Strengths-Based Interviews

'Fortune favours the prepared mind' - Louis Pasteur

Throughout your career, you'll probably encounter upwards of 25 job interviews. With the speed of technological change insatiable - don't just get ready; stay ready.

Evolution is not about the biggest and the fastest. Evolution is the ability to adapt to new environments, disciplines and flourish quickly.

Have you developed your adaptive strategy yet? Are you recession-proof? Your interview technique will determine your future success. 

A personal note from your facilitator Vince Stevenson

Since I became involved in personal development thirty-five years ago, I have been incredibly successful in helping others. Interview skills courses are enriching.

During my freelance IT career, I moved worldwide, taking high-profile jobs time after time. I moved from Operations to Operations Management.

System Administration to Programming, Project and Programme Management, then into Training, Training Graduate Programmes worldwide.

At the core of all high-level skills are literacy and excellent communication. These two light the touch paper for your career trajectory. With both, you can easily transition disciplines.

During those frenetic years, I only failed two job applications because of a lack of preparation.

If you're not ready, unprepared, nor eager to excel in your chosen profession, the odds are stacked against you. 

To help others, I am constantly adapting to my environment and building new interests. Your education must include the development of transferable skills.

What happens if your professional discipline becomes obsolete overnight? What happens if your business doesn't survive the recession?

You need to be prepared; being an excellent communicator will always be valued and will get you noticed. First-class interviewing skills are a strategic imperative.

Whenever I have asked individuals for a testimonial, I have never had a problem with them producing something encouraging regarding our work together.

I have about an 80% strike rate of success from the feedback I receive following individuals' interviews.

I'm sure you'll find my feedback objective, supportive and constructive.

Because I work in the field of public speaking and interview skills, I am giving feedback throughout the day.

I know what to look for and how to coach people into successful communication patterns.

Most of all, you'll find our session thought-provoking and future-enhancing. I'll identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

If anything is holding you back from success, it will emerge, and I'll offer you options for further development.

There is a huge need for interview candidates to be thoroughly prepared because it's a buyers' market. Employers expect to find the ideal candidate. So make it easy for them to select you.

In information industries, the way you communicate is essential. Your ability to articulate a coherent message will set you apart from the pack.

Many well-qualified and experienced candidates are currently available, and only the best prepared will find that ideal job.

Out of practice?

If it's been a while since your last job interview, I can help sharpen your interview technique with some focused exercises and role-plays. Knowing that your interview technique is fine-tuned, it's great for your confidence to walk into an interview.

Feedback

Feedback from exit interviews indicates that many ideally qualified and talented candidates do not achieve their interview goals simply due to poor preparation.

Their inability to answer straightforward questions puts them on the back foot. You'll discover if your interview technique is not up to scratch.

Assumptions

Having worked hard on your CV, it's easy to assume that it has been read, and accepted and that every salient point within it, is digested by the interviewer.

This is unlikely. Interviewers from the HR domain see dozens of CVs every month. How much quality time can they allocate to your CV?

The interview is your prime opportunity to expand on your strengths, achievements, and future ambitions. To demonstrate confidence and express yourself professionally.

Your CV is the hook. Your interviewing technique is what reels them in.

Continual preparation is the key to success.

Our interviewing skills course lasts a 1/2 day (3.5 hours). There are theoretical elements to discuss, followed by participation in numerous role-play scenarios.

It's essential to see the process from both sides of the table. 

What to Expect in this Strengths-Based Interview Course

A great deal of time is spent examining the types of interview questions you would generally expect. 

This alone will get you ahead of the game. To conquer the panel, you must show that you're enthusiastic and have some critical strengths.

There's a secret structure to answering some interview questions. The secret is to make it look like you're not using an interview technique.

We spend time devising coherent strategies for answering tricky interview questions. 

You will also receive comprehensive documentation for review following the course.

My coaching style is light and instructive. It's also enormous fun for us both.

Success lies in your preparation and ability to shine at the interview.

If you're well-prepared, confident and articulate, you have the type of unfair advantage that we all dream about.

We will take you behind the scenes if you're interested in our interview techniques course and want to become an insider on interview mastery.

Just click on the Contacts page on the right - complete the short form and tell us a little about yourself, your profession and your ambitions. We'll be in touch with you shortly.

CIMA accredits the Strengths-Based Interviews Skills course. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a course certificate (digital) is available for all participants.