So, you have a job interview at a company you really like. It’s your dream job. Your interviews are scheduled, and you ready to start to preparing. But how? Most candidates research the company, the interviewer, and the job, then jot down notes on what they’ll say and write out questions to ask. But how many job seekers actually write out a script for themselves? Not many! They may fear sounding wooden or robotic in the interview. Or they suspect they’ll panic if they forget their lines. Don’t believe it. Without a script, you’re rudderless. You’ll deliver whatever comes into your head at the moment. And you won’t necessarily get across a clear, consistent message about your readiness for the job. As a former speechwriter, I can tell you, good scripts don’t come “in the moment.” There’s a slight chance you’ll get it right. But more likely you’ll deliver mixed messages that don’t add up to a clear and compelling picture of yourself. You have to think a lot about how you’re going to tell your story. After all, it must inspire that particular interviewer, and that company. Follow these four steps, and you’ll be able to do just that. The first step is to decide how you want to tell your story in the interview. Ask yourself, “How will I open?” You’ll want something that builds rapport with the interviewer. Perhaps, “I’ve heard so much about you and your leadership—great to meet you.” Or, “everyone I’ve met speaks so highly of you. I’ve been looking forward to our conversation.” Next comes your message. What is the one big idea about yourself that you want the interviewer to hear? Every job seeker needs a message. It’s the distillation of what you believe about yourself as a candidate for that role. You’ll want to bring it forward early in the interview, and repeat it in various ways throughout the interview. It allows the interviewer to “get you.” Following the message come three or four proof points that support your message. If these can be presented with quantifiable results, do so. For example, if you had a strong sales record, prove it with numbers. End your script with next steps. Do you want the job? Then ask for it. You likely won’t say, “Do I have the job?” but it would be good to say, “I’m excited about this role. I believe I’d be an excellent fit, and I look forward to hearing about next steps.” Write out your script in full sentences or bullet points and prepare answers to any questions you might be asked. You may decide to add a “demo” or just keep it as an outline of what you want to say. And for every interview—especially if you’re applying for different jobs, or in different companies–customize your script. For the script to be useful, make it your own. Go over it silently, making sure you have it down solid. In the days leading up to the interview, be obsessive about mastering it. Whether you’re having coffee, commuting to the office, or relaxing on a walk, repeat it to yourself over and over again. Make sure it sounds like you. For example, if you’ve written “I have a deep background in the field of marketing,” you may decide it sounds too stiff. So, change it to “I’m a marketing whiz. Marketing is in my blood!” Customize the script so you sound like you’re speaking not from a script, but from your gut. As you master your script, you’ll have something carefully thought out to say. You won’t ramble, over answer, or go blank in the interview. You’ll have ideas that you “own” and want to deliver. This will make you more purposeful. Call upon friends or family members to listen to you deliver your script and answer questions. If the interview is going to be over Zoom, rehearse it that way. If it’s going to be in person, rehearse it that way. If it’s a video interview, create a video. Have the person interviewing you ask you questions, and as she probes, find opportunities to interleaf your script. This will result in a back-and-forth dialogue that mirrors the interactive conversation you’ll be having. And it will save you from sounding wooden or programmed. Don’t worry if you don’t use exactly the same words every time you rehearse. In fact, that’s a good thing. You’ll be shaping what you say to the tone and style of the mock interview. Once you’ve rehearsed successfully, you’re ready for the interview. Leave the script behind when you go to the interview. It’s no longer needed, because that script has become your way of thinking. And whatever comes your way during the interview, you’ll know what your message is, what points you want to make to support that message, and how to begin and end. And you’ll likewise have answers to anticipated questions. So primed, you’ll sound confident, clear, and leader-like. Arley’s comments: You’ve done a lot well here. You’ve organized your information clearly and have given lots of examples and visuals. You’ve also explained the types of questions that will be in the script. However, when revising, we’ll need to look at source use. There are some sentences and phrases from the original sources that have been included in the document, though the author has made an attempt to cite. We will need to paraphrase these. Also, the graphics don’t have a Creative Commons license, so we will need to make our own or find other sources. We also might want to give a sample script, so the reader can see how these progress. Judy’s comments: There is a lot of good information here which is structured and organized well, making it easy to follow and read. However, the focus here is on interview question vs. focusing on creating a script for the opening and closing of an interview. Moving forward what needs to be done is to review the material from Week 5 which pertains to opening and closing an interview and then research this topic further to create guidelines (or tips) for both opening and closing a job interview as well as prepare and include sample scripts for both.
