Do you have any questions?

Rather than wait to be ‘interrogated,’ take the lead in all phone conversations and interviews with questions aimed at stimulating conversation toward your comfort zone–areas of experience and strengths.  In a formal interview situation, always strive to come in with a good notion of what FIT is–that way you can ask a few questions upfront to confirm your notion.

QUESTIONS create interaction for efficiently than well rehearsed ANSWERS do… Your questions could relate to: the procedures; the systems; reporting relationships; size of working group; equipment; or immediate goals of the department or position.  Do not ask questions about benefits or holidays until you are close to a job offer.

Answering questions effectively

The key to being successful in an interview is to answer each question well, with strong content and credible delivery.  To do this, you must anticipate and practice what to say, display confidence and enthusiasm and show that you have a positive attitude.

Try not to memorize specific answers… you want to be as conversational as possible to develop credability.  The way you deliver your responses can be just as important as what you say.  Look directly into the interviewer’s eyes; give short, crisp, smooth answers that don’t sound memorized.  Put energy in your voice. 

Consider one of the following guidelines in answering questions relative to your communication strategy…

1. ANSWER the question.
2. Highlight strengths, giving examples as appropriate… plays to behavioral interviewer style and tactics.  Minimize weaknesses.
3. At least address the issue of the question before…

• Blocking
• Turnaround
• Answering in your terms
• Confronting or changing the subject!