Page 73 - Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills: A Guide for Professionals

professional may say, “I’ll stop by to see you tomorrow.” With a client, arrangements for a future appointment
may be made: “When can we meet again to discuss your progress and questions?” To make sure that each has
understood the other, plans may be paraphrased. People tend to remember the last thing said.

For job applicants, one may inquire if here are questions and advocate for one’s firm, if appropriate. For
those who do not meet requirements, thank them, but mention that there are other candidates.4 As a courtesy
to job applicants, they should be told approximately when the employment decision will be made and how
they will be notified if selected, as for example, “We are interviewing additional candidates for this position,
but if you are selected, you’ll hear from human resources in about a week or two. Thank you for coming and
for your interest in our company.”

Closing the interview.

One may signal the close of the interview nonverbally by breaking eye contact, pushing back the chair,
standing up, offering to shake hands, smiling, and walking the interviewee to the door.3

The interview session should be followed by a self-evaluation to determine areas that went well, as well as
those that could be improved for the next interview. Questions one may ask include the following:

• How effective was the atmosphere? Was it relaxed and informal with good rapport?
• How effective was my interview opening?
• How effective were my questions in obtaining information I needed?
• How effective were my responses to the person’s statements?
• How nonjudgmental and empathic was I?
• How effective was my interview closing?
• How much time did I listen versus talk?

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