Topics Covered in the Book

The book is formatted as a self-paced workbook and is divided into seven chapters. Each chapter has specific objectives which are covered in detail. At the end of each chapter, are exercises to reinforce your learning experience.

The book is broken into three basic areas:

1. The Introduction and Foundation of the Interview Process
2. Strategies for Answering Interview Questions
3. Strategies for Asking Questions During the Interview

The Introduction and Foundation of the Interview Process

Chapter 1: Finding the jigsaw puzzle piece that fits

• The foundation of the interview is laid out. The interview is presented from a personal perspective. You are provided an overview of your responsibility in guiding the interview to its successful fruition – a job offer.

Chapter 2: Interview categories and question types

• Interviews are presented in understandable categories. Structured and Unstructured interview types are defined. Open-ended, Closed-ended, Situational, Behavioral, and Stress Questions are defined and illustrated in detail.
• You will learn how to stay focused and present only relevant information.

Strategies for Answering Interview Questions

Chapter 3: Responding to questions with panache

• You will learn how to prepare and respond to the different types of questions introduced in Chapter 2. A variety of Open-ended, Closed-ended, and Stress questions are covered.
• You will learn how to effectively outline a favorable response to the “Tell me about yourself question.”
• You will learn the two rules of answering open-ended questions.
• You will be introduced to the AQA Interview Strategy. The AQA strategy is used as a guide to answering open-ended questions. The strategy utilizes checkpoints to assure you don’t head down the wrong path when answering these types of questions.
• You will learn how to answer questions by connecting A-B-C. This strategy provides a template for answering questions by defining the situation, stating your specific actions, and then explaining the result.

Chapter 4: Making yourself three-dimensional

• You will be introduced to the MOM Interviewing Strategy. The MOM Strategy provides ways to modify your answers to be more descriptive and add impact to your presentation.
• You will be introduced to the DAD Interviewing Strategy. The DAD Strategy outlines your duties, accomplishments, and benefits to the company.
• You will learn how to help the hiring manager envision you for the job . By utilizing the Career Survey Sheets, you will learn how to make yourself “three-dimensional.”
• You will learn the critical importance of time management. You will learn how to critically think about past positions vs. your future position.
• You will learn how to influence the hiring manager to guide you strategically through the interview process.

Chapter 5: Creating memory triggers

• You will learn how to effectively mine data from the Career Survey Sheets to create outlines to answer questions.
• You will learn how to positively influence the hiring manager through powerful career stories. By utilizing the Career Survey Sheets, you will learn how to create “memory triggers.

Strategies for Asking Questions

Chapter 6: Asking questions to secure the position

• Your will learn techniques for asking questions that will transform the meeting from an “interview” into a “conversation.”
• You will learn to build an inventory of questions to ask during the interview process. You will learn how questions build rapport.

Chapter 7: Uncovering hidden hiring objections

• You will learn a 3-step strategy to uncover hiring objections.
• You will learn how to positively respond to “put-offs.”
• You will learn how to effectively neutralize hiring concerns.
• You will learn how to improve your “Interview Scorecard.”