Hello! You are logged in! Happy studying!
Balance:Your credits: 12 Free Credits
Login Problem: Try again
Forgot your password?
English Interview Strategy Mini-Course
Part 1
Preparation & Approach Part 2
Your Minimal Objectives Part 3
Your Optimal Objectives Part 4
Structuring Your Answers
Preparation & Approach Part 2
Your Minimal Objectives Part 3
Your Optimal Objectives Part 4
Structuring Your Answers
Part 3: Your OPTIMAL Interview Objectives
3.1
Features & Benefits
"Sell me this pen"
Why...
No one buys shoes
...really.
People don't buy shoes. They are buying a way to protect their feet, or to look stylish, or to keep their feet warm, or to run faster, or whatever. The 'shoe' is secondary - it is the means to get what I really want. The reason to buy was the benefit of the shoe, not the shoe.
In an interview, unfortunately, you need to sell yourself. So you need to sell the benefits of you, not the skills of you.
You need to concentrate on the benefits you offer the company, your 'features' (skills) will not sell you - to sell yourself you need to explicitly say how you will make things better, don't expect them to 'know' how you will make things better. You need them to understand HOW the job, the team, the company will benefit from you in the role.
Here is a video I recommend!
Another Expert's View:
Natalie Fisher
Top Tip: Put on the subtitles! closed_caption
Key Takeaway:
Be clear about why you are such a great candidate for the job.
3.2
The Benefit of You in This Job
Show them you can be a JOB HERO
What does...
JOB HERO
...mean?
JOB HERO means that you have shown yourself to be a potential 'game-changer' in the role, team and department. In the interview process it would be an optimal impression to create with a potential employer. They would feel they "need" you.
You have shown that as a potential Job Hero your placement in the role would have a positive impact on many people around you. This could be in terms of quantity of work, quality of work, helping others, speed of work, hitting team budgets etc. It is far more than simply showing you have Skills Fit - which is the minimum requirement for the job role. A Job Hero's impact goes beyond the direct responsibilities.
Basically (in terms of their company): You have shown that you are a potentially 'must have choice' to fill the job role and activity. They feel that the people working around you would benefit greatly by you getting the job.
Example Ways to be a JOB HERO
- fiber_manual_recordYou are great at difficult tasks
- fiber_manual_recordYour colleagues can get your help easily and the help is valuable
- fiber_manual_recordYou make your boss hit their targets
- fiber_manual_recordYou make your team hit their targets
- fiber_manual_recordYou don't hold up other people's work
- fiber_manual_recordYou are happy to take on extra responsibilities
- fiber_manual_recordYou are reliable and even exceed expectations
- fiber_manual_recordYou are flexible and gracious with it
- fiber_manual_recordEtc...
Here is a video I recommend!
Another Expert's View:
Richard McMunn
Top Tip: Put on the subtitles! closed_caption
Key Takeaway:
In the interview it is up to the candidate to show why they are the best candidate & the interviewer will give you the chance to tell them!
3.3
The Benefit of You in This Company
Show them you can be a COMPANY HERO
What does...
COMPANY HERO
...mean?
COMPANY HERO means that you have shown yourself to be a potentially great asset to the company in general. It would be an optimal impression to create with a potential employer during the interview process.
You have shown that as a potential Company Hero your placement in the role would have a positive impact far greater than in your job and direct team. It would mean that you have shown yourself to be able to directly help the company, department or team's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) - such as making money or saving money.
Basically (in terms of their company): You have shown that you are a potentially 'must have choice' to be part of the company. They feel that hiring you would directly benefit the company as a whole.
Example Ways to be a COMPANY HERO
- fiber_manual_recordYou directly improve the department Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- fiber_manual_recordYou generate profit
- fiber_manual_recordYou save expenditure
- fiber_manual_recordYou complete difficult departmental/team projects
- fiber_manual_recordYou are able to positively assist most areas of the department/team
- fiber_manual_recordYou directly improve the company Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- fiber_manual_recordYou generate profit
- fiber_manual_recordYou save expenditure
- fiber_manual_recordYou complete difficult company wide, cross-organizational, projects
- fiber_manual_recordYou build teams and improve culture
- fiber_manual_recordYou improve cross-organizational functioning and performance
Team / Department Hero: examples...
Truly Company Hero: examples...
Here is a video I recommend!
Another Expert's View:
JT O'Donnell
Top Tip: Put on the subtitles! closed_caption
Key Takeaway:
This is about how you help the bottom line, how you add value, and how you connect to this company
Here is a video I recommend!
Another Expert's View:
Richard McMunn
Top Tip: Put on the subtitles! closed_caption
Key Takeaway:
This video lists ten possible ways a person can help a company
3.4
Key Perspective 1: The Future
Talking About You in Their Future is Very Effective
What is...
Place Yourself as a Future Benefit
...as an objective?
By showing them clearly as a potential benefit for their company in the future, you will naturally be seen as a strong and desirable candidate.
It is difficult for them to get excited about the future if all the conversation is about the past.
It is difficult for them to get excited about you in this job if all the conversation is about other jobs.
How to be FUTURE Focused:
- fiber_manual_recordFinish answers with how this applies to future performance.
- "...this particular certification is something which will really help me perform better in the future in positions exactly like this one."
- fiber_manual_recordDirectly say how this past story is similar to future actions in this job.
- "...and I would apply the same logic and procedures if I was doing this job here."
- fiber_manual_recordAsk them directly about their future plans and current problems and offer them solutions, ideas or empathy about what this means for them.
- "What current, or future, problems do you see this position having to deal with in the near future?"..[their answer].."If I can say, I think that is something I have personally faced before when I...."
Here is a video I recommend!
Another Expert's View:
Andrew LaCivita
Top Tip: Put on the subtitles! closed_caption
Key Takeaway:
Take them into the future so you can guide the interview towards seeing a succesful future together.
3.5
Key Perspective 2: Emotions
We are Ruled by Emotions
What is...
Create the Right Emotions
...as an objective?
Emotions are such an important element in any 'buying' decision, your whole approach (in terms of dress, language, attitude, communication style etc) must be orientated towards creating the right 'feeling' in your potential employers.
Emotions in terms of Your Interview Objectives:
- SKILLS FIT = feeling of TRUST (minimal)
- JOB HERO = a feeling of TRUST, CALMNESS and RELIEF (optimal)
- CULTURE FIT = a feeling of MEMBERSHIP: "one of us" (minimal)
- COMPANY HERO = a feeling of MEMEBERSHIP, Protection/Salvation, GUIDANCE (optimal)
Here is a video I recommend!
Another Expert's View:
Margaret Buj
Top Tip: Put on the subtitles! closed_caption
Key Takeaway:
Creating a rapport with an interviewer is a fundamental technique to interview well
3.6
Key Perspective 3: Your Boss
What Motivates Your Potential Boss?
What is...
What Would Really Excite Your Boss?
...as an objective?
We have looked at this before, but it really cannot be under-estimated, you need to appeal to your boss in a way that makes them 'personally' excited about hiring you. It could be more money for them, less stress, a higher company profile, the ability to grow a larger team etc. Really try and grasp the single most important factor and try and prove that you can help them achieve it.
English Interview Strategy Mini-Course
About Native Listener Founder
About Native Listener Founder
TESOL English Teaching Certificate
Chartered Institute of Marketing Certification
- Sister sites:
- EnglishAdam .com
- LearnProsody .com
- Populang .com