{"id":2407,"date":"2023-12-08T19:42:26","date_gmt":"2023-12-08T19:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testedwebsite.us\/Isabella\/?page_id=2407"},"modified":"2023-12-12T17:18:50","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T17:18:50","slug":"candidates-career-reports-how-to-master-the-art-of-interviewing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/testedwebsite.us\/Isabella\/candidates-career-reports-how-to-master-the-art-of-interviewing\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Master the Art of Interviewing"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”3%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”How to Master the Art of Interviewing” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:40|text_align:left|color:%23ed8b00″ google_fonts=”font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:600%20bold%20regular%3A600%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n
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By Bill Radin \u00a91998 Innovative Consulting, Inc. Career Development Reports<\/p>\n

To a large degree, the success of your interview will depend on your ability to discover needs and empathize with the interviewer. You can do this by asking questions that verify your understanding of what the interviewer has just said, without editorializing or expressing an opinion. By establishing empathy in this manner, you\u2019ll be in a better position to freely exchange ideas, and demonstrate your suitability for the job.<\/p>\n

In addition to empathy, there are four other intangible fundamentals to a successful interview. These intangibles will influence the way your personality is perceived, and will affect the degree of rapport, or personal chemistry you\u2019ll share with the employer.<\/p>\n

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  1. Enthusiasm<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Leave no doubt as to your level of interest in the job. You may think it\u2019s unnecessary to do this, but employers often choose the more enthusiastic candidate in the case of a two-way tie. Besides, it\u2019s best to keep your options open \u2013 wouldn\u2019t you rather be in a position to turn down an offer, than have a prospective job evaporate from your grasp by giving a lethargic interview?<\/li>\n
  2. Technical interest<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Employers look for people who love what they do, and get excited by the prospect of tearing into the nitty-gritty of the job.<\/li>\n
  3. Confidence<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 No one likes a braggart, but the candidate who\u2019s sure of his or her abilities will almost certainly be more favorably received.<\/li>\n
  4. Intensity<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 The last thing you want to do is come across as \u201cflat\u201d in your interview. There\u2019s nothing inherently wrong with being a laid back person; but sleepwalkers rarely get hired.<\/li>\n
  5. By the way, most employers are aware of how stressful it can be to interview for a new position, and will do everything they can to put you at ease.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    The Other Fundamentals<\/h3>\n
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    Since interviewing also involves the exchange of tangible information, make sure to:<\/p>\n

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    • Present your background in a thorough and accurate manner;<\/li>\n
    • Gather data concerning the company, the industry, the position, and the specific opportunity;<\/li>\n
    • Link your abilities with the company needs in the mind of the employer; and<\/li>\n
    • Build a strong case for why the company should hire you, based on the discoveries you make from building rapport and asking the right questions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Both for your sake and the employer\u2019s, never leave an interview without exchanging fundamental information. The more you know about each other, the more potential you\u2019ll have for establishing rapport, and making an informed decision.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      Basic Interviewing Strategy<\/h3>\n
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      There are two ways to answer interview questions: the short version and the long version. When a question is open-ended, I always suggest to candidates that they say,\u00a0\u201cLet me give you the short version. If we need to explore some aspect of the answer more fully, I\u2019d be happy to go into greater depth, and give you the long version.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

      The reason you should respond this way is because it\u2019s often difficult to know what type of answer each question will need. A question like,\u00a0\u201cWhat was your most difficult assignment?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0might take anywhere from thirty seconds to thirty minutes to answer, depending on the detail you choose to give.<\/p>\n

      Therefore, you must always remember that the interviewer\u2019s the one who asked the question. So you should tailor your answer to what he or she needs to know, without a lot of extraneous rambling or superfluous explanation. Why waste time and create a negative impression by giving a sermon when a short prayer would do just fine?<\/p>\n

      Let\u2019s suppose you were interviewing for a sales management position, and the interviewer asked you,\u00a0\u201cWhat sort of sales experience have you had in the past?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

      Well, that\u2019s exactly the sort of question that can get you into trouble if you don\u2019t use the short version\/long version method. Most people would just start rattling off everything in their memory that relates to their sales experience. Though the information might be useful to the interviewer, your answer could get pretty complicated and long-winded unless it\u2019s neatly packaged.<\/p>\n

      One way to answer the question might be,\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve held sales positions with three different consumer product companies over a nine-year period. Where would you like me to start?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

      Or, you might simply say,\u00a0\u201cLet me give you the short version first, and you can tell me where you want to go into more depth. I\u2019ve had nine years experience in consumer product sales with three different companies, and held the titles of district, regional, and national sales manager. What aspect of my background would you like to concentrate on?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

