• Linkedin
interview-techniquesinterview-techniques
Call for appointment
087 669 1192
Get in touch
info@interviewtechniques.ie
  • About
  • Interview Coaching
      • Private Sector Interview Coach

        Private Sector Interviews

        Finance Accounting Interview Coach

        Finance/Accounting Interviews

        Public Sector Interview Coach

        Public Sector Interviews

        Graduate Interview Coach

        Graduate Interviews

  • Career Coaching
  • Tips & Advice
  • Contact
Interview Techniques Dublin Interview Techniques Dublin
  • About
  • Interview Coaching
      • Private Sector Interview Coach

        Private Sector Interviews

        Finance Accounting Interview Coach

        Finance/Accounting Interviews

        Public Sector Interview Coach

        Public Sector Interviews

        Graduate Interview Coach

        Graduate Interviews

  • Career Coaching
  • Tips & Advice
  • Contact

Tag : interview tips

Home /  interview tips
 
Body language, passion in interviews
Why wasn't I successful?

How to inject passion into your interview.

  • Laura-McGrath
  • October 22, 2020
  • interview tips, Body Language, executive interviews, interview success, rapport, interview techniques

“One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.” E M Forster, novelist.

Passion is a transformative force which allows us to perform at our best and achieve what we never thought was possible. It’s no wonder employers look for it in interviews.

In my career as an executive coach, I’ve found that many of my clients struggle to show this side of their personality. Yet tapping into your energy flow is of critical importance, as it builds a strong rapport with the hiring manager and influences key decisions in your favour.

I’ve outlined below three approaches that will help you communicate your enthusiasm in a way that feels natural and authentic to you.

Telling stories

Many of my clients feel uneasy expressing themselves in a passionate way. If you’re a naturally soft spoken person with a low key style, telling impactful stories about the value you’ve added in previous roles can provide an alternative path to hook your audience.

If you’re still uncomfortable talking about your strengths, try instead highlighting what you love about your job. So for example instead of saying you’ve strong leadership skills, you could say that you really enjoy leading teams and getting the best out of people. You could then go on to give an example of where you led a team through a reorganisation, overcame significant resistance, kept a high team morale and increased productivity through upskilling and coaching.   

It’s all about the why

By explaining why you’re interested in working for a particular company, you’ll create a connection with the hiring manager. Explaining how your values align and why you’d love to be part of what they do is powerful. For example a client of mine was going for a management position in a homeless charity. By talking about the voluntary work they’d done in the sector, they showed a deep knowledge of the environment and how close it was to their heart. Likewise, a client going for a Head of Finance role in a gaming company familiarised themselves with their products. By playing the games they demonstrated both their love of the product and the level of their commitment to the role.

Be present

As part of the coaching process, I give my clients feedback on how their answers land on me. I often observe that they’re talking at me, not engaging with me.

It’s easy to fall into this trap. By over rehearsing, you risk going on autopilot. How can you avoid this? By staying in the moment. Modulating your tone of voice, bringing energy into your body, your facial features and allowing a level of spontaneity.

To help clients get into this zone, I ask them to tell me about the best holiday they’ve recently been on. Immediately they light up, smile, speak with enthusiasm, sit up straighter and start to exude energy. By doing this they effortlessly make an immediate connection with me. If you can replicate this presence in an interview, you’ll build a strong rapport and emotional connection with the interview panel.

Conclusion

It’s important to bring passion into an interview in a way that feels authentic to you. If these techniques feel strange to you at first, don’t panic. Bear in mind, that when your leave your comfort zone, it’s normal to feel awkward. This doesn’t mean that you’re not being true to yourself. You’re simply exploring a different version of yourself which will take time to settle into.

About the author

Laura is a qualified executive coach, EMCC Certified with over 20 years’ experience in executive search and recruitment.  She’s the owner of Interview Techniques, a leading provider of interview and career coaching services.  For a consultation, please call 087 669 1192 or go to www.interviewtechniques.ie.

Read More
Share
Interview Nerves
Why wasn't I successful?

Interview Nerves

  • Laura-McGrath
  • April 9, 2020
  • interview tips, interview coaching, popular, Interview Nerves, imposter syndrome, interview anxiety

Anxiety and fear of interviews is a common problem. As a business coach, I have worked with clients whose fear has crippled their career development and earning potential. My clients are very capable and know their anxiety is irrational but sometimes that’s not enough. It takes time and effort to understand and overcome such emotions but all is possible with the right help.

Read More
Share
Interviewing for Introverts
Why wasn't I successful?

Interviewing for Introverts

  • Laura-McGrath
  • October 16, 2017
  • interview tips, Interview Nerves, Communication Skills, Manage Interviewer, Communication Questions, introvert

In a world where extrovert qualities are extolled, and society rewards those who are gregarious, dominant and comfortable in the spotlight; how can those of a quieter, more reflective disposition make an impact in interview and secure their career advancement.

