I can’t express enough how outstanding you were. I can see why you are so sought after by so many. The group was really energized and motivated by your words and ideas on presenting oneself in interviewing.

Drake Beam Morin

Effective Interviewing Skills

Objective: To teach you how to interview using psychology-based skills in hiring or gathering information. This includes analyzing information to gain an understanding of what is going on.

Program Outline:

Understanding The Process
• Psychological dynamics in every interview
• Perception versus reality
• Defining your role
• Setting your purpose
• Creating conducive settings

Developing A Structure: Using Decker's Template
• Selecting job criteria: from technical to functional
• Selecting personal criteria: from motivation to values
• Analyzing resumes and job applications
• Determining what information is needed
• Generating an interview guide
• Structuring a time schedule

Setting A Productive Tone
• Gaining immediate participation
• Connecting through language and humor
• Maintaining emotional and eye contact
• Helping both you and the candidate relax

Developing An Engaging, Relaxed Speaking Voice
• Using your optimal speaking rate, pitch, and tone
• Accenting ideas through vocal variety and pauses
• Ensuring articulation and projection
• Avoiding distracting mannerisms, "ah's, um's"

Obtaining Information Using Psychology-Based Skills
• Reading and responding to verbal/non-verbal cues
• Gaining insight into likely performance
• Probing difficult subject areas such as resume gaps
• Keeping the interview on track
• drawing out quiet people

Answering Questions And Concerns
• Keeping answers concise, salient
• Defusing hostility, challenging questions
• Handling divisive, controversial issues
• Responding when you simply do not know

Reaching An Objective Decision
• Avoiding common traps: biases, preconceptions
• Evaluating a likely match with the organization
• Weighting selection parameters to decide

Tools Of The Trade
• Legal guidelines, EEO issues
• Note taking and audio taping
• Learning what did and did not work
• Creating an action plan to build on your gains