      By using this method, you telegraph to the interviewer that your thoughts are well organized, and that you want to understand the intent of the question before you travel too far in a direction neither of you wants to go. After you get the green light, you can spend your interviewing time discussing in detail the things that are important, not whatever happens to pop into your mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      Don\u2019t Talk Yourself Out of a Job<\/h3>\n
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      I\u2019ve got a friend who\u2019s the hiring manager of an electronics company. He told me once that he brought a candidate into his office to make him a job offer. An hour later, the candidate left. I asked my friend if he had hired the candidate.<\/p>\n

      \u201cNo,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he said.\u00a0\u201cI tried. But the candidate wouldn\u2019t stop talking long enough for me to make him an offer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

      Don\u2019t misinterpret me. I\u2019m not suggesting that an interview should consist of a series of monosyllabic grunts. It\u2019s just that nothing turns off an employer faster than a windbag candidate.<\/p>\n

      By using the short version\/long version method to answer questions, you\u2019ll never talk yourself out of a job.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      The Prudent Use of Questions<\/h3>\n
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      Beware: An interview will quickly disintegrate into an interrogation or monologue unless you ask some high quality questions of your own. Candidate questions are the lifeblood of any successful interview, because they:<\/p>\n

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      • Create dialogue, which will not only enable the two of you to learn more about each other, but will help you visualize what it\u2019ll be like working together once you\u2019ve been hired;<\/li>\n
      • Clarify your understanding of the company and the position responsibilities;<\/li>\n
      • Indicate your grasp of the fundamental issues discussed so far;<\/li>\n
      • Reveal your ability to probe beyond the superficial; and<\/li>\n
      • Challenge the employer to reveal his or her own depth of knowledge, or commitment to the job.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Your questions should always be slanted in such a way as to show empathy, interest, or understanding of the employer\u2019s needs. After all, the reason you\u2019re interviewing is because the employer\u2019s company has some piece of work which needs to be completed, or a problem that needs correcting. Here are some questions that have proven to be very effective:<\/p>\n

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        • What\u2019s the most important issue facing your department?<\/li>\n
        • How can I help you accomplish this objective?<\/li>\n
        • How long has it been since you first identified this need?<\/li>\n
        • How long have you been trying to correct it?<\/li>\n
        • Have you tried using your present staff to get the job done? What was the result?<\/li>\n
        • What other means have you used? For example, have you brought in independent contractors, or temporary help, or employees borrowed from other departments? Or have you recently hired people who haven\u2019t worked out?<\/li>\n
        • Is there any particular skill or attitude you feel is critical to getting the job done?<\/li>\n
        • Is there a unique aspect of my background that you\u2019d like to exploit in order to help accomplish your objectives?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Questions like these will not only give you a sense of the company\u2019s goals and priorities, they\u2019ll indicate to the interviewer your concern for satisfying the company\u2019s objectives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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          Give It Some Thought<\/h3>\n
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          Here are seven of the most commonly asked interviewing questions. Do yourself and the prospective employer a favor, and give them some thought before the interview occurs.<\/p>\n

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          1. Why do you want this job?<\/li>\n
          2. Why do you want to leave your present company?<\/li>\n
          3. Where do you see yourself in five years?<\/li>\n
          4. What are your personal goals?<\/li>\n
          5. What are your strengths? Weaknesses?<\/li>\n
          6. What do you like most about your current company?<\/li>\n
          7. What do you like least about your current company?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            The last question is probably the hardest to answer: What do you like least about your present company?<\/p>\n

            I\u2019ve found that rather than pointing out the faults of other people\u00a0(\u201cI can\u2019t stand the office politics,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0or,\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t get along with my boss\u201d),<\/em>\u00a0it\u2019s best to place the burden on yourself\u00a0(\u201cI feel I\u2019m ready to exercise a new set of professional muscles,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0or,\u00a0\u201cThe type of technology I\u2019m interested in isn\u2019t available to me now.\u201d)<\/em><\/p>\n

            By answering in this manner, you\u2019ll avoid pointing the finger at someone else, or coming across as a whiner or complainer. It does no good to speak negatively about others.<\/p>\n

            I suggest you think through the answers to the above questions for two reasons.<\/p>\n

            First, it won\u2019t help your chances any to hem and haw over fundamental issues such as these. (The answers you give to these types of questions should be no-brainers.)<\/p>\n

            And secondly, the questions will help you evaluate your career choices before spending time and energy on an interview. If you don\u2019t feel comfortable with the answers you come up with, maybe the new job isn\u2019t right for you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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            Money, Money, Money<\/h3>\n
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            There\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be asked about your current and expected level of compensation. Here\u2019s the way to handle the following questions:<\/p>\n

