When you do your HOMEWORK; your Interview game changes
Hey, Consultants!
Today Is The Day We FIX This Forever!
Guys, I have been walking you through Unparalleled Interviewing Tech since last month. On Monday this week I showed you the FRAMEWORK to respond to the interview question:
“Why should we hire you?”
Yes, I want you to interview 99% better than all your peers! In this Triple-S Technique; I also showed you how NOT TO RESPOND; to the above interview question.
Today, I am going several layers deep. I will show you something that no one would. I will show you how to up-sell yourself immediately in front of the interview; then how to build your credibility around that throughout the interview!
Today I am walking you right into the interview room; and I will show you; not just FRAMEWORK; but how to play the game live before your hiring manager.
You will learn exceptional interviewing techniques I have never shared with you before; and probably will NEVER share them again; in this site.
This is the climax of our one-month-plus journey together; into the interviewer’s head. So, this being the last elite material in my GYIH Free Mini Course; I want to give you an interviewing experience like no other!
We are taking a role-play here; and I will show you how the average interview does it in the dream-job interview. Then we will immediately shift gears; and I will show how a top performer masterfully and tactfully wins the interviewer on their own game.
Read this as it happens live in front of you; with employment of exceptional interviewing prowess; and deep psychological head-turning techniques that the interviewer cannot resist. You get a word-for-word-script; which you can go and apply it in your own dream-job interview.
After today’s material; you will never have to UNDER-SELL yourself again. Yes, today we are fixing your interviewing game one and for all!
But before we get into that; in our last elite class…
You Asked Me…
“What? How on earth can you have an interviewer contribute in answering a question he has asked you?”
And I promised to show you that today. And because you guys are great and smart; I am not just going to show you “HOW”, No.
I will dig deeper into it; and show you the ESSENCE of engaging the interviewer; and WHAT TO DO IMMEDIATELY after engaging him; so that HE CANNOT IMAGINE YOU NOT BEING a part of the company team!
Guys, this is the art of PRE-QUALIFYING yourself before the hiring manager. This is how you play the cards. This is how you get him drooling for you!
Watch out for this; because I will weave it in the today’s INTERVIEWING SHOW-DOWN!
But allow me to set the rules; and prepare the SHOW-DOWN pro-interviewing field…
Prince’s Rule Of Thumb For Pro-Interviewing:
“Research About Your Dream-Job Company (aka Do Your ‘HOMEWORK’)”
Here is my logic 101: You never get to help me; if you know VERY LITTLE about me; and NOTHING about what I do and my PAINING-POINTS.
And we all know that!
Thinking that you can interview exceptionally for a company that you KNOW VERY LITTLE about; and NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS you are expected to solve or help them solve for the capacity you are interviewing g for; is being under delusion!
When you research about the company; reach out for friends or people who have worked there; and get to know the challenges and what you are expected solve in your capacity; you are beyond half-way passed the interview.
That gives you the power to know what to say; and the specific competency skills to anchor your qualification on.
As I have said 80 % of the work is done outside the interview room. When you do your research well; you are well prepared than 80% of your peers.
The INTERVIEWING SHOW-DOWN
Let’s get right away into the today’s pro-interviewing show-down. It will explain what I have just explained above, better. Notice how HIGH LEVELS of PREPARATION; give the pro-interviewer an unchallenged competitive edge!
We are taking a role-play here: An AVERAGE INTERVIEWEE versus a SEASONED HIRING MANAGER.
I will then change the playing field to: A PRO-INTERVIEWEE versus the EXPERIENCED HIRING MANAGER.
Hint: Notice how this Top Performer breaks the interview-room rules; and STILL GET AWAY WITH IT.
Both (the Average and the Top Performer) are interviewing for the coveted position of a Marketing Executive.
The experienced manager poses the TERRIFYING interview question that MOST candidates SUCK at:
“Why do you think you are qualified for this company position, Mr. Interviewee?”
Here is how AVERAGE Interviewees Respond:
“...Well, because I did a degree/Masters in MBA at 'Who Cares University'. And through the course of my study I learned how to treat potential customers; and communicate the value of our products to the target market.
