How to Enjoy a Job Interview

Nicky O’Brien

Puzzle

A man walks into a bar and asks for a glass of water. The bartender takes a gun from underneath the counter and points it at the man. The man walks away satisfied….

Another puzzle

A woman comes to my office for help in preparing for a job interview. She leaves after an hour, without receiving the assistance she came for. She is very happy….

Uncovering your Purpose

“If there is any difference between you and me, it may simply be that I get up every day and have a chance to do what I love to do, every day. If you want to learn anything from me, this is the best advice I can give you.”

(Warren Buffet, speaking to students at the University of Nebraska)

Polishing the Diamond

“There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there’s only scarcity of resolve to make it happen.”

Wayne Dyer

What’s stopping you from getting a job?

• Not enough jobs

• I lack experience

• I don’t have the necessary skills

• No qualifications

• No contacts

• I know nothing about the job

• No confidence

What’s stopping you from getting a job?

• Attitude!

• Attitude comes from beliefs

• Beliefs about the jobs situation

• Beliefs about people

• BELIEFS ABOUT YOURSELF!!

How your beliefs influence your potential

BEHAVIOUR

ATTITUDES

BELIEFS

How your beliefs influence your potential

Take a look at the iceberg image. It describes in simple terms how our behaviour, is shaped. A belief can be described as a principle, proposition or idea accepted as true. Your beliefs shape your attitude. So, what is an attitude? Put simply, an attitude is an evaluation of a person, place, thing, event or situation. And here’s the key. Your attitude towards a situation influences your behavior in that situation.

Examine your beliefs

I made a mess of I made a mess of that, as usual!that, as usual!

I can do better than I can do better than thisthis

I’m just not good I’m just not good enoughenough

I’m as good as I’m as good as anybody elseanybody else

I’m pretty messed up I’m pretty messed up I’m an imperfect I’m an imperfect human being, like human being, like everybody elseeverybody else

I don’t have what it I don’t have what it takestakes

I know I can do thisI know I can do this

Examine your beliefs

There are no jobs out there

There’s always something happening

Who would hire me? I have a lot to offer

I don’t have the qualifications or experience

I have valuable life experience and personal qualities

I panic at interviews I have nothing to fear at an interview

The Inner Judge

• Inappropriate and outdated belief systems

• Conditioned thinking

• Environment

• Vacuum created by self-doubt

What’s your focus when you apply for a job?

• When an employer has a vacancy, she has a problem

• If she chooses a bad solution to her problem, it’s going to cost her time and money

• When you apply for the vacancy, you’re presenting yourself as the solution!

Make your mind up time!

• Are you looking for an income,

or seeking a job?

• We all need an income. Not having one is a real problem

• But if your problem (i.e. “I need an income”) is your main focus when applying for a job, it’s going to be far more difficult to focus on solving the employer’s problem

Where is the employer’s problem described in detail?

• The job advertisement!

• Study it and know it INSIDE OUT!

• Research the job

• Research the company

What employers do when they have a vacancy

• Identify vacancy• Prepare job description and person

specification• Advertise the vacancy• Screen out CVs• Short-listing for interviews• Arrange interviews• Conduct interview and decision making

What an interview isn’t

• A firing squad

• An interrogation

• A Question and Answer session

• A place to be shy and reserved

• An opportunity to brag

• A meeting at which you have to pretend to be something you’re not

An interview is

• A business conversation with a specific aim

• An attempt by a business to solve a problem

• An opportunity for you to demonstrate that you are the solution

• A valuable learning experience

Interviews: The Golden Rules

• Be yourself – that’s what makes you unique

• Remember: this is about getting together with some people to explore a solution to their problem

• Never lie. The best businesses to work with prefer honest humans to lying geniuses!

• Passion for a job is highly infectious

How we communicate....

• The three Vs of interpersonal communication

• Verbal (the words we use) = 7%

• Vocal (how we use those words) = 38%

• Visual (body language) = 55%

How we communicate....

• “I didn’t say you stole the purse….”

