TOP TEN TIPS: Interview
Strategy
I WOULD ALWAYS ENCOURAGE
YOU TO REMEMBER THREE PRACTICAL GUIDELINES, RATHER THAN ATTEMPTING TO MEMORIZE
GLIB, WELL-CRAFTED ANSWERS TO CHALLENGING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
FIRST... ANSWER THE QUESTION! The
implication, here, is that you have listened to and understand the question.
Clarify if necessary, but never repeatedly!
SECOND...
LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO INTEGRATE YOUR STRENGTHS.
When on an issue of FIT, confirming a
strength with a behavioral example is always welcomed. When the issue
reveals a weakness.... answer the question and stop talking.
THIRD... AT LEAST ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF A QUESTION BEFORE BLOCKING THE
SUBJECT, TURNING THE TABLES, OR ANSWERING IN ANY MANIPULATIVE MANNER. This
strategy allows you to respond to "illegal, unethical" questions and also money
talk.
TOP TEN
INTERVIEWING TIPS
- USE A STRONG OPENING… Clearly
state your desire to work with the interviewing company. Back up your
desire with solid research on why you are a good fit for their needs.
"I'm talking to you to determine where my skills in can best be applied to
make a solid contribution here."
- ALWAYS INCORPORATE YOUR KEY STRENGTHS…
Like your resume and other written
collaterals, your supportive
telephone and interviewing style should reflect a compelling message, based on your strengths
that meet an organization’s needs. If you have researched and networked your
way toward a particular opportunity, you should be able to "echo" your
abilities relative to their needs. For example, in tabular form…
|
This opportunity calls for… |
And I offer… |
|
Communication Skills |
8 years of demonstrated effectiveness in sales
presentations to decision makers. Customers often mention the
persuasiveness of both my verbal and written skills. |
|
Strong Computer/ Software Background |
Proficiency in MS Office applications, including the
ability to create and develop complementary power point and web page
presentations. |
|
Proven Account Development Success |
Recent track record of three straight years of leading our
Regional Sales Team in revenue growth while establishing a new territory.
Identified, secured and have developed several Fortune 200 customers. |
TAKE DUE CREDIT WITHOUT OVERUSING THE WORD "I"…
Focus in on meeting needs or
requirements. Specifically, minimize the use of the "I word" in beginning your
sentences. Third-party statements can create credibility: "My customers have
always said that..." -or- "My supervisors have always been kind in
complimenting my .... "
STRATEGIZE AROUND THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY
THE INDUSTRY AND THE SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITY… Adopt a
positive, future oriented perspective. Optimism secures cooperation and
advice easier than negativity. Make it clear that your focus on this
Company and its industry is because you enjoy the work.
USE YOUR WRITTEN COLLATERALS TO COMPLEMENT AND SUPPLEMENT
YOUR STORY…
Your written collaterals were designed
around compelling examples of your strengths—little mini-stories to prove your
worth from actual experience and results.
Pull from the same examples to gain repetition and
behavioral evidence of your strengths = REMEMBERED!
BE SPECIFIC AND CLEAR
in positioning your candidacy to meet an
employer’s needs. Don’t try to be everything to everybody with vague, winding
sentences and paragraphs.
FOCUS ON YOUR FUNCTIONAL STRENGTHS, NOT SPECIFIC
TITLES... Be prepared to research and mirror your
strengths
to specific openings, always
echoing the FIT between your strengths and their needs. Make each receiver
feel as if they are getting your personal approach to them.
PRACTICE POLITENESS,
making mutual respect for their time and attention a valued commodity. Proper
protocol, here, can pave the way for high quality relationship building.
CLOSE WITH A CALL FOR SPECIFIC ACTION AND YOUR
CONTROL OF THE FOLLOW-UP… What IS the next step?
EMBRACE CHANGE, NEVER COMING ACROSS AS DESPERATE...
ENOUGH SAID!