How to Use Interview Power Words
Once you've gotten your foot in the door with a good resume and an appointment for an interview, it is crucial to give your potential future boss a favorable impression of yourself in person. During a job interview, there are certain words and types of words you can use that will make you seem confident, competent and qualified. A few well-placed power words will help you seal the deal.
Instructions
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First and foremost, it is crucial to understand what power words are and how to use them. Power words, simply put, are "strong" descriptive words that make your statements carry more weight and help you come across as confident and qualified. They imply action and authority; they are simply stronger-sounding substitutes for more common, but less specific and less evocative, words.
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Develop a mental list of power words that would be appropriate for you and the position for which you are applying. You may, for example, want to say that in your last job you "created" spreadsheets, instead of "making" them. Some other examples of power words are: "achieved," "compiled," "determined," instructed" and "managed." Also, instead of phrases like "I think" or "I would like," try using more positive-sounding phrases like "I recommend" or "My goal is."
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Practice using some power words. Replace some words in your everyday speech with power words and see how it feels. Practice makes perfect, and it will both make your use of power words sounds more natural and give you an idea of which words you find most appropriate and easy to use.
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Use your words in your interview. Try to slip them in unobtrusively; properly used, power words should convey a sense of responsibility, experience and self-confidence to your interviewer. Yet you do not want your interviewer to be distracted by your use of power words. Try to sound natural. Your use of power words should be subtle and flow easily.
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Conclude your interview graciously and confidently, and walk away feeling good. Using power words is not an absolute guarantee of employment, but it does give you a leg up on those of your competitors who use run-of-the-mill, wishy-washy language. In the job market, having better-than-average interview skills is crucial. Power words will help give you that advantage.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't overuse power words! It is easy to get carried away with these words and use them excessively, and that may just backfire. It is crucial that you come across as clear-headed and well-spoken. Excessive use of power words sounds unnatural and forced, and will probably make you come across as nervous or rehearsed. Sprinkle your power words into your answers, but don't spread them on too thick.
