What you say and how you say could make or break your interview. Job seekers need to learn “conscious speaking”, or using more direct words in their interview discourse.
Ask yourself these questions to find out if you have razor-sharp interviewing aptitude, or if your verbal skills could use a little hone.
1. Do you fully use the power of “I” in your interview statements?
Keep things focused on yourself and use the strength of “I” to back up your statements, which shows you personally stand behind what you say. Avoid generalized statements, such as, “Working in this industry, you need a background in…”
2. Do you think you can impress the interviewer with slick corporate phrases and the latest jargon?
Recruiters regularly talk to large numbers of candidates. They’ve heard it all. So forget the corporate doublespeak and make the most of your time by getting right to the heart of the matter. If your language is clear and direct, you come across as focused and energetic.
3. In the interview, do you tend to talk about what you do versus who you are?
It’s important that people know what their values are and if those values are reflected in the company’s mission. Look for a job where your success and the company’s success matches.
4. Do you use the word “try” in the interview?
A hiring manager can’t trust someone who merely will “try” to get something done. It seems you want to give yourself an out if you fail. After all, you warned them you could only try.
If a job requires creating PowerPoint presentations, for instance, but you have never done that, don’t say you could try to figure it out. Instead, you should say, “I don’t know PowerPoint, but I will learn it.”
5. Are you truthful?
How valuable is your word? If someone doesn’t know you, your word is very valuable in determining who you are and if you can perform the job. If you are a new grad, for instance, be upfront and tell them you have no previous experience, then add something like “But the company who hires me is going to receive 100 percent of my efforts.” This shows your ambition and willingness to work hard.
6. Does your love of your work come across in the interview?
Often, candidates think they must remain “all business” and not show their feelings in an interview. There may be several professionally qualified candidates for the job, but if you show a personal passion for the work, you will stand out. Ambivalence comes from not being completely behind something, if you really feel it, there is nothing wrong with saying, “I pour myself into a job I’m passionate about.”
7. Do you deliver long-winded answers?
Practicing cutting the clutter from your interview answers and avoiding constructing a sentence with more than 50 words.
By taking out more of the meaningless words, you are making your statements stronger and better communicating what it is you truly want to say.
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"Seven Tips for Interviewees" was posted on Monday, July 30th, 2007 at 11:36 pm.