Mastering Interviews

Are you a great candidate but struggle through interviews?? Want to speak with confidence and make your first impression unforgettable? Nausheen I. Chen and I have some advice that can help you fix that problem.?

Nausheen I. Chen coaches Fortune 500 execs and CEOs of fast-growing companies on how to speak on camera with maximum impact, create a powerful brand and grow professionally.?

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So let’s get to it.? While it’s important what you say, HOW you say it is far more important.?

The purpose of a job interview is to see if you are a fit.? The interviewer thinks you have the right skills and experience on paper and wants to use the time to get to know you.?

Think of it as a first date.? You’re trying to look and sound your best.? You want to be invited back for your second “date” (interview).???

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So how do you do that??

MANAGING TRICKY QUESTIONS?

Tricky questions like “if you were a flower, what type of flower would you be?” are designed to see how well you think on your feet.?

How do you manage?? Use a mirroring technique.? It buys you time.? This might sound like “That’s an interesting question.? I’m curious, what type of flower would you be?”?

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION??

Nonverbal communication, often referred to as “the silent language,” encompasses all the ways we convey information without using words. It’s a powerful form of communication because it operates on a subconscious level, influencing how our message is received and interpreted by our audience.?

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This encompasses a wide range of cues, including:?

• Body Language: Your posture, gestures and physical movements.?
• Eye Contact: The way you make and maintain eye contact with your audience.?
• Proximity: How close or far you are from your audience or other individuals on the stage.?
• Appearance: Your clothing, grooming, and overall appearance, which can influence your audience’s perception.?
• Use of Space: How you move around the stage or speaking area, including gestures and body positioning. This even includes how you use the frame on camera if you’re speaking online.??
• Silence: The pauses and moments of silence in your speech, which can convey meaning and emphasis.?
• Facial Expressions: We often have a poker face which doesn't do much to enhance the message we’re aiming to convey. Facial expressions that go with the message can amplify your impact.?

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ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES:?

Posture: Stand or sit upright with your shoulders back. Good posture exudes confidence and presence. Conversely, slouching or crossing your arms can signal insecurity or defensiveness.?

Gestures: Use purposeful hand gestures to emphasize points or convey information. Avoid excessive or distracting movements.?

Movement: People often ignore movement and body language when speaking on camera. But in this context, it’s even more important to be more intentional and confident as the audience receives less information about your presence. Enhance your on-camera body language by being aware of the frame, using gestures that are within the frame and being intentional with the frequency and variance of your gestures.?

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Strategic Pauses: Incorporate strategic pauses into your speech to allow your audience to absorb information and emphasize key points.?

There is a lot of power in the pause – use it liberally throughout your talk, presentation or podcast.?

Control Filler Words: Minimize the use of filler words like “um,” “uh,” or “like.” Silence is preferable to fillers and indicates thoughtfulness.?

Smiling: A genuine smile can instantly connect you with your audience and convey warmth and approachability.?

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Micro-expressions: You can say a lot with your expressions. Train your face to express emotions intentionally instead of leaving it up to the audience to insert their own emotions.?

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Expressive Eyes: Your eyes can express enthusiasm, surprise, or concern, adding depth to your message.?

SPEAKING TIPS?

Here are the 5 proven strategies to help you maximize every interview.??

Strategy 1: (Really) Know your audience??

Beyond the obvious demographics like industry and age group, it’s crucial to go deeper into your audience’s background and expectations.?

Current knowledge level: Gauge their understanding of the question to tailor your response.?

Knowledge gap on the topic: Identify the areas where they lack knowledge so you can address those specific gaps.?

Expectations: Understand what they hope to achieve from the response to ensure you meet (and exceed) their needs.?

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Strategy 2: Transform your interview response from a monologue to a dialogue?

a) Intentionally leave out complex jargon (or simplify it)?

b) Use intentional engagement?

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Strategy 3: Record practice sessions, analyze, seek feedback?

Don’t practice in front of a mirror. Practice key questions and record yourself so that you can analyze how you’re doing. Seek feedback from peers or a coach on what you can improve.?

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Strategy 4: Master your voice?

Your voice is your most powerful tool as a speaker – yet a lot of people don’t use it well.

In our everyday lives, we get lazy and monotonous. We only use a limited section of our vocal range because we can get away with it. However, when you present, if you’re flat and mono-toned, the audience will find it hard to pay attention to you for a long period of time.??

You can address this monotony (get it?) by understanding and applying the different elements of your voice to create a more engaging experience. Your vocal presence is made up of your:?

• Pitch?
• Pacing?
• Pauses?
• Projection?
• Pronunciation?

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Check out more details on this strategy here: https://www.speaking.coach/building-a-speakers-toolkit-essential-resources-everyone-should-have/#5-the-power-of-the-voice??

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Strategy 5: Master thinking on your feet?

When you go blank in the moment, you are bombarded with a flurry of thoughts. What you need is a way to quickly structure your thoughts and say something that makes sense to your audience.??

Here are 3 ways to get you back on track:

1. The Rule of Three?

The rule of three simply means to organize your thoughts in chunks of three.?

It could be 3 benefits of a concept you’re explaining, 3 action steps, or 3 questions you want to ask them. (Did you see what I did there?)???

The best part is – when you put this into practice, you only need to think of 2 things, and your mind finds its own way of giving you the third option. Try it!??

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2. The Takeaway Sandwich?

The traditional sandwich technique involves:??

• Telling them what you are going to tell them,??
• Telling them, and??
• Telling them what you told them.??

We propose a slightly nuanced version.?

• First think of the key takeaway for the audience. Tease the takeaway with a “headline”.?
• Then share the key ideas that lead to the takeaway.?
• End with the takeaway.??

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3. What – So-What – What Now?

Through this thought structure, you start with what you’ll be sharing – the key message or topic. Then, share what the importance or relevance of the topic is for the audience. Finally, share the call to action that you’d like the audience to take.?

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RECRUITER TIP:?

Remember to follow-up after the interview.? Send a personalized thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. Reiterate your interest and briefly mention how your skills align with the company's needs. This small gesture demonstrates professionalism and courtesy.?

Good luck!?

Want to feel confident when you speak?? Check out Nausheen’s free 5-day course: How to speak fearlessly: https://www.speaking.coach/newsletter/ ?

Looking to ace that interview? Check out Jason's interview prep service: https://noblesearchgroup.com/career-services

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