INTERVIEWING STRATEGIES

By Margaret Nichols, MA, LMHC, CPCExecutive Coach and Outplacement

Counselor425-681-3815

coaching@att.net

REVIEW YOUR SAR’S• SITUATION

• ACTION STEPS TO SOLVE THE SITUATION

• RESULTS – HOW DID THIS BENEFIT THE COMPANY?

CHECKLIST FOR THE BIG DAY

• Dress appropriate to company culture

• Bring a list of references with you

• Arrive early – positive self-talk while you wait

• Relax your body – take several cleansing breaths

• Bring several copies of your resume which has been reviewed by another pair of eyes

• Look your absolute best• List of questions you

want to ask• Strong confident

attitude yet friendly as well and empathic

Use of Neurolinguistc Programming

• Match the style of the interviewing to create greater rapport building

• Lean slightly in • Maintain good eye contact• Smile and be yourself• Speak at the pace of the interviewer; subtle

mirroring of body language; try to reflect their way of processing information

Group Interviews Can Be Challenging

1. Focus on the person asking you the question.2. In some interviews the panel will take notes continuously and it is hard

to read body language – do the best you can3. Engage each person on the panel – try to quickly assess their style and

mirror their body language – amiable, cognitive, pragmatic, social4. Ask if you have answered their questions completely. If they continue

to write and nod their heads they are processing your answers. When they stop writing, it’ time to move on to the next question

5. It’s good to pause before answering a question and compose your thoughts – don’t let the group format throw you

6. Stress interviews are sometimes held in group formats – focus on each question, relax and be yourself; you can’t please everyone.

Two Additional Tools

• Do a SWOT analysis on yourself:Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

• 30 Second commercial:My name is _________. Most recently I have worked for __________ or attended school majoring in __________. A recent accomplishment I am proud of is _________.I am a strong ____________ and enjoy _______.My goal is to work for a ______________ company where I can contribute in the following ways ________________________________,

As the interview draws to a close• Ask about next steps in the interview process• Thank each person for taking the time to meet with you• Reaffirm your interest in the position• Ask any remaining question you may have – usually the interviewer will ask you

to share any questions you may have as your time together draws to a close• Shake each person’s hand and smile before leaving. • You will know right away on an emotional level how it went – be strong,

grounded, friendly, prepared and thorough in your answers without going on too long.

• If it’s meant to be you will get a callback; if not it’s simply a learning experience to ask yourself the following questions:

1. What went well? 2. What did not go so well?3. What will I do differently next time?

Follow-up

• Don’t forget the thank you note• Typed letter is nice – addressed to each participant

– restate why you are a match for the job and be professional yet enthusiastic

• Handwritten note on professional stationery is even nicer – especially if things went very well

• E-mail thank you note to all members of a large group interview – ask the receptionist to give you a card for each person and check the spelling and e-mail address of each individual

PRACTICE TIME

• Introduce yourself using your 30 second commercial format

• Share one trait from your SWOT analysis – don’t be hard on yourself – if you share a weakness tell us how you will begin to turn it around

• Demonstrate your understanding of the SAR process by telling us a success story

Good Luck!

• Final questions you may have?

About your presenter: Margaret Nichols is aCareer Counselor at Bellevue College and in

private practice in RedmondAvailable for 1:1 appointments via phone by

calling 425-681-3815Or e-mail: coaching@att.net