How to answer a Question in an Interview

How to answer a question in an interview? By: R K Sharma, Founder – Skills ‘n’ Success As it is clear from various sources that there is no fixed procedure to get through an interview, the writer as a trainer knows that every time the traditional modus operandi may not work in all the situations. How so ever difficult the dream seems to be but as a soft skill trainer his heart says that there is no harm in making an effort and thus provide a possible novel pathway to answering methodology in an interview situation. The technique discussed in this article is well tried and tested by the writer in many of his seminars and individual counseling sessions for interview preparation. The only requirement is meticulous implementation with thorough practice. Naturally the impaired knowledge may not give a desired outcome. But once well versed with this technique, an individual will find a total transformation in his approach towards any such professional situations. It is not just reading but the regular practice which will ensures enhancing chances of selection with better acceptance over the other candidates. The traditional method is to provide best possible correct answer in an interview, that is what most of the individuals do. Many of them gets success also, we cannot deny the acceptance and recognition of correct answer. The value of correct answer will always be there. Truth and authenticity itself uncovers some of your great values and thus gives a way for your candidature. But if all interviews would have been based on this methodology then it could have become possible for every single individual to get through the process and possibly a tough task for the interviewer to segregate the potential asset for the organization. Incidentally we do not operate in vacuum; we operate in competition and that too tough competition. Every single individual try to offer correct and authentic answers to the best of their knowledge. Then why should only you be selected? What is that which differentiates you? Better understanding will be facilitated once we focus on the type of questions which are being asked in an interview. They are open end, closed end, multiple, probing and hypothetical questions. All questions are to explore your knowledge and skills which under current reflects your attitude and altitude. Thus with the advancement of interview all your responses starts developing a bridge of faith and trust with the interviewer. We have realized that with the evolution of management concepts, organizations have started focusing on the spontaneous response to particular situations and thus many a times this becomes a deciding factor for selection in an interview. The whole effort here is to make you understand the procedures followed in an interview and once the diagnosis of expectation is there then any time you can witness yourself in such situations and find a possible solution with judicious use of steps, discussed in the later part, for giving desired answers in an interview. Many times the expectations may not be there, in an interview situation, only for your answer and it is especially applicable to some diplomatic questions raised by the interviewer. There is a space between your answer and the question, many a times this space is not well utilized by the interviewee and thus in spite of correct answer the outcome is not very expecting. It is all because the available space was not well utilized. Rather it was consumed in an unrefined manner by directly jumping on the answer part. Think of involving the interviewer; prepare a ground for him to accept your answer is what is expected to be the judicious use of this space between his question and your answer. Questions raised in an interview can be answered with Z method: The space between the question and answer can be best utilized by filling this gap with “Z” method of answering. Let us analyze each step and weigh the importance of its utility because understanding is like adding value to intellectual property and reading the thing is just superficial. As clearly said that knowledge without action is of no use so practical ability is required by sharing, distribution and allocation thus accomplishing the key to success with this methodology. The sequence is designed in such a way that it not only adds an ornamental look to your response but also encourage enhancing better execution and delivery. The response should be started by understanding the question with proper test and verification followed by enhancing self esteem of the interviewer progressed with your appropriate answer supported with relevant examples and finally a proper close. Understanding the question: When ever a question is asked by the interviewer the interviewee is supposed to pay full attention to what is being communicated. This act is knowingly or unknowingly performed by everyone who is making an attempt to such situations. It would be more lively visible if it is implemented with Active listening. This active listening involves your body language, short statement or even both. In active listening one uses non judgmental statements, gestures or both to demonstrate that you are not only listening to what interviewer is saying but also to demonstrate that you, Understand the question Are interested in giving appropriate reply to the best of your knowledge Recognize the importance of this particular question. In other words active listening is your three step response to what interviewer is saying they are: Accept, Clarify & Feedback. Accept what interviewer is saying, this means do not interrupt but pay full attention with out any signal of excitement or dilemma, even if you know or do not know the answer. Clarify means that you mentally process the information you just received from the interviewer. Ask yourself what does the interviewer feel? Or what does the interviewer want to ask specifically? Feedback means echo back of what has been said using a feeling word and stating the content in your own words. Many times it is performed so as to test and verify your own understanding. It can be in form of short paraphrase