By the end of this section, you will learn
Introduction An interview script refers to a set of questions and answers which is likely to be answered by the candidate, it is more of a streamlined process so that they can be prepared as much as possible. Although those candidates have no idea what type of questions are asked such scripts help to feel more confident and relaxed before attending an interview. Each HR department holds a different interview script to find the right candidate. There are a few steps to consider while formatting an interview script, to keep it organized firstly, one should prepare interviewer questions and then interviewee answers. (LaRock, 2019) In this section, we are going to get a deeper insight into the opening and closing interview scripts, as these are the main areas where we can analyze the personality or presentation of our candidate. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/thmb/dQeSo_2YhuZ_6IJva6Q1Nnno_8o=/950×0/filters:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/job-interview-questions-and-answers-2061204-Final-109bcdbb88a34d1a9746a56c96d6c3a4.png https://create.piktochart.com/output/55225647-interview-questions Types of Interview Questions It is important to get prepared well before taking an interview as it is the responsibility of the interviewer to analyze and understand the skills and talents of the candidate, which required asking both open-ended and closed-ended questions rest all the questions come along while conversing with the candidate. The interview questions are classified into 4 as follows: https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/258/2021/07/n.png
Open-ended Interview Questions Open-ended questions are usually the questions to make the candidate feel relaxed and comfortable, these questions require thought and are obliged to reveal the job seeker’s attitudes and opinions, for example, behavioral questions. Here, the candidate demonstrates more about their communication skills, for this, the interviewer asks some personal and past experience-related questions. (Half, 2020)
Examples of Open-ended questions
(Half, 2020) When to use it? These above-mentioned questions should be asked frequently throughout the interview process. This will help you be freer between certain questions or case types, and the interviewer should always ensure that these questions are combined with closed-ended questions. (Half, 2020) Pitfall to avoid: The interviewer must ask the candidate to understand and answer the question, otherwise they may lose their way and probably will not answer the closed-ended question because both questions must be sufficiently linked. (Half 2020) Benefits of Open-ended questions
Limitations of Open-ended questions
Guidelines to prepare an open-ended interview:
(Connelly, 2015) What words are used? When people speak, their communication often exceeds their intentions. Pay attention to the connotation of the words used by the interviewee. Look for ambiguous words that can have multiple meanings. What is the context? The interview did not happen in a vacuum; everything the interviewee said happened in a certain context. Sometimes, the context can have a significant impact on the results. For example, comments may be influenced by factors such as widespread media attention on related topics, local news about education cuts, etc. To what extent are these beliefs, feelings, or thoughts shared? One of the biggest challenges of qualitative research is to understand the level of attention paid to various comments. What is a major discovery, what is a minor discovery, and what is not a discovery at all? Here are some simple guidelines to help you make these distinctions:
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Open-Ended Interview script Manager: Hi Daniel. Thank you for being here today. This is Gracey Katlyn Pleased to meet you. Applicant: Hi, I am Daniel Cortez. Nice to meet you too. Manager: Tell me about yourself. Applicant: I am an excellent team member. I like to collaborate and contribute as much as possible during the project. If I finish my homework and have free time, I will ask my colleagues if I can do something for them. I always try to take the time to answer any questions, especially questions from new team members. I believe that teamwork and collaboration can help create better and more efficient results. ” Manager: What are your greatest strengths? Applicant: “I have always been a born leader. I also regularly hone my management skills through 360 reviews and candid meetings with the team, and I know that continuing to develop my leadership skills is the goal of my next position. ” Manager: What is your motivation? Applicant: One of my biggest motivations is the end-user experience. In my current role as a front-end developer, I know how many details can improve the product. I want to make sure that each button is in the best position, that the drop-down menu is correct, and that each page can be enlarged. Receiving positive feedback from clients or clients motivates me to do my best. ” Manager: What makes you a suitable candidate for this job? Applicant: Judging from the information I have gathered about your company; your company has a strong work system and you need organized employees to manage day-to-day operations. My Work experience shows that I have a history of success in organizing and communicating with employees. I look forward to using my skills to benefit the organization. ” Manager: Where will you be in five years? Applicant: Five Years later, I believe that I am in a middle management position in this company, and I have a strong view of top management. If possible, I want to take on the role of product manager and then maybe take a coaching position. I have worked hard to improve my leadership skills for success and growth, and this company is the ideal environment to do so. Indeed Editorial Team (November 30, 2020) Close-ended Interview Questions The close-ended questions are usually simple answers which might be yes or no, multiple types, ordinal, interval, and ratio type questions which will help you to gain factual information. They can be complicated and confusing based on the answers given in open-ended questions. (Half, 2020)