• This simple sentence has SIX different meanings depending on word emphasis!

• With which part of your body do you listen? YOUR EYES!!

How we communicate....

• The body never lies

• Body language is generated by your sub-conscious mind, is virtually impossible to control in the short-term and always tells the real story

• Body language also delivers emotional content – the most powerful part of the message

Your behaviour at the interview

• 55% is “body language”, and is automatic

• You’re wasting your time trying to control it

• If you do try, you’ll end up having TWO conversations during the interview!

Presenting positively at interview

The best way to present a positive image of yourself is to feel

positive and confident

What prevents you from presenting a positive and confident image?

• Fear

• Lack of preparation

• Lack of interest in the job

• Lack of interest in the interviewer/s

Fear of interviews

• What’s there to be afraid of?

• Face your fear, and go for it!

• You’ll either get a job, or a lesson

• Not getting the job may not be a bad outcome!

Common Interview Fears• “I won’t get the job.” So what. You’re no worse off than you were

before you applied for it

• “I’ll give a stupid answer to a question and make a fool of myself.” So what. We all make mistakes. That’s how we learn most of what we know

• “I’ll put in a weak performance.” You’ll either get a job, or a lesson in how better to prepare for your next interview. That’s a positive outcome!

• “I always get really uptight at an interview.” Stop telling yourself that! You’re programming yourself for failure. Remember, this is just a conversation about a problem they have that you might be able to solve

Dealing with Unprofessional Interviewers

• No structure, maybe frequent distractions

• Greater opportunity to control interview

• Be careful! Don’t get too chummy, as this approach can be used to disarm candidates for certain positions

• Stay relaxed but professional – it’s still a job interview

• Make sure you communicate your key messages

Structured Interview Process

• Welcome• The candidate is put at ease• Discussion about hobbies and interests:

your opportunity to turn the interview into a conversation, and to project your personality, likes and dislikes

• Review of career history: your chance to match your work experience to job requirements

Structured Interview Process

• General questions (see Interview Skills handout): about you, your personal qualities, your vision, how you might cope under pressure, a mini personality test!

• End of interview: your closing statement that matches your solution to the employer’s problem

Difficult Interview Questions

• May be asked to test your self-awareness

• May be asked to see what you’re like under stress

• May be asked to catch you out

Answering Difficult Questions

• Know your strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, motivators and demotivators

• If you don’t know the answer, smile and admit it. Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy!

• Research! Research! Research! Be prepared. It proves you’re interested

Your Questions

• If you’re invited to ask questions at the conclusion of an interview, avoid questions relating to self-interest, e.g. salary, holidays, or other benefits

• Prepare a number of questions regarding the role or the company

• You might ask “When will the decision be made?” This shows eagerness

Closing Statement

• The last thing you say can have leave a powerful impression on the interviewer/s

• Thank them for the opportunity to discuss the job

• Then, deliver the ALL-IMPORTANT closing statement

Your Closing Statement

• Restates the key requirements of the job

• Concisely matches your key qualities and strengths to those requirements

• Emphasises confidence in your ability to do the job to a very high standard

Your Closing Statement

• Choose your own formula of words

• Say it aloud a number of times before the interview

• Allow yourself to be as animated as you like: this is the big moment!

Closing Statement: Example

“Thanks for taking time to meet with metoday to discuss the position. The main requirements of the job, as I understand them, are good interpersonal skills, the ability to work on my own initiative, and a high level of proficiency with MS Office. I’m very confident that my career and training to date have equipped me to carry out this role to a very high standard, and I look forward to hearing from you.”

Summary: Key Points

• Find what it is you love to do, and do it

• Your beliefs about yourself, about others and about the world in general have a defining impact on your behaviour and on your ability to succeed

• If you solve the employer’s problem, you will solve your own

• The job advertisement is the most important document

Summary: Key Points

• A job interview is simply a conversation about solving a problem

• Your body NEVER lies – it will communicate passion, enthusiasm, confidence, disinterest or fear

• Prepare your answer to the question: “Why should we give you the job?