Your Progress
Week 8: Charming Your Audience
How to Prepare to Charm Your Audience
Video Time: 20 Minutes Action Time: 3 – 5 Days
Video Time: 20 Minutes
Action Time: 3 – 5 Days
How to Prepare to Charm Your Audience
Charming your audience requires preparation. You wouldn’t run a marathon without training for it first, right? No need to panic though, that’s what we’re here for! Just continue to follow our step-by-step instructions and remember to take notes, my friends!
Charming your audience requires preparation. You wouldn’t run a marathon without training for it first, right? No need to panic though, that’s what we’re here for! Just continue to follow our step-by-step instructions and remember to take notes, my friends!
1
When confirming details about your interview, you will want to ask the following questions:
“How many candidates are you considering for this position?” This way you’ll know who your competition is and how many people you’re up against. Knowing your competition, you’ll be able to use this information as leverage. You’ll bring something fresh and new to the interview that your competition doesn’t possess. So, find a quality that makes you unique aside from having the basic skill sets required for the job. It’s all about being that diamond in the ruff!
“What is the last day you will be interviewing for this position?” You want your interview to be as close to the last day as possible. If there are other candidates, you want YOUR interview to be the freshest in the interviewer’s mind. An interviewer is more likely to remember their last interview rather than the first, especially if there’s a multitude of candidates.
“Ideally, when do you want the position filled?
This question helps you to figure out the best possible time to interview. Being closer to the end of the time that they are interviewing is typically better because they will be more likely to remember you. So schedule that interview last and knock their socks off with your charisma, grit, and preparation.This question helps you to figure out the best possible time to interview. Being closer to the end of the time that they are interviewing is typically better because they will be more likely to remember you. So schedule that interview last and knock their socks off with your charisma, grit, and preparation.
1
When confirming details about your interview, you will want to ask the following questions:
“How many candidates are you considering for this position?” This way you’ll know who your competition is and how many people you’re up against. Knowing your competition, you’ll be able to use this information as leverage. You’ll bring something fresh and new to the interview that your competition doesn’t possess. So, find a quality that makes you unique aside from having the basic skill sets required for the job. It’s all about being that diamond in the ruff!
“What is the last day you will be interviewing for this position?” You want your interview to be as close to the last day as possible. If there are other candidates, you want YOUR interview to be the freshest in the interviewer’s mind. An interviewer is more likely to remember their last interview rather than the first, especially if there’s a multitude of candidates.
“Ideally, when do you want the position filled?
This question helps you to figure out the best possible time to interview. Being closer to the end of the time that they are interviewing is typically better because they will be more likely to remember you. So schedule that interview last and knock their socks off with your charisma, grit, and preparation.This question helps you to figure out the best possible time to interview. Being closer to the end of the time that they are interviewing is typically better because they will be more likely to remember you. So schedule that interview last and knock their socks off with your charisma, grit, and preparation.
2
Research commonly used questions.
You don’t want to go into an interview sounding too rehearsed, but you don’t want to freeze up like a deer in headlights either. So doing some research will help. That way you will have an idea on how to answer these commonly asked questions before the interview. Just don’t memorize your responses. Practice making the answers sounds as natural as possible. Remember you’re not a robot! Here’s a link to help you get started crafting your list of questions.
3
Determine what you can do for a company.
What makes you special for a position? Create situations you might encounter in the job and come up with solutions. That way, at the interview, you can detail ways to help them solve problems! Wow! You’re useful!
2
Research commonly used questions.
You don’t want to go into an interview sounding too rehearsed, but you don’t want to freeze up like a deer in headlights either. So doing some research will help. That way you will have an idea on how to answer these commonly asked questions before the interview. Just don’t memorize your responses. Practice making the answers sounds as natural as possible. Remember you’re not a robot! Here’s a link to help you get started crafting your list of questions.
3
Determine what you can do for a company.
What makes you special for a position? Create situations you might encounter in the job and come up with solutions. That way, at the interview, you can detail ways to help them solve problems! Wow! You’re useful!
4
You can use GlassDoor or other research that you’ve done to prepare questions yourself.
Just don’t rely solely on those questions as they’re merely a backup. You have them in case you forget any important ones.
5
Practice, practice, practice!
Do a mock interview! Ask yourself questions as if your reflection is the interviewee. Get family, friends, bridge trolls, etc. to do mock interviews with. Future you will appreciate the help, and Mr. Troll will appreciate someone to solve his riddles. Don’t make the mistake of practicing an interview in your head! Unfortunately, we don’t sound as smart when we speak as we do in our heads. So open your mouth and do some tongue twisters because it’s talking time! Be sure to brush your teeth!
How to Charm Your Audience: LIVE Time!
1
Make sure you dress professionally and arrive early.
If possible, practice going to the job location the day before so you can time your arrival. This is especially important if you take public transportation. Missing a bus has ruined many perfectly timed arrivals. First impressions are important, so don’t start on the wrong foot by showing up late. Remember the early bird gets the worm!
2
Be yourself!
Don’t be afraid to smile and make yourself approachable. Interviewing can be intimidating, but don’t let that dim your personality. Make sure you are engaging with the interviewer, so you can form a connection. This will help you stand out among the stack of applications. Remember you’re more than your resume, so let that AWESOME personality of yours shine through!
