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submitted: Jul 20th 2008 | by: Cindy - Administrator | Total views: 8 | Word Count: 655 | |

By Ogo Ogbata

The following tips will give you an edge at subsequent behavioral interviews:

1. Be Personable - If the job in question requires people skills (and most jobs do) then your behavioral interviewers will want to see your friendly nature for themselves. Don't go over the top however, just be polite and confident, listening attentively and emphasizing similarities whilst building rapport. For instance, if an interviewer has just had a baby, extend your congratulations and ask how he or she is coping with the change in lifestyle. If you have recently had a baby yourself, briefly share experiences that the interviewer may find humorous and helpful. Make sure you refer to your rapport building skills in the course of the behavioral interview. For instance, if asked tell us about a time when you were able to build rapport quickly under difficult situations you can confidently say that despite feeling quite nervous you made effort to interact with your interviewers earlier on.

2. Ask Questions - Candidates who fail to ask questions of their own often come across as timid and disinterested. After giving a good account of yourself, find out if the job is really a great match for you by asking the interviewers some behavioral questions too. Good questions to ask each interviewer are: How did you come to work for this company and what have you enjoyed the most so far? How many hours a week do you put into this job and what have been your biggest challenges yet? In what ways have the company rewarded hard work and initiative of recent? It is also a great idea to ask your interviewers if they would be willing to offer you some feedback on your interview performance at a later date. If you manage to build good rapport and express genuine interest in the company, many interviewers would be more than happy to oblige.

3. Summarize Key Points - Be creative if you want to stand out from your competitors. Remember that employers want to hire multi talented people who will add long term value to their organizations. At the end of your behavioral interview, recap by summarizing the talents and behaviors that equip you for the role as well as the values and ethics that will enable you fit well into the company. Some candidates even go as far as preparing power-point presentations that demonstrate their competence and show how their long term goals fit in with the prospective employer's. At the end of the interview, thank your interviewers for their time and say how much you look forward to hearing from them with regard to your performance.

4. Follow Up - Don't leave the interview room without a contact name and direct telephone number you can use for follow up purposes. However, make sure you find out how long you should wait before getting in touch. It is good manners to send a thank you note a few days after the final interview and to ring for the result within agreed time scales. If further follow up is required, do so no more than twice per week, contacting the key decision makers (usually the interviewers) directly where possible. Do exhibit polite and professional behavior at all times.

5. Get Feedback - It is vital that you get some feedback on your performance as this will serve you well should you have cause to attend future behavioral interviews. Candidates who are humble enough to solicit constructive criticism score high marks with interviewers and sometimes get special consideration when subsequent vacancies emerge.

Behavioral interviews may sound daunting but they are actually quite easy because the bulk of what you are required to do is explain how you have utilized your skills and talents in the past. By taking time to find hidden talents and discover your purpose in life you will be better prepared to excel at behavioral interviews as well as make authentic lifestyle and career changes.

About the Author

Ogo Ogbata is a multi-talented writer, speaker and consultant. Author of the forthcoming non fiction title, 'Creativity and Sense: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love', she empowers people to find hidden talents, discover their purpose and create financially rewarding work that allows time and energy for what matters most in life. She also helps entrepreneurs get more fulfillment and profit out of their businesses. CLICK HERE to receive 2 Free Gifts when you sign up for a series of motivational articles, success stories and powerful strategies guaranteed to help you create the lifestyle and career of your dreams. You can also CLICK HERE to read more tips and strategies for excelling at Behavioral Interviews. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ogo_Ogbata

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