Killer Interview Tips.com

Posts Tagged ‘Techniques’

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Stop wasting time on unproductive job search activities. Put down the classifieds, quit mailing resumes and letters, and fire anyone who is charging money to find you a job. Start using communication approaches that will generate useful information, advice, and referrals that lead to job interviews and offers. In so doing, you will learn a great deal about yourself and others as well as find better quality jobs in half the time. That’s the central message of this… More >>

Dynamite Networking for Dynamite Jobs: 101 Interpersonal, Telephone, & Electronic Techniques for Getting Job Leads, Interviews, and Offers

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Stop wasting time on unproductive job search activities. Put down the classifieds, quit mailing resumes and letters, and fire anyone who is charging money to find you a job. Start using communication approaches that will generate useful information, advice, and referrals that lead to job interviews and offers. In so doing, you will learn a great deal about yourself and others as well as find better quality jobs in half the time. That’s the central message of this… More >>

Dynamite Networking for Dynamite Jobs: 101 Interpersonal, Telephone, & Electronic Techniques for Getting Job Leads, Interviews, and Offers

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Few of us have ever experienced anything like the current job market. Millions of jobs have disappeared, and everyone from experienced executives to newly minted college graduates are facing the toughest environment in decades. Which is why top-notch interview skills are more important than ever. Top Notch Interviews teaches job seekers at any level, from all industries and professions, the author’s proven technique to increase interview success. Even if you are t… More >>

Top Notch Interviews: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques from the First Call to Getting the Job You Want

Interview and Interrogation Techniques

First impressions really count. From the first time someone reads your CV to the first time you walk in the door, every impression either sets you apart or makes you a rejection letter waiting to be posted.  Here’s how to make your interview top notch:  1. Be on time.Apart from force majeure being late is quite simply unforgivable. You can guarantee it will not be forgotten and can only be detrimental. The night before your interview look up the address of where the interview is (especially if the company has multiple offices) and prepare all the documents you need to take with you. Plan your route and know what time you need to leave. Now add half an hour minimum.  Travel problems and bad weather can affect your journey so be prepared. If you are early, scout out where the building is, check the time and go for a coffee making a note of how long it took to get to the coffee shop and therefore how long it will take to get back. It may seem like you are planning a SAS mission, but it will be preparation worthwhile.  2. Firm handshakeA firm handshake gives a good impression. It states that you are confident and that you are serious about the interview. Even if you have to wipe your hand because you are a sweating wreck, get it right.  3. Interview themThe most impressive candidates are the ones who not only ask questions but are the ones who are keen to make sure the company is the right move for their career. Don’t be aggressive or pedantic but make the interviewer sell to you. This presents a good impression of you and provides you with valuable information for later interviews.   4. Give them everything they needWhen your interviewer walks out the door they need to have pretty much made up their mind that you are progressing to the next stage. To help them, make sure your answers are full explanations and not one word answers.Ask at the end of the interview if they need any other information to help in their decision. This is a nice way of suggesting that they voice any concerns they may have or alternatively if you feel you have built a rapport, ask them straight out if they have concerns. This is a personal decision as you may feel it too bold or that the interviewer will react negatively, either way, when the interviewer leaves the room they need to have all the information you can give them to make their decision.   5. Hunt down your interviewerThis will not always work, however, the internet gives you a massive advantage and may well pay dividends. More often than not the HR department will forward you the name of the interviewer. Use this information! Google, facebook, linkedin are all libraries of personal information. Finding out before you walk through the door that your interviewer has the same interests as you or that they studied the same course at the same university can be a massive advantage. However, this works both ways and it may be worth looking to see what your name brings up – is it the image you want to portray?  6. Dress codeOn many occasions I have heard that wearing a suit and tie is the safest bet for an interview. As a rule yes, however, dress code in a company is usually a reflection of the culture there and many now operate casual dress codes. If a company specifically says that you can wear whatever you want, then smart casual may well be the way to go. To be safe, wear the full works for an initial interview and take it from there. Be aware – I know personally of companies that have frowned on candidates walking in to latter stage interviews after already seeing the dress code and being told they can wear whatever they like. If you are not sure, ask in the first interview and gauge the reaction from there.  7. Build RapportHow you do this is up to you but I would advise against cracking jokes. Be friendly, smile and be open. Psychological barriers can have an impact – try to have as few obstacles as possible between you and your interviewer such as don’t fold your arms and if possible sit on the corner of a table next to an interviewer. This is better than across a boardroom, however, it cannot always be helped.It is common practise to create an interview panel from different departments in a company and levels of seniority.  Regardless of whether they are going to be your peers, your new boss or will never even be on the same project as you, every interviewer has to answer one simple question – Would I want to work with this person? Make the answer a simple one…  8. Documents. I have never heard of a hiring manager or interviewer refuse an applicant to have their CV in front of them. You should know your CV off by heart, but they may select a particular phrase or section of information, which without context you might struggle to answer. Check at the start of the interview if they mind.Have a pen and pad to hand. At the start of the interview ask if the interviewer minds you jotting notes down. Every interview is a chance to learn more and taking notes can only highlight your interest.  9. Ask for a glass of water.Asking for a cup of tea or coffee may result at best in a burnt tongue or at worst turning up in a cup and saucer. Nerves and chinaware do not mix. Having a dry mouth may inhibit your performance and a glass of water can be a great technique in an interview to buy extra time. If you are asked a tough question, a few sips of water and returning the glass to the table looks far more presentable than umming and erring your way through.  10. Be positive.This includes your aspirations, reasons for leaving jobs, past employers and answers to questions. Interviewers and companies will be reluctant to hire someone that they think will be hard to work with or may be negative. If you have to answer a potentially negative question then at least tag positives on to it. Being able to draw positives from a damaging scenario can make all the difference.