“...I have also been involved in marketing of ‘No-One-Buys product’ in my previous company where I gained more useful practical marketing skills. I learnt how to interact with the market in a way that is more authentic; so as to not only attract potential customers; but to turn them into real buyers”
…and blather…blather…blather…
Do you notice how everything is wrong about that kind of an answer? Or at least; do you see something wrong with it?
As the interviewer; I dozed when this candidate was giving me narratives. I was bored to death! I wanted to storm out; but I restrained myself. I bore the pain of having to sit in; and listen to another camp-fire fable! But I have forgiven this candidate—though I will make sure he is NEVER in the company team!
The good news is; that was not you!
Dissecting The Rookie Interviewee’s Answers.
So, let’s analyze these answers and see what’s wrong; and then I will show you how to answer that question like a pro.
First Answer Mistakes:
- Unnecessary Repetition: Less Respect For Our Time
I do not need that information because I already know it; plus, we have limited time at the interview room and repetition doesn’t play well in saving each other’s time (Unless, I--the interviewer--ask the interviewee to repeat something)
- Being Too Vague
“…I learnt how to treat potential customers…”
Notice he does not tell me the “HOW of the treating”; so I do not know whether what he learnt is relevant.
In other words; that phrase is meaningless to me. As an experienced hiring manager; I am looking for the PRACTICAL SKILLS (he could have told me the EXACT things he learnt). This candidate is not being SPECIFIC.
- Use Of Meaning Less Phrases: Not Answering The Question
What does “Communicating the Value of our product” mean in a more TANGIBLE WAY?
If you can’t tell me HOW YOU CAN DO that; or at BEST SHOW ME; then you should just shut up. Those are just flowery useless phrases.
Second Answer Mistake:
He repeats the same mistake above—even when he had a chance to practically prove himself based on what he did in the previous company he worked.
He keeps boring me to death with UNQUANTIFIABLE phrase like:
“…I gained “more useful practical marketing skills” and…
“...I learnt how to interact with the market in a way that is more authentic; so as to not only attract potential customers; but to turn them into real buyers.
What does “More Authentic” mean? Those are just buzz words! he says... "Turn them into real buyers"...How?
You may think he comes across as a professional by using lofty words; but he looks dubious in the eyes of an experienced hiring manager.
- The I-I SYNDROME plus Boring DRY WRONG Answers!
Notice; he assumes that the interviewer will CONNECT THE DOTS for himself. (Hint: The interviewer won’t connect the dots.)
At the last overall analysis; he is too boring. Nothing he says is engaging. He sounds pompous; and yet dubious. No well-crafted stories; No nothing. So…? So he should go home!
Subtle Thing To Note About The Rookie’s Answers
Do you notice if this candidate worked on those same answers he could have great answers?
He is covering the REAL ANSWERS the interviewer is looking for with frippery of words. He is RAMBLING and being verbose. And he has lost the chance!
If he could have honed the same answers; to give the interviewer what he wanted; this candidate would have been awesome. Unless you learn how to get into the interviewers head; you will never know what hit you after the interview!
But you are better off by far than this candidate by being a TEP reader. We have been walking together since last month; and I have being showing how to respond to your interviewer like an accomplished interviewee.
When The PRO Takes The Grounds
When the Pros take the ground; everything else changes!
Let me show you how an accomplished interviewee responds to this question (And it’s how you should respond too). Remember we are having a role-play here. And as a tough interviewer; I ask you:
“So, Mr. Interviewee; what do you think qualifies you for this top position in our company?”
Read and Learn how the Elite Performers Do It:
“[Smile]…I am glad you ask! You see, last year; I have had a chance to work with ‘Interview Me Company’ in the marketing department as a [Insert position]. By the time; the company was driving X number of sales per month.
I introduced to them this [Mention] MARKETING strategy. Together with the other team members we did [A & B] to implement it; and that saw the sales RISE from X per month to Y per month the following month.
I was proud of what I did for the company because it was able to net Z % increase in sales at the end of the year.And that is something I would be glad to implement in this company.
“…And just for the record Mr. Interviewer, a week ago I was doing research on your company product and services; when I noted your website MARKETING Tag-line:
‘Get Our Products At 2/3 Of The Market Price’.
