Page 49 - You're Hired! Interview Answers

You’Re hiRed! inteRview
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anSweRS “How formal or how open and friendly do I appear – particularly in the
pressure of an interview situation?”
It is surprising how easy it is to appear overly stern at interview! It comes
from concentration and from listening hard – the result being that we frown
and our faces end up being less mobile than normal. Once again, care is
needed in trying to modify this kind of behaviour – after all, sitting through an
interview with a grin glued to one’s face is less than helpful – but it does help
to be aware of your ‘natural’ impact and whether it is likely to be an asset or
a potential risk. Once again, this kind of preparation needs to be done well in
advance.
assets and risks in terms of the job
Your research into the competencies needed for the role comes into its own
here; again, we would suggest using the ‘task, thought, people’ model as a
way of checking – in broad terms – how your experience, skills, competencies
and personal attributes map onto the organisation’s requirements. We have
already talked about how to use this model during the interview, but it is also
worth using it as a way of getting a broad picture of where you are likely to be
perceived as relatively strong or weak in terms of their criteria. So ask yourself:
n Am I likely to come over as a TASK person? Is a lot of my experience about
operational delivery; are my best examples about driving things through
against deadlines; do I find it easiest to talk about delivery, plans and
targets?
n Am I likely to come over as a THOUGHT person? Is a lot of my experience
about developing ideas or strategy; are my best examples about creativity
and innovation; do I find it easiest to talk about analysis, judgement and
insight?
n Am I likely to come over as a PEOPLE person? Is a lot of my experience
about getting results through others and developing people; are my best
examples about communication and engagement; do I find it easiest to talk
about influencing, coaching and collaborating?
For most of us, as we have seen, one or two of these areas tend to be more
highly developed than the others, often because of our natural preferences
or our experience. But it is worth giving some thought to how your natural
preferences are likely to come to the fore during the interview. If, for example,