Medical interviews (ST interviews, consultant interviews and GP interviews) can be daunting if you are unprepared. Here are a series of medical interview tips that you can apply to ensure that your answers stand out.

 

1 – Keep your answers between 1½ and 2 minutes

 

No one can listen to a speaker for more than 2 minutes unless that speaker is absolutely fascinating or has some visual aids to help retain concentration. There is therefore no point in giving answers that are much longer otherwise you run the risk or boring the interviewers.

 

2 – Avoid long introductions. Answer the question directly

 

In my experience of interviewing and coaching candidates for interviews, I have always been struck by how few people actually answer the question directly. At an interview, it is crucial that you get to the point quickly, that you address the core of the question and that you avoid lengthy introductions that serve no purpose other than allowing you to buy time.

 

3 – Structure your answers in 3 or 4 points

 

One of the problems that plague interviewees is lack of structure in their answers. This makes it difficult for the interviewers to identify the different ideas that are being presented.

 

The human brain finds it difficult to remember more than 3 or 4 ideas at a time, so there is no point giving your interviewers 10 different ideas in the same answer. It will only confuse them. Stick to 3 or 4 points maximum. If you feel that you need to use more points to say what you want to say then your answer needs to be structured differently.

 

4 – Illustrate each point with examples from your experience

 

Making broad statements not only makes you sound vague, and at worst arrogant, it also makes it difficult for interviewers to differentiate you from other candidates. It is therefore crucial that you back up all the claims you make with examples drawn from your personal experience so that that there is no doubt in anyone’s mind about your abilities.

 

5 – Signpost each point clearly – Make your points clear

 

Once you have a structure in mind, make sure that it clearly shows in your answer and that the message that you are trying to convey is clearly announced clearly within each section that makes up your answer.

 

6 – Use power words

 

Selling yourself is not just about stating your message clearly and describing your experience. It is also about sounding confident, mature and, generally speaking, in control. Most people tend to understate their experience. In order to appear more confident, you will need to adopt a vocabulary which may be slightly different to that which you are accustomed to on a day-to-day basis, and which will sell yourself in an active and enthusiastic manner.

 

For example, Consider this sentence: “After a few attempts, I was able to reach a compromise with my colleagues” . On the surface, it sounds like a good thing to say. However, “After a few attempts” and “I was able to” sound weak. They make is sound as if the candidate didn’t try that hard or is not particularly proud of his/her achievement. The sentence could have a much stronger impact if it were reworded as follows: “Following several discussions where I encouraged my colleagues to review their position, I was successful in helping the team reach a compromise”. In this revised sentence, the words “encouraged” and “successful” present a much more proactive candidate and make a big difference in the manner in which the answer is being received by the listener.

 

7 – Talk about yourself rather than everyone else

 

Candidates who feel uncomfortable at interviews usually compensate by talking about everything else but themselves. They talk repeatedly about “we”, “the team” and, although it does present a good team playing attitude, it fails to tick the boxes when it comes to personal skills and competencies.

 

In your interview, it is perfectly fine to introduce some collective actions and say sentences such as “As a team, we were charged with conducting an audit on waiting time in A&E”, but only as an introduction to the rest of the answer, which should remain focussed on you and no one else.

 

8 – Bring objectivity into your answers

 

If you feel awkward talking about yourself or you don’t want to appear to be boasting, one good way to counter this problem is to bring objectivity into your answers. This can be achieved firstly by bringing examples from your experience into your answers but also by discussing the feedback that you have received, either informally or through 360-degree appraisal forms.

