Focus

List five strengths you have that are pertinentto this job (experiences, traits, skills, etc.). What doyou want the interviewer to know about you whenyou leave?

Eleanor is strong in communications andconnecting with people. She has a strongbackground and proven success with customerrelationships. Her real strength is her follow-through.She prides herself on her reputation for meetingdeadlines.

Scripting

Prepare a script that includes the information you want to convey. Begin by talking aboutpast experiences and proven success:

"I have been in the customer service industry for the past five years. My most recentexperience has been handling incoming calls in the high tech industry. One reason I particularlyenjoy this business, and the challenges that go along with it, is the opportunity to connectwith people. In my last job, I formed some significant customer relationships resulting in a 30percent increase in sales in a matter of months."

Next, mention your strengths and abilities:

"My real strength is my attention to detail. I pride myself on my reputation for followingthrough and meeting deadlines.

When I commit to doing something, I make sure it gets done, and on time."

Conclude with a statement about your current situation:

"What I am looking for now is a company that values customer relations, where I can join astrong team and have a positive impact on customer retention and sales."

Practice

Practice with your script until you feel confident about what you want to emphasize inyour statement. Your script should help you stay on track, but you shouldn’t memorize it --you don’t want to sound stiff and rehearsed. It should sound natural and conversational.

Even if you are not asked this type of question to begin the interview, this preparation willhelp you focus on what you have to offer. You will also find that you can use the information inthis exercise to assist you in answering other questions. The more you can talk about yourproduct -- you -- the better chance you will have at selling it.

2 Nonverbal Communications

It begins even before you say your first word in an interview. By the time the interviewerwalks toward you, an opinion is already being formed. There you sit waiting to spew out youranswers to questions you’ve prepared for, while you are already being judged by yourappearance, posture, smile or nervous look.

A study done at UCLA a few years ago revealed that the impact of a performance wasbased 7 percent on the words used, 38 percent on voice quality and 55 percent on nonverbalcommunication.

Look back at speakers or teachers you’ve listened to. Which ones stand out asmemorable? The ones who were more animated and entertaining or the ones who just gaveout information? This is not to say you have to entertain the interviewer (no jokes, please),but it does mean the conversation should be more interactive. If you say you are excitedabout the prospect of working for this company but don’t show any enthusiasm, yourmessage will probably fall flat. So smile, gesture once in a while, show some energy and makethe experience more pleasurable for both sides.

Nonverbal Pitfalls to Watch For:

1.The handshake: It’s your first encounter with the interviewer. He holds out his handand receives a limp, damp hand in return -- not a very good beginning. Your handshakeshould be firm -- not bone-crushing -- and your hand should be dry and warm. Try runningcold water on your hands when you first arrive at the interview site. Run warm water if yourhands tend to be cold. The insides of your wrists are especially sensitive to temperaturecontrol.

2.Your posture: Stand and sit erect. We’re not talking "ramrod" posture, but show someenergy and enthusiasm. A slouching posture looks tired and uncaring. Check yourself out in amirror or on videotape.

3.Eye contact: Look the interviewer in the eye. You don’t want to stare, as this showsaggression. Occasionally, and nonchalantly, glance at the interviewer’s hand as he is speaking.By constantly looking around the room while you are talking, you convey a lack of confidenceor discomfort with what is being discussed.

4.Your hands: Gesturing or talking with your hands is very natural. Getting carried awaywith hand gestures can be distracting. Also, avoid touching your mouth while talking. Watchyourself in a mirror while talking on the phone. Chances are you are probably using some of thesame gestures in an interview.

5.Don’t fidget: There is nothing worse than someone playing with his or her hair, clicking apen top, tapping a foot or unconsciously touching parts of the body.

Preparing what you have to say is important, but practicing how you will say it isimperative. The nonverbal message can speak louder than the verbal message you aresending.