|
The most important word in an interview |
|
Friday, 22 May 2009 |
Have you ever left an interview thinking that you got the job, only later to discover that they chose another candidate? Why do some people do well in interviews, while others who are equally or more qualified don't get the job? I would like to suggest that the person who got the position might have had the benefit of interview coaching.
Frances Cole Jones is a leading media training consultant, and best-selling author of How to Wow - Proven Strategies for Selling Your [Brilliant] Self in Any Situation. Frances works with numerous executives and experts, helping them to communicate more effectively in crisis situations. The clients that she has worked with have been featured on shows such as Oprah.
Whether it is a job interview or trying to convince your boss that you need more funding for a project, the outcome is directly related to what we say and how we deliver the message. In my work, I see great people struggling to do well in the interview process. There are a lot of myths around what makes for clear and persuasive face-to-face communication. According to research by Albert Mehrabian, Professor Emeritus of psychology at UCLA, there is the “7 per cent—38 per cent—55 per cent Rule.”
• 7 per cent of our influence comes from the words we say.
• 38 per cent from our tonal quality while, speaking.
• 55 per cent by what our body is doing while we’re saying it.
What then is a practical solution to improving our communication and the delivery of your message? Well, according to Frances “being prepared is the key in getting your message across in a clear and compelling way” If 93 per cent of your communication is in how you present the idea, your tone and body language speak so loud, the hiring manager may not hear your words. Hiring managers will sense if you are not sure of the answer, or scrambling for a response through your non-verbal communication. A good way to become more comfortable is to write out your answers, especially with the difficult questions that you “hope” the manager doesn’t ask (gaps in resume, lay-off etc). Another way to gain confidence is to do a mock interview with a coach and get professional feedback on how you can present your message in a strong way. Preparation leads to feeling more comfortable and confident, confidence leads to a clear message and that could ultimately make a difference in you getting the role you are qualified for in a highly-competive market.
Another key element to having a great interview is the words you use. While the words you use in an interview are lower in percentage on influence, they are still very important. In 1970, Yale University did a study of the most persuasive words in the English language; they identified 11 words, which had the greatest impact on the listener. According to the research shared by Frances, "the most important word in the interview is 'you.'" Remember, the person interviewing is thinking primarily of himself or herself. Referring to them by first name, or bringing the conversation back to them, are key strategies in creating a positive impression of you. The paradox of the job interview is that it isn't about you; it is about the managers' career and the company's needs. We live in the world of twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Those who know their stuff AND know how to communicate are the ones standing out from the crowd and getting the opportunities.
Learning, along the road with you!
Alan
|
