At the outset of an interview training session, I write down seven questions and show them to the client.

“These questions,” I tell them, “are the issues that you must answer satisfactorily during the interview. They may not be asked by the interview panel in the form of actual questions, but they represent the standard you need to reach.

“Reach that standard, and you put yourself in a strong position – fail to reach it, and you will be lucky to get the job.”

I then conduct the training session under the shadow of these seven questions.

At the end of the session, we review these questions and see how the client has done during the questions-and-answers parts of our session.

The questions are:

1. Were you your unique self during the interview?
2. Did you display positive, engaging body language throughout the interview?
3. Did you demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the role?
4. Did you paint a clear vision for the role?
5. Can you step into the role?
6. Are you committed to the role?
7. Did you convince me that you are the right person – the very right person – for this job?

I find that clients respond positively to the challenge inherent in these questions. In interviews, there is no room for half-heartedness: you’ve got to go in there and make it abundantly clear to the interview panel that you will solve their problem.

Fidelma Wallace is a Career Coach with Sli Nua Careers. She works out of our Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, office, and you can make an Interview Training appointment with her HERE. Read more from her Career Blog HERE

She has over 13 years’ experience in recruitment and Human Resources. She holds qualifications in Employment Legislation, Human Resource Management and Careers Counselling.
She has designed and delivered training courses on cv preparation and interview techniques for Galway Executive Skillnet, Galway Rural Development and Solas Resource Centre based in Headford.
Fidelma is a qualified NLP (Neuro Linguistic Practitioner) and combines her practical experience in human resources with strong mental preparation.
Internationally Certified user of Thomas International’s Personal Profile Analysis (PPA) and its related instruments.