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What’s the trick to innovative interviewing – Mary T. O’Sullivan
by Mary T. O’Sullivan, MSOL, contributing writer
“A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.” – Francis Bacon
Think about this, you’ve sent out dozens of resumes, and had only a few responses. Then, you get a call from a company with a position you’ve trained for, studied for, and dreamed about forever. Your referrals check out, and you pass the 20-minute screening interview. What’s next? The big interview with the big boss, bright and early on a Monday morning. You’ve had the whole weekend to ponder this event, and your anxiety is growing. By the time you arrive at the interview site, you are a nervous wreck and wish you’d had some idea of what would be asked of you when you sit down with the boss. Your confidence is on the verge of shattering.
Most interviews can be stressful, and put people under great pressure, and that’s done on purpose. But creating that level of anxiety is really unnecessary. It may accurately test the nerve and courage of Navy Seals, but for a sales job, or a computer programmer, or a social worker, the stress level created by an interview is most likely beyond what they will ever actually experience on the job. So, given that the interview process is unlikely to change any time soon, how can you, the interviewee, succeed at a process which is designed to help you fail?
Over the years, I have helped many clients ace their job interviews with one simple innovative method that will calm the nerves, banish uncertainty, and put them in control of their interviews. That technique is based upon using the interviewer’s key weapon, the unexpected and sometimes bewildering questions.
When you sit down with your interviewer, after a few pleasantries, and as the first question comes your way, let’s say it’s the reviled, “Tell me a little bit about yourself”. Instead of immediately feeling your armpits sweat, your mouth drying up, and your knees bouncing, give yourself a moment, pause and ask a question back, something like “That’s an interesting question. What would you like to know?”.
This forces the pressure away from you, and back onto the questioner, who is most likely not expecting you to ask anything at this point. It also narrows down the questioning, so you don’t ramble on about your grade school days or where you grew up. You can clarify the question by offering a few hints, “Do you want to know how I got into this field?”, or “Do you want to know my experience in this industry?”. Usually, it only takes one question to produce the clarification you want.
Continue throughout the interview process to ask clarifying questions. It shows interest, confidence and creativity. Try to get the interviewer to talk “shop” with you. That’s when you know the pressuring questions are likely to stop, and the interview becomes more conversational, so instead of feeling like you are under the bright lights of an FBI interrogation, you feel more like you’ve become part of the team.
Job hunting is hard enough, you don’t need to feel dread creeping over you before the big interview. You’re good enough to get that job. Now you have to let them know it. Be on your toes and innovative when it comes to interviewing. After all, what do you have to lose?
“According to a survey of 2000 managers, the most popular interview question is ‘Tell me about yourself.’” – Think Human
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Read all Mary’s columns here: https://rinewstoday.com/mary-t-osullivan-msol-pcc-shrm-scp/
Mary T. O’Sullivan, Master of Science, Organizational Leadership, International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach, Society of Human Resource Management, “Senior Certified Professional. Graduate Certificate in Executive and Professional Career Coaching, University of Texas at Dallas.
Member, Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society.
Advanced Studies in Education from Montclair University, SUNY Oswego and Syracuse University.
Mary is also a certified Six Sigma Specialist, Contract Specialist, IPT Leader and holds a Certificate in Essentials of Human Resource Management from SHRM.
Connect with Mary:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marytosullivan/