EXECUTIVE COACHING
An Executive Coaching, Corporate Communication & Etiquette Blog, by Kathleen Prunty
Coach Kathleen Prunty
There is a difference between business shoes and shoes for the club on a Saturday nite.
Just because the shoe is expensive that does not make it suitable for a business interview. Stilettos, over faddish, multicolor, sparkly or glittery shoes scream “I live for the weekends and the dance floor and I love to party.”
Perhaps all that is true. You should do the talking not your shoes. It would be a shame if the inference made by the interviewer via your shoes … kept you away from your prefered job.
Coach Kathleen
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3 principles exist for a man on an interview.
1. The shirt you wear must always be a long shirt.
2 The color should be white or very light blue.
3. Never turn your back on rule one or two.
If you look the part …you will get the part.
Coach Kathleen
Listening is just as important a skill as speaking in an interview. How will an interviewer know that you are actually listening? One of the key signals that a person is listening and receiving a spoken message is to take notes.
Your notes from the interview are an important asset for you. They can be used to signal listening. They can also be used to help you shape your thank you note when the interview is over. Once you get the job you can use your notes to help you shape your 100 day action plan.
Taking notes during an interview is an important tactic in … obtaining the position you really want.
Coach Kathleen
I know that you are nervous and want to do a good job in the interview. You may have been conditioned to say less rather than more.
It’s time to forget all that. The interview is a time to showcase your strengths by citing examples of those strengths. Before the interview, determine your 5 top strengths and prepare examples for each. Then you will always have more to respond to an interview question rather than yes or no.
Without examples of your strength, the interviewer will rule you out in spite of you being … the best candidate.
Coach Kathleen
You should always strive to be friendly in an interview. After all few grouchy people get hired unless they are interviewing for a body guard or bouncer position.
There exists a thin line that should not be crossed between friendliness and over familiarity. Remind yourself that the interview is a business conversation and should remain in a business context.
In an interview it is fine to be friendly … not friends.
Coach Kathleen