 

9- Avoid vague statements

 

Keep to statements that provide real information. Avoid vague statements such as “I went into paediatrics because I like it” unless you can back up your statement. What really matters is why you find it interesting or why you like it.

 

10 – Don’t bore them with spurious detail

 

Avoid going into too much detail when giving examples unless they have asked you to describe a specific example in the question. If you provide too much intricate detail, you will make your answer very long and you will create confusion by concentrating on one issue whilst the question may be much broader.

 

11 – Stay positive

 

Whether I coach people who are applying for ST, Consultant, Clinical / Medical Director posts or even higher up, many candidates incriminate themselves by delivering answers with a negative undertone right from the start. I have lost count of the number of people who start their answers to the question “What is your research experience?” by saying “Well, I haven’t done much research”; or those who describe their communication skills as “above average” i.e. nothing special. To make an impact, you must sell what you have rather than what you don’t have. If you don’t show that you believe in yourself then no one will.

Despite all the advances in technology and communications these days, the traditional rules still hold when it comes to interview techniques that will get you hired.  Whether you’re applying to a global corporation or a small company, the most important part of an interview is that you have a winning presentation.  This is usually the key factor in determining whether you get the job. Once you have created an effective resume and have sent your resume to prospective employers, the next step is to try and obtain an interview.  This can be done by phone or in person.  Chances are you will first meet an administrative assistant or receptionist.  This person could be the key to your future in terms of helping you to get an interview or providing information about the company, so remember to be polite and friendly. Once an interview is scheduled, your personal appearance and behavior are critical factors which could decide whether your job search is successful.  Here are 7 important steps to help you improve your interview techniques.Interview Techniques #1 — Proper Preparation To make sure you’re on time for the interview, find out ahead of time where the interview is and how to get there.  Give yourself plenty of time to get dressed and get there on time.  As a matter of courtesy, make sure your cell phone is turned off before the interview. Plan to dress in a manner which is appropriate for the job.  Your appearance will determine the first impression the interviewer has of you.  Take care in your grooming before the interview, and be aware of your body language during the interview.  Good posture will help to give an overall good impression.Interview Techniques #2 — Do the Research Use every possible resource to learn about a company before you interview there.  You should be prepared to answer question about why you’re interested in the company or what you’ve heard about it.   Make sure you know what the company does and if possible a little bit about its history.  Be familiar with the company profile. While it’s a good idea to prepare some answers to questions ahead of time, avoid memorizing your responses.  You need to sound unscripted and as natural as possible.  Rehearse an overview of what you want to say, but keep it spontaneous. Interview Techniques #3 — Keep your Cool When you meet the interviewer, remember to look him or her in the eye and be prepared to return a handshake if offered.  A polite greeting and friendly smile are in order.  Only take a seat after it’s offered.  Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.    Keep your demeanor and comments positive.Interview Techniques #4 — Sell Yourself As you’re being interviewed, answer all questions as honestly as possible.  Honesty and sincerity are both important interview techniques. Make your answers concise and not unnecessarily wordy.  Do your best to convey to the interviewer what type of employee you will be and what you will offer the company.  When asked about previous employers, stay as positive as possible. If this is your first job, don’t be intimidated by your lack of experience.  Emphasize your skills and talents, and let the employer know that you are confident and eager to learn. One of the most important interview techniques is to see through the eyes of the employer.  If you were the one doing the hiring, what qualities would you look for?  What benefit would the employer gain in hiring you? Lastly, don’t be afraid to sell yourself, but at the same time avoid the appearance of over confidence.  Project an air of confidence without sounding like a know-it-all. Interview Techniques #5 — Ask the Right Questions Show the interviewer that you know the right questions to ask.  Express an interest in knowing exactly what your responsibilities will be.  If you come across an interviewer who does all of the talking, don’t be intimidated.  Politely try to ask questions which will give you the chance to discuss your qualifications for the job. Interview Techniques #6 — The Wrap Up As the interview comes to a close, make sure that you’ve covered all the important points.  This is not the time to ask about salary and benefits.  Save those questions for the job offer or follow up interview. Summarize you strengths and skills and re-emphasize your positive traits.  Find out what the next steps are in the interview and job decision process.  Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you and make sure to leave a final good impression.  Interview Techniques #7 — The Follow Up After the interview, another of the important interview techniques is to follow up with a thank you note to each person who interviewed you.  Thank him or her for their time and for giving you the opportunity to apply for a job.  For details on these and other winning techniques, refer to the Interview Techniques section of InstantCareerAdvice.com