But did you know [He leans-in a bit] that if we changed it from that to:
‘Are You Buying [X product] at Ksh.30,000? We Give You Same Quality Product At Ksh. 20,000!’
…it will make such a huge difference in turning your potential customers into real clients? [No Voice UP-TURN. He pauses and establishes eye contact]”
It is easy to interpret and understand that tagline, than '2/3 Of Market Price'. And because potential customers can see the DIRECT COMPARISON with the BIG DIFFERENCE in prices; this little tweaking will have a HUGE POSITIVE IMPACT on the company sales.
...And what that means for this company is; we will be able to scaling up the company’s sales WITHOUT additional cost on marketing.
I implemented this same marketing strategic positioning; with the company I am currently working with; and we were able to TRIPLE the company sales in three months. We went from 1X to 3X figures.
With those and other marketing techniques I have used with great successes; in the previous company I have worked with; we can duplicate the same here to quadruple the company sales.
And that is how and why I’m convinced I'm the best candidate for this company’s Marketing Executive.”
What I Am Now Thinking As The Interviewer.
As a listen to this top performer; I am now thinking: "Is this a marketing guru?"
Guys, how do you argue with such a marketing genius? This guy knows his stuff. Finally, this company has got some breakthrough! I want to hire him right now!
But before I hire this guy; let’s do a thorough analysis of what is happening. We will look into what makes this interviewee stand out. And the knock-out interviewing techniques he uses to position himself as the only option.
Dissecting The Pro-Interviewee’s Answer
So let’s unearth what differentiates this guy from the rest. What are the interviewing techniques he has used to separate himself from the rookie and the rest of his peers?
- He Smiles And Tells Stories.
“[Smile]…I’m glad you ask. You see, Last year…”
Usually when you ask most candidates a question in the interview room; they go right into it (Re-check our rookie candidate opening statement). My interviewee just smiles; and starts it off, unusually with a story about last year.
When you ever ask anyone a question; and they start with: “Recently I happened…” or… “Last year…” or “A friend of mine…”; you listen for two reasons:
First: They have a story to tell; and you want to hear it (because we love stories); and then you want to know how it relates or connects to your question.
Second: Everyone else responds to question directly; only smart people are comfortable starting from the back-end! You can know right away; that they have something worth listening to; because they are not in a hurry to convince. They know they hold high stakes; and their answers are worth your attention.
Notice; that this pro-interviewer not only SMILES but says...
“…I am glad you ask!”
That tells me that this guy is not nervous. He is comfortable and confident. That phrase; plus the smile makes him easy to relate to. He comes across as social; even in a professional set up.
He is making our conversation natural; and sub-communicating that he would be glad to tell me why he qualifies; in an authentic manner!
- He Talks About: Real Numbers. Specific Action. Real RESULTS
… “By the time; the company was driving X number of sales per month"
He is very specific about what he brought on board. He says
“…I introduced [Mention] Marketing Strategy”.
It doesn’t take a rocket-science to notice that this guy is great at teamwork--something your interviewer is always curious to know. You notice that right away when he mentioned…
“…Together with the other team members we did [A & B]
Also notice how he gets VERY SPECIFIC about what they did with the other team player; to get RESULTS that are very tangible:
“…we did [A & B] to implement it; and that saw the sales RISE from X per month to Y per month the following month.”
- He Is Strategic And Know The Marketing Game
“…the company… was able to net Z % increase in sales at the end of the year”.
Who does all these? Only someone who know his game well; and who is also an expert in what he does. I can’t help but tell this guy has an eye for details. He can look at the market responses and tell you precisely; how that impacts the company sales.
This is the guy I want!
- He’s Here For The Company And Know The Company Well
From the way he responds; it’s clear this guy is here for the good of the company. He talks about how he has helped other companies; and at the end of every success story; he ties it back to implementing all that in the company he is interviewing for. Pay attention to how he says…
“…And that is something I would be glad to implement in this company.”
He iterates phrases like:
“…I was doing research on your company product and services”
“
…I noted your website MARKETING Tag-line”
I can tell that he is not about himself; he is about the company’s success; and he also seem to have a better understanding of the company.
- He Has Done His HOMEWORK And Providing VALUE Right away.
First: Who researches our company about the product and services we offer before they get to the interview? The answer is: Almost no candidate does that!
