Power and influence are commonly associated with political circles but in simple terms it means practicing authority and control on a subject. Did you know that this is a very important aspect of an interview? If you have been a keen follower of our articles, then by now you know that you can influence the outcome of an interview. If you really want a job and you have all the tenets that are required to nail the interview, then the ball is in your court. Today let us look at how you have the power to influence the outcome of an interview and if you have enough confidence then any job you want will be yours. Do not be surprised that even people already in the job market do not posses this very important aspect.
The classical thinking is that in an interview situation the interviewer has the authority and the power and the interviewee is the weaker one. Yet, the truth of the matter is that the situation is quite different. The interviewer controls the length of the interview, the questions asked and his/her own behavior, but the interviewer has no control over the outcome of the interview. The interviewer does not have in-depth prior knowledge about the job applicant, his/her past performance, his/her salient characteristics, is he/she a team player, etc.
There is always a controversy of time versus notion in any interview. Within the space of a few minutes the interviewer is required to assess a candidate and this is a complicated mission to accomplish. Hence, the notion that the interviewer has all the information, is aware of everything and controls the interview is misleading and untrue.
The truth of the matter is that the interviewer has control only over very few aspects of an interview like:
- The questions asked.
- The length of the interview.
- Their own behavior.
These are the three things that the interviewer has control over. At least 83% of the control, power and influence go to the interviewee. In a normal interview setting and if the interviewee is confident enough, an answer to a specific question literally influences the next question. If you are a good student, then you will determine the next question with a lot of accuracy.
Behavior is also a very important part of an interview. I have been an interviewer for long to know that in interviews especially those informational in nature will be directed by the mannerisms of the interviewee. It is the interviewee, rather than the interviewer, that determines the outcome of an interview by choosing to behave in a certain manner and by the nature and content of his/her responses. As an interviewee you can determine and set the following:
- The content of your responses, what you choose to emphasize and what not.
- The tone of your voice and the pace at which you talk
- Your progression – will you be optimistic, pessimistic or lack confidence?
- Your appearance.
- Your attitude towards the interviewer.
- The extent to which you are assertive.
- Your ability to focus on your positive and effective skills at work.
In a nutshell, you have the power to influence the outcome of the interview. Your behavior and your responses to the questions asked determine if you get that job or not. Take advantage of the opportunity you are given and present yourself in a concise and professional manner.
You should by all means avoid confrontation with the interviewer over issues that are beyond your control such as the type of questions asked, the interviewers' attitude towards you, whether the interviewer is friendly or not.
These elements are in the interviewers' hands and it is wrong for you to try and influence them.
All the best from HCC
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