Thursday, January 19, 2012

Brace yourself: Listen to those questions carefully

Today I want to ask you to listen to a question carefully before responding. Some questions are answered quickly because the answer is clear and well-known to us. Some questions need thoughtful responses. It's perfectly ok and even wise to give yourself the time to craft your response. Listening carefully to the questions means quieting your mind and tracking what the person is really asking.

I am in a position of having job candidates in my office while several people interview them. So one job candidate may get the same question 3-4 times by different people. I'm always interested in how the responses change as the interviewers change. One person comes off in an aggressive way and most people don't respond well. They answer quickly and give half-replies. Another one of my account managers takes his time asking the same question in a more relaxed manner and he gets more thoughtful and informative answers.

Different, better answers to the same question.

The job candidate is the common denominator. Right before my eyes, I see the person being affected by the person in front of them. Learn to control yourself so you aren't buffeted by the force of the interviewer's personality or their nerves or their style.

Your goal is to give the thoughtful and informative answers no matter what sort of person sits before you.

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That is probably the best interview advice I have have ever received!!! ~Neal C.

I wanted to talk to you again before this interview because you really geek interview tips. ~Chad T.