Interview Teaching And Preparing For Your InterviewMy Interview Teaching Help Is Here For Your Career Change My Interview Teaching normally focuses on the different styles of interview you may expect, and how to prepare your self for the range of interview questions you may be asked. You will find that I emphasize 'compatibility' at least as much as competence, because you not only have to know how to do the job, you also must be seen as someone who will fit into the organization. In my opinion, setting out to 'ace' a job interview is approaching the issue from the wrong direction, because you should be assessing the job and the organization at the same time as they are looking at you and your experience, as I explain in my Career Changer's Guide. However, this article does make a useful contribution to interview teaching and brings a valuable insight into how you can make the most of the limited time you have with the interviewer. Ace a Job Interview (Or Any Interview) With This Simple SkillHave you ever met someone who was prickly, obstinate, and determined to do or say the opposite of whatever you did? Now how about the opposite, where you and this other person got along so well and agreed on so much that you seemed to be on the "same wavelength?" What was the difference between the two people and how they made you feel? And what on earth does it have to do with impressing a job interviewer? The difference is that Person No. 2 found one or more elements of common ground between the two of you, and tilled it -- diligently. Person No. 1, "The Jerk," let's call him, retained a self-centered focus throughout the likely short conversation, never venturing to consider or ask about your experience, opinion, or feelings. It has to do with the very real phenomenon that if you can make someone feel good about himself or herself, you can make that person walk away with a great feeling about you. The way to do that when you're being interviewed might seem counterintuitive when you read it here. But know that it works. The way you make them feel great about you is to ask the other person questions, then shut up and listen. It's counterintuitive because isn't the idea of an interview for someone to find out more about you? Ostensibly, yes. But human nature is such that people invariably like to have an audience and then talk about themselves. Interview Teaching: Overview of an Interview Remember that it's a conversation, not an interrogation. So ask questions. Be sure to highlight your previous accomplishments, but avoid talking about yourself the entire time. Funnel your questions for the interviewer from the general to the specific: What's it like to work here? --> What's your major business plan focus this year? --> Can you tell me about an experience or project you worked on that stood out for you this year? Find out something about the interviewer and build a conversation around it - even if you have little direct knowledge of that specific subject. For instance, if he mentions a weekend passion for Civil War re-enacting, you could talk about the Lincoln biography you read last summer. If she mentions an upcoming vacation to Paris, you can mention your love of the French language and how you studied it for years in school. Some people might ask, is this a manipulative way to interact with people? Only to the same extent that being an expert race car driver is "manipulative" of cars; or knowing how to pick stocks is manipulative of the market. Having an expert grasp of the tools of communication is no different. It's how you get ahead of people who are focused just on themselves. The key is that you must take a sincere interest in the person or people with whom you're dealing. And your proposition must be win-win. Most people can spot a phony from several blocks away. Practice Makes Mastery Practice this next time you're engaged in any conversation - resist the urge to go into "Jerk Mode" and blather on about yourself; instead let the other person do the work. Assist with a few well-placed questions. By the time you take this simple but rare communications skill into your next job interview, you'll already be in much better position to ace the interview than the "I"-focused candidate. Bonus: When it's time to write your thank you notes to the people who interviewed you, you'll have a rich trove of personal snippets to remind each interviewer of the unique conversation you shared! Akweli Parker is the founder of Digital Delta Media LLC, a copywriting firm dedicated to helping individuals and businesses to craft powerful and irresistible messages. He is a prolific writer and speaker, and author of the ebook "How to Avoid the 10 Biggest Business Copy Blunders." He invites your questions or comments at http://www.digitaldeltamedia.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Akweli_Parker So, although my Interview Teaching normally focuses on the different styles of interview you may expect, and how to prepare your self for the range of questions you may be asked, this article does make a useful addition to our repertoire of interview teaching and brings a valuable insight into how you can make the most of the limited time you have with the interviewer. You are here: Interview Teaching Return To Your Career Change Home Page from Interview Teaching And Preparing For Your Interview. Looking for something specific about interview teaching? An answer to an interview question? A CV or Resume layout? How to start Networking? More free Cover letter examples, or some ideas of your options? Just enter your keyword in the search box below to find your answer on this site or anywhere else on the web. 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