If you know nothing about the product and services your dream-job company is offering; then it means you have not interest in what they do. You are there for their money. Yes, you are interviewing for the check; and not because you want to offer VALUE. The hiring manager can tell that; and you immediately become a LIABILITY.
When you do HIGH LEVEL of PREPARATION and show that you’ve done your HOMEWORK—like this pro-interviewer; you build INSTANT CREDIBILITY right there.
Second: As if that was not enough; this guy was able to spot a problem right way.
I cannot resist him when he not only sees an issue with our company website marketing strategy; but offers a solution right in front of me.
He says…
“…A week ago I was doing research on your company product and services; when I noted your website MARKETING Tag-line:
‘Get Our Products At 2/3 Of The Market Price’.
But do you notice [He leans-in a bit] how; if we changed it from that to:
‘Are You Buying [X product] at Ksh.30, 000? We Give You Same Quality Product At Ksh. 20,000!’
…it will make such a huge difference in turning your potential customers into real clients? [No Voice UP-TURN. He pauses and establishes eye contact]”
And right there I am thinking… “This guy is fixing my faulty marketing strategy on the fly. And I have not yet hired him. What would happen if he gets on our team?”
Notice how this seasoned interviewee subtly engages me with this unexpected question.
“But do you notice [He leans-in a bit] how; if we changed it from that to:
‘Are You Buying [X product] at Ksh.30,000? We Give You Same Quality Product At Ksh. 20,000!’
…it will make such a huge difference in turning your potential customers into real clients? [No Voice UP-TURN. He pauses and establishes EYE CONTACT]"
This question gets me off-guard; because almost no interviewee ever engages the hiring manager in this manner. I am realizing this is not like any other candidate I have met before. This is a professional!
At this moment he’s getting me on board without my knowledge. I am about to endorse him by totally agreeing with him (without realizing I am doing that); but even if I would resist that; I have psychologically already endorsed him at that moment.
This pro-interviewee has used the FA Technique against me. I am already picturing what it would be to have such an expert leading my marketing team. From this point forward; I can’t get him out of my mind. I am baited!
- He Give Me The “WHY” And the PROMISE
After pausing and establishing an eye contact after the question to get my contribution (which I can’t resist but say something in his favour); he moves on to tell me why that tweaking of the market tagline is going to have a HUGE IMPACT. WHY it’s is better than what we currently have.
But notice how he does not show it in a cocky manner.
“...It is easy to interpret and understand that than '2/3 Of Market Price'. And because potential customers can see the DIRECT COMPARISON with the BIG DIFFERENCE in prices; this little tweaking will have a HUGE POSITIVE IMPACT on the company sales."
At this time I am nodding in agreement; and then he hits me again with the next interviewing technique.
- He Uses The Pre-Qualifying Technique (The PQ Technique)
At this time you are both in agreement about what you’ve just said; and when you Pre-Qualify yourself; it IMPRESSES MORE INTENSELY upon his mind; that you are the right candidate.
Guys, this is how you use human psychology to rise above every one; and harness not only support from any one; but also build trust with them; without being manipulative. This beats the “You Need To Have 10+ years experience” humdrum career advice.
People; I have always told you that there are other techniques you can use to circumvent the normal processes in your career; and beat the experienced. And this just one; among others that I can show you!
Our pro-interviewee seems to have it all down pat.
Notice the phrase this candidate uses to Pre-Qualify himself. The exact Pre-Qualification words are in CAPS in the following phrase:
“…And what that means for this company is; WE WILL BE ABLE TO…. scaling up the company’s sales without additional cost on marketing”.
When he says “…WE WILL BE…” he assumes himself as a part of the company team. And the interview starts to see him as such.
Here are other phrases you can use to engage the interviewer with a question; with an intention to Pre-Qualify yourself afterwards:
“You will agree with me Mr. Interviewer that…” or
“We all both know that…" or...
“Did you know I did that? [Use that after mentioning something unusual you did for the company in your preparation before the interview]”
If the Pre-Qualifying tech is used tactfully it’s highly powerful and effective. If used mindlessly; you come across as cocky.
