Interview Strategies

Learn to 'Read' Your Interviewer Quickly & Effectively

by Sande Foster, Catapult Your Career

As you know the stakes are pretty high in today's job market. A position
can be won or lost depending upon how you get your point across. I know
you're concerned about your own performance when sitting across from the
interviewer. You've practiced in front of everyone, including the dog,
visualized the whole process and looked in the mirror to make sure you
were giving the right impression in the first six seconds.

But, what do you know about the interviewer? Do you know how to pick up
crucial cues? Because, if you are observant and know how to 'read' what's
in front of you, your chances of getting that job get better and better.

The following behavioral tool is very effective for sizing up a person
quickly and succinctly, enabling you to establish rapport and answer the
questions in a positive and informative way. This scenario is one that
will allow the interviewer to listen on his or her own terms. In this
case, the interviewer's performance is as important as yours.

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Additional Resources:

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There are four main personality types. Individuals are usually a combination of one or two of the following. Which type are you?

* Directors are the doers of the world. They are forceful and want facts and figures. Key words: aggressive, intense, requiring, pushy, frank, determined opinionated, impatient and bold.

* Thinkers are logical, orderly and right to the point. Stability is important. They seek details to support statements and claims. Never tactlessly question their ideas. Key words: precise, deliberate, questioning, disciplined, aloof, scientific, preoccupied, serious, industrious and stuffy.

* Supporters are most loyal and are excellent listeners. Key words: lighthearted, reserved, passive, warm, docile, patient, sensitive, relaxed, compliant and softhearted.

* Promoters are recognition oriented, personable and a participative doer. They are a people person, but they ignore details. Key words: sociable, spontaneous, zestful, stimulating, emotional, unstructured, excitable, personable, persuasive and dynamic. Recognizing your own personal style and being able to identify other people's style can supply clues to the verbal ways to relate to the interviewer. The first step is to identify your own style. On a piece of paper, jot down the letters next to the words that describe your personality. When you're finished, count the letters you have written. The letter you wrote the most indicates your primary communication style.

Now, what's your interviewer's style? Once you know your own dominant style, practice on your friends or people you see at meetings while you're networking. These insights can assist you. Practice makes perfect. You will establish rapport more easily and feel comfortable doing it. The next question is "how can you make this judgment call so easily?" As soon as you walk through the door of the interviewer's office, look around. The clues will be there right in front of your eyes.

The Director's desk will, most likely, be cluttered with papers.

The Thinker's desk will probably be neat and orderly.

The Supporter's desk will be covered with pictures, vacation souvenirs and perhaps a sport's trophy.

The Promoter's desk will have books and reports.

Maybe several stacks of paper will be organized in an orderly fashion. Questions each communication style might ask?

Directors:

Remember, they get right down to business. Do you have a proactive or reactive approach to problem management? Hint: You usually have a proactive approach, though you do well good at reacting when unexpected situations arise. (Give an example).

Thinkers:

This style is interested in facts and figures. Why aren't you earning more with the amount of experience you have? Hint: Don't be defensive; this is one of the reasons you are looking now. Know all the keywords in the job description. Supporters: This style will appear to be very casual. They could open with a discussion about the weather or your hobbies. When will you consider yourself a success? Hint: Avoid talking money. Ask the interviewer for clarification on which aspect of your life you should discuss.

Promoters:

Look for questions about long-range goals or results in this communication style. If you had a choice of jobs and companies, where would you go? Hint: Talk about the company and the job you are interviewing for.

Now that you have a good idea of your interviewer's communication style, what do you do with all the information? Incidentally, you have to be aware of everything around you, even how the interviewer sits, moves his/her hands when he/she speaks and whether he/she looks you straight in the eye. All of these little nuances will assist you in communicating the right way to customize the right response to their questions.

* Don't ramble when speaking to the Director. Stress your problem solving abilities; be concise and factual in your responses.

* Again the Thinker has a need for accuracy, being right and achieving results. Don't be emotional with this style.

* The Supporter is interested in interpersonal relationships, so stress your skills and your ability to be an active team player.

* When interviewing with a Promoter think goals and results. Ask questions about the company goals. Make sure you've done your homework and don't dwell on the past.

The more familiar you become with the different types of communication styles, yours as well as others, the better prepared you will be to meet your next interview, head-on. These communication tips are another tool for you're interviewing tool box and are useful guides to assist you in establishing rapport quickly and with the least amount of stress.

Good luck to you.

Sande Foster is a partner, along with Sue Tovey, in Priority Solutions Unlimited, a career development company. She is a recognized workshop leader, trainer, author and radio personality and can be reached online at: www.catapultyourcareer.com or by phone at 845-357-6545. You can also listen to their radio show, "The Job Seekers' Forum", live on Monday's from 1:00-2:00 PM EST, or download their e-books, Separate Yourself From The Crowd (endorsed by Stephen R. Covey) and The Road First Traveled.

Additional Resources >>> Career Builder :: Hot Jobs ::  Monster.com :: 6FigureJobs.com ::  TheLadders: 100k+ Jobs  :: FlipDog :: Dice :: Job.com  :: Employment Guide.com :: Jobs Excite ::  Jobserve.com :: Career Center ::  Career City :: Work Tree