Tom Perry, Founder of Engaged Pursuit, calls into the studio to chat with Danna, and share with The Career Cue audience about interviewing, four questions you can expect to be asked, and what you can do to prepare for them..

Engaged Pursuit Interview Model (how to approach any interview as a candidate) :

• Calm Confidence – verbal + non verbal.  Using “Presence”.  Know your stuff, keep language simple
• Ownership – own your experiences.  Own the dialogue.  Most people suck at interviewing.  Take control
• Results, Results, Results – use the “SAR” (Situation, Action, Result) model to answer questions.  Keep it simple.  Always circle back to results (and learnings)
• Positivity – keep it positive.  Even with tough situations, always leave on the positive with the interviewer.  Don’t be negative.

Using Linked-In to Prep for interview in different way:

• Always try to get the names of individuals you’re interviewing with prior to the interview (even if Recruiter or Hiring Manager call)
• Most people don’t use Linked In to the full effect when prepping for an interview
• Look at how Interviewers describe themselves (and their experiences).  Short/Sweet? Could be more introvert.  All Data?  Could be looking for tons of results.  More verbose? Could be more of an extrovert.  People don’t research in that way, and its important to get a sense of how they talk about THEMSELVES when prepping for an interview

The Four Questions to Nail Any Interview:

So tell me about yourself:

• Tell the interviewer what you want them to hear.  Frame the answer. Don’t dive into the resume
• Practice your “Professional Story” – You can think of me as …. Or I’ve done XX throughout the tenure of my career
• Hit the big wins.  Touch on specific(s) wins and make them diverse.
• Keep it at 30,000 feet.  Don’t feel like you have to go into EVERY detail.  The person is looking for you to tell a STORY in 3-5 minutes.  Nothing more.

What are your strengths/areas of opportunity

• Remember to keep everything POSITIVE (Engaged Pursuit model).  Even with weaknesses, it’s important to keep it positive
• Strengths – refer to SPECIFIC PROJECTS and SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES.  Keep the language “normal.”  Have several examples to use throughout interview experience.
• Specific projects – talk to results, what you learned, how you will bring to the new opportunity.  “I’m a strong Program Manager as demonstrated on this massive initiative where I …”
• Specific competencies – keep to competencies b/c most companies talk this way.  Communication, Dealing with Ambiguity, Collaboration, etc (keep specific to role)
• For opportunities – keep it to competencies. Don’t focus so much on the role itself.  Keep it to things like “work/life balance” or pace of innovation. This also demonstrates self-awareness

Why (insert company or opportunity here)?

• Re-tell your story … “This has always been part of my professional experience and I’m strong with …”
• Demonstrate passion for the company/industry
• Bring up your research for the company.  Show that you know your stuff …

What questions do you have for me?

• Opportunity to be thoughtful around the business / team / opportunity
• Don’t go basic here – go deep
• Have variety of questions per individual – be specific based on Linked In research – don’t be broad
• Keep benefits / salary questions out of it until you see something in writing