Read More
Share
Top 10 Interview Questions
Popular Interview Questions

Top 10 Interview Questions

  • Laura-McGrath
  • September 30, 2017
  • interview tips, interview coaching, interview questions, popular

Whilst it is impossible to anticipate all the questions that might be asked in interview, you should however prepare for the most common ones that professional interviewers tend to rely on.  I have outlined below the ten most popular interview questions and given some guidelines on how to best answer them.

Read More
Share
Tell me about yourself.
Popular Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself

  • Laura-McGrath
  • September 29, 2017
  • interview tips, interview coaching, interview questions

This is a hugely popular interview question and at first glance looks little more than an “ice breaker”. In reality it’s probably one of the more challenging questions asked as it’s not immediately obvious what the interviewer is looking for. What do you focus on – your professional or personal life? How much detail should you give? How long should your answer be?

Read More
Share
What are your strengths?
Popular Interview Questions

What are your strengths?

  • Laura-McGrath
  • September 27, 2017
  • interview tips, interview coaching, interview questions

Although it is impossible to anticipate every interview question– being asked to describe your strengths is an old favourite and should be prepared for. As part of the recruitment process, employers will already have identified the essential qualities required in a prospective employee and by showing that your strengths compliment the job requirements, you will immediately stand out from the crowd. 

Read More
Share
What your body language says about you.
Why wasn't I successful?

What your body language says about you

  • Laura-McGrath
  • September 22, 2017
  • interview tips, interview coaching, Body Language

Pictures speak louder than words…………………This is particularly true in an interview situation where body language plays a significant factor in determining whether an employer sees you as a trustworthy, confident, capable individual who has a future with their company.  Interestingly, research has shown that words by themselves account for only 7% of the impact of your message, a hefty 38% of the message is transmitted by tone of voice and the remaining 55% is communicated by body language.

As most of us have no idea how we are perceived by other people we underestimate the significance of non verbal forms of communication and how it can lessen the impact on what we are saying.  I have highlighted below, the four most common pitfalls for interviewees. By modifying your behaviour in these areas, you will dramatically increase your interview performance and your ability to influence the final outcome.

Read More
Share
Interview Questions on Communications Skills
Competency Questions

Interview Questions on Communication Skills

  • Laura-McGrath
  • September 22, 2017
  • interview tips, interview coaching, Communication Questions

Once an employer is satisfied that you can do the job, they will focus their attention on your communication skills.  Specifically they’ll want to know how you’ll interact with colleagues/ senior management /customers, how skilled you are at resolving conflict and how adept you are in the art of negotiation.  By anticipating questions that will be asked, you can prepare examples that show your competency in these areas and prove that you are a great fit for the role.

Read More
Share
Graduate Interviews
Graduates

Graduate Interviews

  • Laura-McGrath
  • September 22, 2017
  • interview tips, graduate interviews

Recently graduated? Looking to get your first step on the career ladder? As there is always high interest in the best companies, graduates need to sharpen up their interview skills to give themselves the best possible chance of beating off the competition and securing a job offer.

Read More
Share
How to succeed in a group interview.
Graduates

How to succeed in a group interview

  • Laura-McGrath
  • September 22, 2017
  • interview tips, interview coaching, group interview

Group interviews are a popular way for employers to assess a large number of applicants in a cost effective and timely manner.  They’re often used so to determine qualities such as communication/ influencing / leadership skills and are a good way to test how well job applicants will behave in a stressful environment.  

Read More
Share
1 2 3 Next

RECENT TIPS

  • How can you overcome ageism in interviews? January 22, 2021
  • How to inject passion into your interview. October 22, 2020
  • What does a good Linkedin Profile look like? October 19, 2020

CATEGORIES

  • Why wasn't I successful?
  • Graduates
  • Women in Leadership
  • Interviewing for Executives
  • Popular Interview Questions
  • Competency Questions
  • Selected Interview Categories – From Virtual Interviews to Promotional Interviews
  • Re-energise your job search
  • Ten Reasons to Use an Interview Coach
  • Funny Interview Moments

SEARCH

Take Control of Your Future & Unlock Your Full Potential. I work with clients face-to-face and on skype or zoom.

Call Laura Today!

Interview Coaching

  • Private Sector Interviews
  • Finance/Accounting Interviews
  • Public Sector Interviews
  • Graduate Interviews

Career Coaching

How to get out of a career rut.
Reigniting your job search.
Newly promoted? How to put your best foot forward.
How to manage personality clashes with colleagues.

RECENT TIPS

  • How can you overcome ageism in interviews? January 22, 2021
  • How to inject passion into your interview. October 22, 2020

FIND US HERE

68 Dame Street, Dublin 2

087 669 1192

info@interviewtechniques.ie

Laura McGrath - Executive Coach

© 2020 Interview Techniques, Dublin - Interview Coaching. All right reserved.    Privacy Policy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OKPrivacy Policy