Examples of Closed-ended questions:
(Half, 2020) When to use it? These types of questions are best while eliciting or setting a stage for complex questions as they might get a path to answer or can make them feel relaxed while ending pleasantly. (Half, 2020) Pitfall to avoid: The interviewer should not ask too many close-ended questions as the candidate can feel interrogated especially when the interviewer is not able to link the entire process. (Half, 2020) Benefits of Close-ended questions
Limitations of Close-ended questions
Guidelines to prepare close-ended interview
Manager: Have you at any point been terminated from a task? Indeed or no? Clarify. Applicant: No. There has never been any justification a business to release me. Manager: Do you get a kick out of the chance to work under tension? Indeed or no? Clarify. Applicant: Yes. Obviously, it relies upon the sort of pressing factor yet when in doubt I would need to answer that I do. I find that pressing factor will in general further develop my presentation since it builds my assurance to take care of business. I feel that I am a self-starter however pressure gives me that additional motivation or push that we as a whole need every once in a while. Manager: With what number of different associations have you met? What are their names? Applicant: This is the solitary meeting I have had up until now. I’m by and large amazingly specific. Manager: Do you realize how to utilize or work on (typewriter, PC, drill press, the 3 C’s of selling, SWOT examination, and so forth)? Indeed or no? Clarify. Applicant: Yes. I utilized (a typewriter, PC, drill press, and so on) in my last work and turned out to be intimately acquainted with it. I additionally found that I did very well with it and came to appreciate utilizing it. Manager: Are you looking for work in an organization of a specific size? Indeed or no? Clarify. Applicant: Yes. I might want to work for an organization that offers me an opportunity to create and utilize the entirety of my abilities. I feel an enormous organization can allow me that opportunity. Manager: Are you satisfied with your experience with us? Applicant: Yes. I am looking forward to hear from you. Thank you for your time, Daniel. We will disclose the results soon. (The Closed-Ended Questions during an Interview, 2014) Difference between Open-Ended Interview and Close-Ended Interview
(Dossetto, 2014) https://www.hotjar.com/blog/open-ended-questions/ Conclusion To conclude, the open and closed-ended questions play an important role in an interview as they offer both quantitative and qualitative answers despite all the case type questions asked, as it is essential for a company to know and understand the communication skill of the employee to attract more customers and for that the employee should able to talk briefly and sufficiently rather than providing some irrelevant answers. These types of characteristics can be only analyzed in the open-ended questions as they will share their personal and professional experience and in the case of close-ended questions, they share more of their feelings or emotions towards certain aspects of situations. Therefore, an interviewer has to be fully prepared and expect surprising answers from the candidates.
Reference LaRock, H. (2019, December 13). How to Write an Interview Script. Bizfluent. https://bizfluent.com/13370557/how-to-write-an-interview-script Half, R. (2020, August 26). 4 Types of Job Interview Questions to Help You Dig Deeper. 4 Types of Interview Questions Employers Ask | Robert Half. https://www.roberthalf.com/blog/how-to-interview-candidates/job-interview-questions-4-types-to-consider learn, monkey. (2021, January 25). What Are Open-ended Questions? Advantages & Disadvantages. MonkeyLearn Blog. https://monkeylearn.com/blog/advantages-of-open-ended-questions/ Connelly, S. (2015, November 30). Tips for Answering Open-Ended Interview Questions. SPARKS GROUP. https://blog.sparksgroupinc.com/candidate/tips-for-answering-open-ended-interview-questions#:~:text=Use%20these%20guidelines,a%20job%20offer. Indeed Editorial Team (November 30, 2020) https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/tough-open-ended-questions Dawer, N. (2019, October 9). Advantages & Disadvantages of Closed-Ended Questions in Feedback Forms. Zonka Feedback. https://www.zonkafeedback.com/blog/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-closed-ended-questions (Open-Ended Questions [vs Close-Ended] + 7 Examples, 2014) https://www.hotjar.com/blog/open-ended-questions/#:~:text=%F0%9F%91%87%20Closed-ended%20question%20example,are%20looking%20for%20today%3F |