- He Brings Up a Specific Case In Point To QUANTIFY The PROMISE
He CONNECTS THE DOTS for me. He tells me what all that means for the company. He shows me where we will go; when we start working together (aka: The PROMISED LAND)
Here is how he wittingly weaves it in:
“…And what that means for this company is; we will be able to SCALE UP the company’s sales WITHOUT ADDITIONAL COST on marketing”.
He tells me where he has applied this and the EXACT RESULTS generated by that little change that will cost out company nothing. Notice how he gives SPECIFIC figures.
“… I implemented this same marketing strategic positioning; with the company I am currently working with; and we were able to TRIPLE the company sales in three months. We went from 1X to 3X figures."
Notice how critical it is to QUANTIFY your points/answers in the interview room. Your recruiter is about RESULTS; and if you just give NOVEL-like points/answers; they won’t mean anything to your interviewer. They will be EMPTY PROMISES!
Then this guy deftly HOOKS me to him when he says…
“…With those and other marketing techniques I have used with great successes; in the previous company I have worked with; we can duplicate the same here to quadruple the company sales. “
The above phrase is like saying:
“Hey, you wanna have great success stories? I am the guy who has helped company A and B get to that level. If you truly want to see that happen; plus more sales successes; you got to hire me; because I have a lot of effective marketing strategies up my sleeves that I haven’t even told you!
And I intend to implement them right away; right here so that we QUADRUPLE the company's sales!”
He does this in so subtle ways; that he never comes across as cocky. I am admiring him by now!
- He Ties It Back To My Question
“…And that is how and why I’m convinced I the best candidate for this company’s Marketing Executive.”
In fact; even if he did not tie all that back; I already know that he qualifies. But he confirms it to me. And I have hired this guy. He is now the Marketing Executive and no question about it!
Do You Notice He Has Broken Rules?
Notice that “Mr. pro-Interviewee” has broken some of the interview-room rules; but he is getting away with it!
His answers are a bit length compared to those of the Rookie Interviewee; yet I sit and listen!
WHY? He is very engaging; almost a natural conversationist; but also very professional. This guy has high stakes; and so he is worth listening to—even when his answers seems to be a bit longer.
Note This Guys
When you are socially competent; and know how to present yourself as someone of high social value; and a professional you want to be perceived as;--even if you have no experience--you can break some rules; and still get away with it!
Someone who does not know what it takes will look from the outside and say…
“That is unfair! I took a minute longer and I was disqualified. Why are his answers longer than mine; and he is getting away with it?”
What they do not realize; is that; they are looking from the surface. And they are making the wrong judgment. What they cannot see; is the amount time this pro-interviewee took practicing to interview like the elite; and be able to get away with what would screw the average interviewee.
People; that is how it works!
If you hold high stakes; you can gain a gate-pass without being scrutinized by the security guards. And you NEVER do that by being cocky; a jerk; or manipulative; but in a very ethical way.
Here is the rationale: What you are offering is of MORE VALUE than what we LOOSE if YOU BREAK the RULES.
A FIRE BRIGADE will break most of the road rules; but no case is filed by the traffic police; and the rest of the understanding road users would be glad to give way to it!
CEOs , today I have shown you how to take your interviewing game from C-Level to A-level; with real interview question (which many candidates bomb). I have shown you the word-for-word script on how to do it.
I have also shown you other techniques I never cover in this site; that you can apply and tremendously change the whole game. The truth is, the world-class Interview tech never appears here; so get to my inner cycles by subscribing to my list.
Tell Me What You Learnt. Ask Me Question
Today, I not only want you to tell me one thing that you’ve learnt and how you would specifically use it to change; and take your interviewing game to A-level; but I allow you to ask me just one question.
So, leave a comment; and ask me just one question about interviewing? I would do my best to answer all your questions!
And this elite material ends the GYIH Free Mini Course. For more up-to-the-roof interview tech; join my inner circle; and I will be sending you elite materials that no one knows; that will keep you a “thousand miles ahead” of your peers!
Guys, enjoy your weekend; and stay competent. Next week we will talk about other ways to remain at the top in your careers! This year, together we are taking control of our career.
Thanks for pulling through the GYIH Mini Course successfully; and for being my readers.
Will see your right here; next week!
Adieus
Prince.
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