by Michael R. Neece, CEO Interview Mastery
1. Hey! What are you looking for?
Interviewing is just like playing darts. The interviewer’s screening criteria is the target and each dimension of your talent is represented by a dart. At the start of the interview, you must find the
target and decide which 3 “experience darts” to present. “What skills do you feel are required to be successful in this position?” is an effective question for you to ask at the start (“opening
phase”) of the interview. If you don’t ask an “opening” question you are shooting your talent darts in the dark.
2. Ask Questions:
It is your responsibility to make sure the interview is an interview and not an interrogation. You do this by asking questions throughout the interview. If you don’t ask questions you force the
interview to be an interrogation.
3. Specific Examples:
Interviewers ask questions about your past experience to predict your future performance. In response to their questions provide specific examples of your work and life experience. Focus on
the actions you took and the results achieved. Interviewers are less interested in what “the team did” or what you were “responsible for”. They want to know what you did. Behavioral Event Interviewing is a strategy used by skilled interviewers where they ask you for specific examples of your experience.
4. How do you like me so far?
At the conclusion of each interview ask the interviewer for their opinion of your background. Ask them what they feel your strengths are and what concerns they have about your ability. Interviewers form opinions based on a 45-minute interview. The potential for misunderstanding is enormous. Ask a couple questions at the end to make sure they understand your experience
accurately.
5. Visual Aids
Bring visual aids whenever applicable to convey the quality of your work. You can even prepare a few PowerPoint slides or one-page document to communicate the quality of your work. Visual
aids can include anything that you feel conveys what you have done and what you can do.