Honing your job interview skills will require less effort than you imagine. If you’re scheduled for an interview, this means that you are already qualified for the job possibly against a dozen or more other job applicants. It’s just a matter of convincing the interviewer that you’re the best man or woman for the job.
The art of persuasion is a very useful tool if a person knows how to use it. It will come quite in handy in any social situation, an interview for instance. It gets you what you want within an unlimited scope, the only limit being your skill at persuasion itself. Here is a list of things to remember when attempting the subtle art of persuasion:
• Practice a sample job interview with a trusted person, preferably an authority figure in her or his own right. Imagine a likely situation and act it out with conviction. This will help you objectively determine the level of skill you already possess in handling such a situation like how you talk, react and respond to what will happen. It is important that the person you practice with is an authority figure, so that person conducts the interview in a formal manner similar to how the actual interview will be handled.
• At this point, treat the “interviewer” as the subject whom you are attempting to persuade. Gain the trust of the subject by listening closely to their job interview questions, their comments and how they are saying it.
Try to read their body language. With each word that comes from their mouth, try to determine their present mood, their general demeanor and how they must feel.
• Make your subject feel secure. Perhaps appear a little submissive to their authority. This will instill a feeling of security and safety. Show interest in what the subject is saying, smile and look at the subject as you listen and speak.
• Imitate the subject. Do this subtly; you do not want to appear like you are mocking the subject that will lead to your losing their trust. Simply, match what the subject does, but in your own way. For instance, if the subject speaks loudly, then speak loudly as how you would naturally do it. Do this with each of your job interview answers.
• Now, attempt to mimic the subject’s behavior. As in mimic vocabulary, actions, reactions, etc. Again, be subtle. It’s a general rule that people are more akin to people who are like them. Subconsciously, the subject is put at ease upon conversing with a person with whom they share similarities.
• If you played your cards right, you should be able to influence the subject’s behavior. Notice that the subject will slowly copy the way you move your body, or the even the way you talk. Now very subtly, make hints at what you want (for instance, getting the job) and if you’re successful, the subject will respond positively.
Persuasion, manipulation, sneaking into somebody’s subconscious, these are very real but difficult job interview skills. Don’t stick to a single plan as you attempt this. You’re trying to work a human mind, so like it; you should be open to shifts and changes in the conversation. Tread lightly and be careful.
Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new e-book “WOW…You’re Hired!” a job-landing system. Visit Jimmy on the web at: http://www.JobInterviewSecret.com and discover the breakthrough, TOUGH TIMES job search formula that will instantly make you stand out from the crowd like a Harvard graduate at a local job fair…DURING your next job interview.
