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Inside the mind of an interviewer (page 1/4)Before you jump into the interview, it is crucial that we first take a step backward and try to see the interview purely from the interviewer's point of view. What is he looking for? What does he want? What qualities, skills and experience is he looking for? If you can discover what he really wants - and match those requirements one-by-one you'll be amazed at how smooth and successful the interview can be. KEY REQUIREMENTSAbilityLets not kid ourselves. You can know all the tricks of the trade, be an expert in every aspect of interview psychology and even have the prettiest, hand-printed CVs - it really won't make the slightest difference unless you have the actual skills and ability to do the job advertised.This is any interviewer's first objective: to ascertain if you have the ability to successfully carry out the functions you will be given if you get the job. But during the interview it is not only essential that you inform the interviewer of your qualifications to do the job but that you can prove it to him there and then. It is one thing being able to actually do the job - but quite another thing being able to convince the interviewer of this reality in a positive and enthusiastic manner during the brief span of an interview. In fact this ability is the key difference that separates the winners from the losers. Let's take an example. Mr. Joe Ordinary is going for an interview for the position of computer programmer. The company, in question is looking for a hardworking computer programmer who will help them develop a new software program. The interviewer asks Mr. Ordinary, "Can you do the job?" Joe Ordinary smiles: "Yes I can…….. It should be good……very interesting….looking forward to it……" Now notice the difference when Mr. Joe Winner is asked the same question. He knows he must not only tell his interviewer that he can do the job but prove it in such a way that the interviewer will not believe him but be excited by his potential. But how? The secret is, in fact very simple: for every skill you list always recall an incident in which you successfully used that skill. Paint a picture in words for the interviewers so that they can actually see you using this skill in their mind's eye. Before we get back to our computer programmer let me give you this example: Anne Malone desperately wanted the job of manager at her local florist shop. During the interview the owner said she was looking for someone who was hardworking and very ambitious to look after and build up the business. Most applicants would have said, "Yes, I'm determined and will definitely strive to increase your turnover and profits. Yes I can do it…..definitely" Anne, however not only made a similar statement but she backed it up with a real-life practical example. She brought her statement to life. She recalled her part-time summer job in a florist shop when she was a student. She noticed when she started the job that the shop looked 'run-down - that it lacked 'sparkle' and a sense of 'freshness' So she told the interviewer how she went to the shop's owner and how she managed to get her to agree that when she worked in the shop over the weekend she would get an extra commission for all the extra customers she could attract to the shop. So the following weekend Anne used her own money and managed to persuade her family and friends to help her re-paint and re-fashion the shop and deliver a single fresh free flower to every house in the surrounding area. And the shop's sales blossomed. Can you now see the difference between just saying to an interviewer " I can do the job" to actually bringing such a statement to life. And that's how Mr. Joe Winner answers his questions. When he is asked can he do the job -he not only confirms his ability but he backs it up with personal examples of how, for example he programmed similar software for other High-Tec companies. In fact for every skill he lists he backs it up with personal examples. He paints vivid word pictures. Yes, this seem simple. Yet in the thousands and thousands of interviews I have sat through the vast majority of people will simply answer such questions with a bland .."Yes, I'm confident I can do the job… and leave it at that hoping the interviewer will be happy with that. He may be happy but will he be impressed? After the interview will you stand out from the other candidates? Remember: every time you detail a specific skill that you can contribute to the business don't just make a bland statement, "I can do this and I can do that" - always back it up with personal real-life examples. Paint a picture of yourself putting these skills into practical and profitable use so that the interviewer can see this picture in his/her mind. And, of course, always bring with you any documentation (neatly assembled in a smart folder) that will add weight and substance to your claims. Extra references, awards or prizes, for example you may have won or articles and reports that you may have written that stand out. Proving that you can do the job is the essential first step of the interview and the interviewer's first and main concern. Before he proceeds to the next stage of the interview he will want to be sure in his own mind you are capable of doing the job. It is your job to convince him. |
| Jonathan Lewis has extensive experience of selecting, recruiting and retaining exceptional personnel in a variety of professional roles. To learn from his experience, visit Careerfriend at http://www.careerfriend.com now. |
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