How can you use MI techniques to identify transferable skills?

3 How can you use MI to prepare for an interview?

Before an interview, you can use MI techniques to prepare yourself and anticipate the questions and scenarios that you might encounter. Start by reviewing the job description to identify the key skills and qualities that the employer is looking for. Then, think of specific examples from your past or present roles, education, or personal life that demonstrate how you have used or developed those skills and qualities. Use open-ended questions to explore each example in depth, such as what was the situation, what did you do, how did you feel, what did you learn, and how did it benefit you or others? Additionally, affirmations can acknowledge and appreciate your achievements, such as "you did a great job", "you showed a lot of initiative", or "you handled that situation well". Reflections can summarize and clarify your main points, for example: "so you used your communication skills to persuade your team to adopt a new strategy". Finally, use summaries to link your examples to the job requirements and goals. For instance: "from what you have told me, you have a lot of transferable skills that match this role such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. You also have a clear motivation and vision for your career change."

4 How can you use MI during an interview?

During an interview, you can use MI techniques to communicate effectively and persuasively with the interviewer, and to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the role. Make sure to listen actively and attentively to the interviewer's questions and comments, showing empathy and respect. Utilize open-ended questions to clarify and confirm your understanding of the interviewer's expectations and needs. Use affirmations to express your appreciation and recognition of the interviewer's perspective and experience, as well as reflections to restate and reinforce their positive feedback or comments. Summarize your fit and suitability for the role, highlighting transferable skills, qualities, shared goals, and passion. Doing so will help show that you are confident and motivated to take on this challenge and contribute to their success.

5 How can you use MI after an interview?

After an interview, you can use MI techniques to evaluate and improve your performance, and to follow up with the interviewer. For example, review your interview notes and feedback to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You can also use open-ended questions to reflect on your experience, affirmations to celebrate and appreciate your efforts, reflections to summarize and clarify your main takeaways, and summaries to plan your next actions. For instance, you can send a thank-you email, follow up on the status of your application, and keep looking for other opportunities while applying your transferable skills.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?