How to Psych Out The Job Interviewer

Getting hired is more about managing the psychology of the job interview than it is about being the best qualified applicant.

The interviewer is afraid of you, and you can use that fear to succeed in the interview. Interviewers fear applicants because hiring the wrong person can make the interviewer look bad -- very bad. Your job, in psyching out the interviewer, is to provide reassurance. The interviewer needs to trust that the applicant will not prove to be an embarrassment if hired.

The interviewer's fear turns the job interview into a search for negative information. So, the interview want to know if you are a criminal, a deadbeat, untrustworthy, lazy or crooked. Answers to these questions are far more important than questions that demonstrate your competence or highlight your credentials.

Some questions are difficult for interviewers to ask. Some of the questions make the interviewer uncomfortable and some are illegal. However, the interviewer still wants to know the answers to these questions.

Your job is to tell the interviewer what he or she needs to know. From your point of view, the interviewer needs to know that hiring you will not backfire. You need to prove to the interviewer that you are reliable, competent and trustworthy. You need to make certain that any skeletons living in your closet stay there. If something negative must come you, you need to be the one who reveals and explains it in a positive light.

Remember, your job is to make the interview like you and believe that you will not make the interviewer look bad if you are hired.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An understanding of the interviewer's fears.
• Knowledge of the questions the interviewer wants to ask but cannot.
• Answers to tough questions that show you in a positive light.

1. 
    
   Know yourself

   Make a list of possible information that the interviewer wants to know but may be reluctant to ask. This would include things like marital status, age, gaps in work history, criminal background or being fired.

2. 
    
   Solve the Puzzle

   In preparation for your interview, write out the answers to the questions listed in step 1 above. Create answers that tell the truth in the most positive manner possible.

3. 
    
   Psychology of the Interview

   Present your information in the psychologically most advantageous sequence. Present the most positive information first. Whatever good news you have, make sure to work it into the interview. Try to work it in as early as possible in the interview.

4. 
    
   Tell Your Story

   Arrange to tell your interviewer a story. Psychologically, people expect to hear stories. The most satisfying stories are those that show the protagonist (you) confronting problems, overcoming those problems and ultimately succeeding. Your story should demonstrate that you learn from mistakes, solve problems and move forward toward greater success.

5. If you must reveal negative information, wait until late in the interview to present the information. Information presented late in the interview is not given less weight.

6. 
    
   Watch Your Body Language

   Watch your body language. Negative body language includes frowning, leaning back, shaking your head and crossing your arms. You need to present an open, friendly image and use positive language.

7. 
    

   At the end of the interview, tell the interviewer directly that she will never be sorry for hiring you.

Tips & Warnings

• People like other who are like themselves. Attempt to use mimic the pace, gestures and language of the interviewer.
• If an interview doesn't work, ask the interviewer for feedback on what went wrong. If you did not get the job, you have nothing to lose by asking.
• Be sure to send a thank you not to the interviewer.

[poyomi]

on 8/18/2009 This is a great article, its nice to be let in on these tips. 5* and a recommendation.