with feeling word. It can be like ‘as I understand you clearly you mean to say that…., or you can repeat the question also’. Understanding reflected with the use of body language is very common. Active listening statement approaches are very delicate skills and when properly used will enhance your understanding Enhance self esteem: Self esteem is the way person thinks about himself or herself. Naturally everyone wants to think of themselves worthwhile and competent. Like other people interviewer self esteem comes, for the most part, from the way interviewee execute and express to them. A big ingredient in making your execution and expression more effective is by paying reasonable regard to questions raised by the interviewer. This respect in form of admiration, to the questions, facilitates more time to the space between question raised and the delivery of response. Thus provides suitable time to plan, think and act accordingly. There can be various statements which can be used during an interview so as to pay regards to interviewer’s question. They can be “I appreciate your concern, thank you so much for raising this question, I was really expecting this question, that’s a good question, it is a pleasure to hear you say that, I appreciate the fact etc.” Your behavioral action that is choice of words, tone, gesture, mannerism, etc. all will contribute to help you enhance self esteem of the interviewer. Legitimately and sincerely enhancing self esteem will help you to make use of allocated time more fruitfully and thus register your candidature more effectively. Answer the question: Answer the question with facts and proof. It should be focused on the desired expectation of the interviewer pertaining to rationalization of words, meaning and message. Relevant examples: This is one approach which is normally missed out by the interviewee and thus looses an opportunity to reinforce the correct answer given by him. The example shared should have a proper linkage between the demand raised by the interviewer and the benefits your candidature posses. The demand in form of question, element you carry and the benefits you can offer to fulfill that demand is what is expected. There are three things demand, element and benefits. Demand will be raised by the interviewer in form of a question, element you carry in form of your academic achievements and personal experiences. The only job left is to correlate this element to the demand and thus translating your entire element into benefits. The element alone can serve as competing stimuli whereas the element coupled with benefits will serve as reinforcing stimuli. Element alone can be used it will serve as an audio impact but if coupled with benefits then it gives an audio-visual impact to your explanation. So once the benefits are well established then they will serve as a reinforce stimulus for your selection processor. Close: An effective close is one which is closely linked to your acceptance as a suitable candidate. Closing allows determining the degree of acceptance towards which action steps were directed with a view to seek approval for your candidature by the interviewer. Every single question in itself is a deciding factor for selection thus it cannot be argued to be an unreasonable attempt to confirm the level of satisfaction for the question raised by the interviewer. And thus closing statement may become an opportunity to seek commitment or platform to add any logical information left while answering the question. Close can be of basically two types – direct close and assumptive close. Direct close is recommended to be used in most of the situations. It is like you invite the interviewer….”Sir in light of these advantages associated to my candidature, may I be assured of my selection for this job”, “thank you very much for interviewing me”, “the discussion we had today has increased my interest and enthusiasm for your company and the job” etc. Assumptive close should be used with appropriate consideration. The assumptive close assumes that you have ensured your selection. It is like you inform the interviewer…. Sir I really believe that my experience, skills & knowledge make me a great fit for the position etc. “When to close” matters a lot in an interview. It is done at the end of the interview after you have mentioned appropriate benefits that meet important requirements of the job, where close is the only logical step left in the interaction. Sometimes a closing statement can be transmitted in between the discussion, when you feel that the interviewer is ready to make a decision. So be on the look out for “rising tide” of interest which is normally indicated by an enthusiastic comment about your element / benefit fulfilling some of the important needs of the job. When we focus on some of the commonly asked questions in an interview we realize that it is not the mere answer which will work but it requires something else and what is that something else that need to be understood. You may be asked questions like Why should we select you? Tomorrow if you get an offer for more money will you change the job? Why do you want to join our company? Why do you want a change?” etc. A judicious implementation of above processor for answering these types of questions will enhance your chances of selection. Thus the space between the question asked by an interviewer and the answer given by the interviewee holds a lot of advantage. The technique discussed will not only permit demanding more time to this space but also adds value to its consumption. Every single step discussed wraps your answer in best possible packaging with ornamental touch to the original message. Thus compel the interviewer to categorize better acceptance to your candidature. Understanding reflected with the use of body language is very common. Active listening statement approaches are very delicate skills and when properly used will enhance your understanding. Email: sir.rksharma@gmail.com Skype id: sir.rksharma Mob. +91 9829462113 Contact for one-to-one session on How to answer a question in an interview. ENHANCE SELF ESTEEM CLOSE Relevant Example UNDERSTAND ANSWER