| There seems to be two types of candidates in this | | | | seconds to a minute. |
| world. Those that ramble on and on hoping if they | | | | - Action - What specific action did you take? Use |
| talk long enough the person will forget the question | | | | action words such as: led, developed, implemented, |
| they asked or the candidate that gives one or two | | | | changed, or improved. |
| word answers to every question. It is like pulling | | | | - Results/Re-engage - This is the most important |
| teeth to get a complete answer. | | | | component in the answer and one that is generally |
| There is a happy medium between these two. | | | | left out. Quantify the results you achieved. How did |
| We suggest never talking more than two minutes | | | | the company benefit from this, what changed for |
| without re-engaging the hiring manager. To | | | | the better as a result, what savings occurred? How |
| re-engage, simply ask a follow-up question. For pain | | | | did you calculate the savings? How did management |
| questions we use the acronym S.W.E.A.R. to format | | | | make better decisions as a result? Sales people refer |
| an answer, tell a story and stay within the | | | | to this as the WOW factor. The hiring manager |
| two-minute rule. | | | | should think to themselves, "WOW, that is what I'm |
| - Statement - Repeat the question in your own | | | | looking for." This should take about fifteen to twenty |
| words to clarify you heard the question. This should | | | | seconds. |
| take five to ten seconds. | | | | Finally ask a follow-up question that gives you |
| - What relates in your background - Select an | | | | feedback and re-engages the hiring manager. |
| experience or accomplishment in your background | | | | Pay close attention to the hiring manager's body |
| that relates. Give enough background information so | | | | language. If you notice any change in body language, |
| the interviewer can put the example in the proper | | | | you need to determine if it is positive or negative. If |
| context. This should take twenty to thirty seconds. | | | | you determine it is negative stop and re-engage. |
| - Examples - Next describe a specific example | | | | Don't keep on talking. They are not listening anyway. |
| ensuring that it directly relates to the question. Use a | | | | Every day you spend looking is costing you a few |
| recent accomplishment. The example must address | | | | hundred dollars in lost wages. Make sure you have |
| their pain and show a benefit to them. This should be | | | | the tools and resources to ensure you win the job, |
| one of the five accomplishments you developed | | | | even if you have to SWEAR during the interview. |
| during your preparation. Keep this from forty-five | | | | |