            1. What are you currently earning?<\/p>\n

            Answer:\u00a0\u201cMy compensation, including bonus, is in the high-forties. I\u2019m expecting my annual review next month, and that should put me in the low-fifties.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

            2. What sort of money would you need in order to come to work for our company?<\/p>\n

            Answer:\u00a0\u201cI feel that the opportunity is the most important issue, not salary. If we decide to work together, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll make me a fair offer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

            Notice the way a range was given as the answer to question [1], not a specific dollar figure. However, if the interviewer presses for a exact answer, then by all means, be precise, in terms of salary, bonus, benefits, expected increase, and so forth.<\/p>\n

            In answer to question [2], if the interviewer tries to zero in on your expected compensation, you should also suggest a range, as in, \u201cI would need something in the low- to mid- fifties.\u201d Getting locked in to an exact figure may work against you later, in one of two ways: either the number you give is lower than you really want to accept; or the number appears too high or too low to the employer, and an offer never comes. By using a range, you can keep your options open.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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            Some Questions You Can Count On<\/h3>\n
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            There are four types of questions that interviewers like to ask.<\/p>\n

            First, there are the resume questions. These relate to your past experience, skills, job responsibilities, education, upbringing, personal interests, and so forth.<\/p>\n

            Resume questions require accurate, objective answers, since your resume consists of facts which tend to be quantifiable (and verifiable). Try to avoid answers which exaggerate your achievements, or appear to be opinionated, vague, or egocentric.<\/p>\n

            Second, interviewers will usually want you to comment on your abilities, or assess your past performance. They\u2019ll ask self-appraisal questions like,\u00a0\u201cWhat do you think is your greatest asset?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0or,\u00a0\u201cCan you tell me something you\u2019ve done that was very creative?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

            Third, interviewers like to know how you respond to different stimuli. Situation questions ask you to explain certain actions you took in the past, or require that you explore hypothetical scenarios that may occur in the future.\u00a0\u201cHow would you stay profitable during a recession?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0or,\u00a0\u201cHow would you go about laying off 1300 employees?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0or,\u00a0\u201cHow would you handle customer complaints if the company drastically raised its prices?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0are typical situation questions.<\/p>\n

            And lastly, some employers like to test your mettle with stress questions such as,\u00a0\u201cAfter you die, what would you like your epitaph to read?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0or,\u00a0\u201cIf you were to compare yourself to any U.S. president, who would it be?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0or,\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s obvious your background makes you totally unqualified for this position. Why should we even waste our time talking?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

            Stress questions are designed to evaluate your emotional reflexes, creativity, or attitudes while you\u2019re under pressure. Since off-the-wall or confrontational questions tend to jolt your equilibrium, or put you in a defensive posture, the best way to handle them is to stay calm and give carefully considered answers.<\/p>\n

            Whenever I hear a stress question, I immediately think of the Miss Universe beauty pageant. The finalists (usually sheltered teenagers from places like Zambia or Uruguay) are asked before a live television audience of three and a half billion people to give heartfelt and earnest responses to incongruous questions like,\u00a0\u201cWhat would you tell the leaders of all the countries on earth to do to promote world peace?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

            Of course, your sense of humor will come in handy during the entire interviewing process, just so long as you don\u2019t go over the edge. I heard of a candidate once who, when asked to describe his ideal job, replied,\u00a0\u201cTo have beautiful women rub my back with hot oil.\u201d<\/em>Needless to say, he wasn\u2019t hired.<\/p>\n

            Even if it were possible to anticipate every interview question, memorizing dozens of stock answers would be impractical, to say the least. The best policy is to review your background, your priorities, and your reasons for considering a new position; and to handle the interview as honestly as you can. If you don\u2019t know the answer to a question, just say so, or ask for a moment to think about your response.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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            Wrapping It Up<\/h3>\n
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            At the conclusion of your interview, you can wrap up any unfinished business you failed to cover so far, and begin to explore the future of your candidacy.<\/p>\n

            During your interview wrap-up, it\u2019s a good practice to make the interviewer aware of other opportunities you\u2019re exploring, as long as they\u2019re genuine, and their timing has some bearing on your own decision making.<\/p>\n

            The fact that you\u2019re actively exploring other opportunities may affect the speed with which the company makes its hiring decision. It may even positively influence the eventual outcome, since the company may want to act quickly so as not to lose you.<\/p>\n

            However, your other activity should be presented in the spirit of assistance to the interviewer, not as a thinly veiled threat or negotiating tactic. I\u2019d advise you to play it straight with the interviewer.<\/p>\n

            And remember to maintain a positive attitude. In today\u2019s job market, you\u2019d be surprised how often victory is snatched from the jaws of defeat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

            <\/div>\n

            The better your interviewing skills, the greater your chances of getting the job.<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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