3
Make answers as simple and straight-to-the-point as possible.
This way, you and the interviewer don’t get lost. If you’re someone who rambles, don’t! Just get the question answered and move on. Two or three sentences are enough to answer a question.
4
Don’t be afraid to make small talk.
This will help create a more relaxed environment and help to take you out of the hot seat. For example, if the interviewer mentions having a dog, it’s okay to ask them about it. For added points, mention that you’re a dog person if you are, and if you aren’t, give them constructive criticism on the value of cats. Having a dialogue is the best way to build a connection with the interviewer and get the ball rolling. Remember you are talking to a person and not a computer screen!
5
Create a Dialogue.
In interviews, the interviewer may feel they are better than you and have the power. So balance the scales and take back your power! To do this create a dialogue, so the interviewer isn’t the only one asking the questions. Remember, you are trying to learn more about the company as well. By creating a dialogue you slowly tear down the interviewer’s belief and build a rapport.
6
Have throw-back questions!
This is when there is a back-and-forth of asking questions and giving answers. It’s how you develop a natural conversation and build the kind of relationship you want to have with others.
1
Make sure you dress professionally and arrive early.
If possible, practice going to the job location the day before so you can time your arrival. This is especially important if you take public transportation. Missing a bus has ruined many perfectly timed arrivals. First impressions are important, so don’t start on the wrong foot by showing up late. Remember the early bird gets the worm!
2
Be yourself!
Don’t be afraid to smile and make yourself approachable. Interviewing can be intimidating, but don’t let that dim your personality. Make sure you are engaging with the interviewer, so you can form a connection. This will help you stand out among the stack of applications. Remember you’re more than your resume, so let that AWESOME personality of yours shine through!
3
Make answers as simple and straight-to-the-point as possible.
This way, you and the interviewer don’t get lost. If you’re someone who rambles, don’t! Just get the question answered and move on. Two or three sentences are enough to answer a question.
4
Don’t be afraid to make small talk.
This will help create a more relaxed environment and help to take you out of the hot seat. For example, if the interviewer mentions having a dog, it’s okay to ask them about it. For added points, mention that you’re a dog person if you are, and if you aren’t, give them constructive criticism on the value of cats. Having a dialogue is the best way to build a connection with the interviewer and get the ball rolling. Remember you are talking to a person and not a computer screen!
5
Create a Dialogue.
In interviews, the interviewer may feel they are better than you and have the power. So balance the scales and take back your power! To do this create a dialogue, so the interviewer isn’t the only one asking the questions. Remember, you are trying to learn more about the company as well. By creating a dialogue you slowly tear down the interviewer’s belief and build a rapport.
6
Have throw-back questions!
This is when there is a back-and-forth of asking questions and giving answers. It’s how you develop a natural conversation and build the kind of relationship you want to have with others.
Interviewer: I see that you were a spelling bee champion in the eighth grade.
You: Y-e-s, it was the highlight of my young life.
I: Ah. (feeling superior) Peaked early?
Y: Like the first draft of Mt. Everest! (throw-back question!) Did you ever spell?
I: N-o. My father made me play polo instead…
Y: I always wanted to play polo!
I: It’s not all it’s cracked up to be, Mr. Ralph Lauren.
And on and on and on and on…
You want the interviewer to think you’re fun and easy-going. It is important to have the skills needed to do the job, but you want the interviewer to look forward to working with you as well. This level of thinking helps them see you as a colleague and not someone who’s beneath them in the power structure.
Note: At any point, the topic of money may rear its angry capitalist head. Don’t be afraid of its devilish smile. Remember that you’re there to get a job and that you deserve a salary worthy of your time. NEVER throw out the first offer. By allowing them to give you a starting block, you see how much value they place on your skills and can negotiate from there. And please try to negotiate! We miss 100% of the shots we don’t take after all! We’ll take more about that dreaded negotiation word in episode 10.
Interviewer: I see that you were a spelling bee champion in the eighth grade.
You: Y-e-s, it was the highlight of my young life.
I: Ah. (feeling superior) Peaked early?
Y: Like the first draft of Mt. Everest! (throw-back question!) Did you ever spell?
I: N-o. My father made me play polo instead…
Y: I always wanted to play polo!
I: It’s not all it’s cracked up to be, Mr. Ralph Lauren.
And on and on and on and on…
You want the interviewer to think you’re fun and easy-going. It is important to have the skills needed to do the job, but you want the interviewer to look forward to working with you as well. This level of thinking helps them see you as a colleague and not someone who’s beneath them in the power structure.
Note: At any point, the topic of money may rear its angry capitalist head. Don’t be afraid of its devilish smile. Remember that you’re there to get a job and that you deserve a salary worthy of your time. NEVER throw out the first offer. By allowing them to give you a starting block, you see how much value they place on your skills and can negotiate from there. And please try to negotiate! We miss 100% of the shots we don’t take after all! We’ll take more about that dreaded negotiation word in episode 10.
Finish that Shiitake!
In the next episode, we’ll tell you “How to End an Interview Like A Rockstar”. See you there!
In the next episode, we’ll tell you “How to End an Interview Like A Rockstar”. See you there!