identifies when they have objections. 6. Ask For Feedback – If you REALLY want to apply the above skills and techniques you MUST ask for feedback. Following an interview, take five minutes to give yourself feedback. On a piece of paper create two vertical columns. Title the first column “What worked?” and the second column “What didn’t work?” Identify three to four areas of improvement versus listing ten. Then list the action steps you can take that will guarantee improvement and the action steps you can take today. Your action steps need to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely if you want to accomplish them. If you don’t receive a job offer, learn from it rather than sulk. Ask your interviewer to share their feedback on what you can do to improve your interview skills. Interviewing is an art that requires persistence and practice.