INTERVIEW

What are some of the Issues that centre on the unknown around the Interview?

(#1) Getting the Interview

You may find that increasing your interview hit rate is getting harder because Cover Letters and Resume's that are pouring in are of such a high standard that need to access more creative ways to move up the queue and get in front of employer as Barry-Newman Sparks explains here

But if time is of the essence and want guidance researching your specific contract debrief... Just Ask

(#2) Surviving the Interview

The trouble with INTERVIEWS is there are so many UNKNOWNS: for example (i) the person who interviews you.. who are they... will they intimidate you or will they be nice (ii) the questions they ask will ask you and will you struggle to answer OR (iii) what questions should YOU ask and will they sound silly or clumsy to them (iv) will they think badly of your choice of clothes... and the list goes on. It is not possible to answered because every interview is different. That's why I believe its important to control what you do know. You know why you are there, prepare what you know, and get help to practice what you know. That will take the stress out because you know what to focus on.

So practice... but if practicing is a bit awkward OR people are too busy with their own stuff right now... Just Ask

(#3) Prepare and Practice to suit the interview method

Looking the part and the level comfort can vary depending on the method used. Favored methods include teleconference, phone and face to face interview. It is important to get comfortable with all three... Just Ask

(#4) Limiting Belief

This is perhaps the biggest issue because not only will you be stepping into the unknown... you may also feel like you are on the back foot and start to notice limiting beliefs begin to stir that you can feel in the chest, abdomen, and restriction in breathing. It is important to uncover your beliefs behind the feelings of 'not good enough', 'not intelligent enough', 'not belonging', and fear around 'making a mistake', 'what that will have them think of you'.

If you are still uncertain, struggling with the unknown around your interview
Just Ask Increased Attraction is just 15 minutes away

Step Up and Stand Out

To get noticed you need to Step Up and Stand Out.

Think of people in your own circle who step up and stand out and watch how noticed they are.. and how attractive it is.... BUT I don't have to tell you BECAUSE you already know the immense power of attraction to be had in being bold, stepping up and standing out with confidence.

The problem is the downside of stepping into RISK... BECAUSE that STIRS fear due to EXPOSURE to the UNKNOWN... that often the interviewer will quickly notice.

But did I mention that harnessing the immense power of attraction that makes you stand out in the interviewers mind may simply mean eliminating perhaps two or three disempowering BELIEFS..

If you are still uncertain, struggling with unknown around stepping up and standing out...
Just Ask Increased Attraction is just 15 minutes away

Help with the STAR model

USING the "STAR" model is often used in job interviews. It gives you clarity, reduces tension, stops overwhelm and increases your sense of certainty. This is about describing a "Situation or Task", "Action taken" and "Results."

Be certain to select examples where YOUR role in the process was clearly visible.... If you need help with this then make sure you secure a clear contract brief for the job you are interviewing then I can help you look for similar 'Situations' from your most recent contract.

Its better to go into your interview armed with two or three solid STARS than to go in 'blank' hoping for the best because that will put you at a serious disadvantage.

OR If you are a DIY person..

here is a sample template you can use. Unfortunately every POSITION BRIEF is unique BUT this template should give you some idea as to what is meant by STAR.

Describe the Situation.

"Our corporate [x] function needed to find a way to handle the [y process] more quickly. We were already good at [procedure z] for [doing A] and [doing B], but our [Y] process was too [resouce R] consuming and not effective enough. "

Describe the Action taken

" I met individually with [impacted parties] to [research issue]. We determined that [x, y and z] were the top three determinants. I arranged a pilot program where we [did S], but [had a Y] and [a C]"

Describe the Results

"We were able to drop [cost] for [process Y] from [old cost] to [reduced cost] and after [x] months we saw a [x%] decline in [-ve effect] in [area of interest]."

Leverage your STRENGTHS not recoil in hopium or weakness...
BUT remember others are making sure they are better at this than you and so its important that you get practiced at doing this for every single interview because each job brief will be unique.

If you are still uncertain, struggling to match your STAR's with your experiences

Help is just 15 minutes away

MYTHS about Personal Marketing

Here are some Myths around Interview, Resume and Getting Heard

• Your interview is lost after you leave (No its lost at "hello")
• Your Resume is a numbers game (Not if you work smart)
• You must always be focused on getting the contract (Only if you want to experience rejection)

Here are some things that work better, that make the person interviewing you sit up and take notice and leave you feeling much better

• Remove what triggers rejection
• Diffuse the pressure
• Locate the truth

Ask me about how to feel good about letting others know what you do.. in a way they stop and listen.. instead of feeling like you have to apologize for wanting to help like some intruder or fraud

Help is just 15 minutes away

Know Your Facts

This is not an IT interview but notice how the kind of questions will expose any dishonesty, vagueness of standard terms, success outcomes, and your interpretation of standard measures.

Would she have done better if
(i) she knew what was important to interviewer rather than what she felt was important?
(ii) she knew how to find out what was important to the interviewer rather than guess?
(iii) she practiced on a regular basis

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What qualifications do you need to be an IT consultant (contractor)? What are the etiquette rules? What makes one successful? Asks Lawrence M...
Best Anwer ==>Robert Litjens

Well there was this SITUATION...

USING STAR more effectively... DON'T wait to be asked.... CHOOSE to use STAR in any number of IQ's... Set a goal to use STAR in the first few opening questions of the interview...

For Example take a look at these common opening questions

1. Tell me about yourself?

2. Have you ever done this type of work before?

3. Why do you want to work here?

4. Why do you want this job?

5. How do you measure your own effectiveness?

EVERY ONE of these QUESTIONS can be responded to with

"WELL there was this SITUATION...." < ---- and begin to tell the interviewer about this STAR... what action was taken.. what result was... AND your specific role in delivering it

For more around USING the STAR effectively in the Interview.. simply ASK

Help is just 15 minutes away