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How to improve your interviewing skills
1. Quotable quote
"Skill as an interviewer depends on two factors: an ability to ask the right questions in the right words and a talent for listening and understanding what is said. Although many managers do not realise it, an interviewer is in the spotlight much more than the person being interviewed… Yet, strangely, too many executives are amateur interviewers, and they make little effort to improve themselves."
2. Smile & ponder
US recruiting expert Robert Half has collected a wealth of the world’s most bizarre interview encounters, among which he lists:
- ‘Applicant walked in and asked why he was here.’
- ‘When asked about his loyalty, showed a tattoo of his girlfriend’s name.’
- ‘Took three mobile phone calls. Said she has a similar business on the side.’
- ‘Arrived with a snake around her neck. Said she took her pet everywhere.’
- ‘Said that if he was hired, he’d teach me ballroom dancing at no charge - and started demonstrating.’
3. Research says
Recent research reveals just how inherently unreliable interviews can be:
- An average candidate who follows several poor candidates is invariably seen as particularly good.
- Physically attractive and well-groomed candidates are more likely to be appointed - even though they might not have been the best on paper. …
