Career Coaching: Job Interviewing Is A Two-Way Process

(This the second of three postings this week on the critically important subject of managing a job interview for maximum impact.)

Be guided by the fact that job interviewing is like any other form of communications process. It’s two-way process:  sending and receiving messages. Unfortunately, a great many people spend too much time with the former and too little with the latter.

Here are five tips that will help you improve your listening skills:

1. Be aware that waiting your turn to speak is not listening.

2. Focus like a laser beam on what the interviewer is saying. Listen to the words as well as the spaces of silence.

3. Assure the interviewer you are interested and that you are listening by maintaining eye contact, nodding your head and occasionally acknowledging you understand.

4. Concentrate on the facts. Collect them carefully. Take notes. Don’t get diverted by looking for hidden meanings. You’ll have time to analyze what you hear and see later.

5. Don’t get sidetracked by the interviewer’s personal appearance and mannerisms. Overlook any biased or irritating statements.

I wish your success with your job interviews.

Ramon Greenwood, The Career Coach

Common Sense At Work