Get Ready to SOAR
You have used your SOAR statements of accomplishments in your cover letters, resumes, and telephone conversations. They should be second nature to you by now, but don't take anything for granted. Continue to rehearse and perfect them. There is no other pre-interview activity as important as building and rehearsing powerful SOAR statements.
The Answer and Ask Technique
The answer and ask technique is used to promote a dialogue by attempting to avert your becoming a victim of the traditional interrogation-style interview. You know the one where you sit under the naked light bulb, have smoke blown in your face, and attempt to answer a barrage of questions. Suddenly, the barrage lifts unexpectedly. You are asked if you have any questions you'd like to ask. Completely rattled and emotion ally drained, you reply: "Yes. How much does this position pay?"
"What are the benefits?" or "How much vacation time do I get?" These are all very legitimate, need-to-know questions. But they are certainly not the most appropriate ones to begin with because you project a "What's in it for me?" attitude, rather than a "What can I do for you?'' attitude.
Here's how the answer and ask strategy works: The interviewer asks you a question. You answer it, in no more than one minute, using a SOAR statement. Let's suppose you have been asked that old interview favorite:
"Tell me about yourself."
You answer:
"One of my most recent accomplishments that pertains to this position is (whatever)"
This accomplishment becomes the subject of the SOAR statement that follows.
Then, at the conclusion of your SOAR statement (your answer), you ask... "Is that the type of information you are looking for?" A question as innocuous as this will certainly elicit a response such as:
"That's fine, but I would really like to learn a little more about your (whatever)"
By asking questions, you begin to break down the wall some interviewers place between you and themselves. By following many of your answers with questions, you take the first step toward creating a mutually productive dialogue. Both the interviewer and you must have the opportunity to discover whether or not this "marriage" you are considering is in the best interest of the both of you.
Too many job seekers are delighted to land a job, only to discover the job they've landed, or the boss that hired them, is not compatible. Now, they have a painful decision to make-either stay on and grin and bear it or leave and begin another job search. Answer and ask. Find out as much as you can about the employer and the working conditions before you're offered, and blindly accept, the position.
In practicing your SOAR statements, be sure to conclude each with a question for the interviewer. Naturally, the question must have some connection with the topic you have just talked about. At the interview, don't attempt to conclude every answer with a question. Just remain alert and prepared for opportunities to answer and ask.
Role-Playing
Do some interview role playing? Get together with a friend or loved one and have her fire questions at you. The two of you should try to be as objective and constructively critical of your answers as possible. Were they positive? Were they believable? Were they to the point? Did they portray you as someone who could contribute to the company? Someone whom others would enjoy working with or for? Did you back up and validate your claims with specific, results oriented, SOAR statements? No? Then go back to the drawing board.
Such things as good eye contact, positive attitude, and using SOAR statements can be practiced with another person through interview role playing. You can also practice these techniques and skills in your daily contact with people. They'll never know you're doing it. After you get one technique or skill "down pat" start working on perfecting a new one.
The Pre-interview
Arrive at the interview location early, but don't walk into the office until just a few minutes before the scheduled time. If it looks like you're going to be late, get to a phone and let the employer know.
Once you arrive on company grounds, greet everyone you meet with a friendly smile and a "hello." That person who almost ran you down as you got out of your car in the parking lot might be your interviewer hurrying to your interview.
You arrive at the interviewer's office just a few minutes before your appointment time. Why? Because, if asked to do so, you don't want to fill out an application until after your interview. Being just a trifle early, perhaps won't give you the time required to fill one out before the interview begins.
Be certain you know how to pronounce and spell your interviewer's name. If you don't know how he or she prefers to be addressed, ask the secretary. Also be certain you know the interviewer's title. Once you have verified this information ask if there is a rest room nearby where you can freshen up. Use the rest room mirror to give yourself a once-over. Check your appearance carefully-no dandruff on the collar, mussed-up hair, makeup askew or crooked tie.
