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From: Mitch
Date: 02 May 2010
Time: 01:26:33 -0500
Remote Name: 24.131.186.61
Jessica, I can completely understand where you are coming from. Job interviews are something most everyone dreads, but which cause me a little more anxiety with my unique communication style as a clutterer, which makes me clutter more, making me more anxious and well you get the picture. There are loads of things which can help you land your dream job. Practice is critical, to build comfort, get a rhythm and feel success. Focusing on these moments of success and specifically what you said which gave you that feeling, you can envision how to achieve your goal when pumping yourself up for a real interview. Having some specific go to examples ready, which relate to common themes in your profession (ie change, leadership, teamwork, etc.) are helpful to have ready and have practiced speaking about. What is the key message you want to drive home and what behavior did you demonstrate in the situation which clearly speaks to this? Also, having an overall idea on who you are, what are the top few attributes you strongly display and what are areas of development? Verbal communication sounds like one, everyone has them and it's a positive that you've identified this and readily admit. Not everyone can do that. Asking a question of the interviewer is helpful, in order to narrow the focus and buy yourself a little further time to compose your answer. This was a technique presented to me, doesn't come naturally but I'm trying to incorporate it as it is helpful. Being concise is highly valued in many professions. As long as the 2 sentences you share answer the question, nothing wrong with that and it's probably appreciated. Aside from mastering the job interview, for better or worse, a good deal of people get jobs based upon who they know. Who do you know personally, who have you worked with and what do they know about your work style and performance? Who do they know? Direct experience says a lot vs spending an hour chatting with someone about off the wall questions in an interview. Regarding the questions which baited lengthy explanation. There are many ways to approach it. You could unload the detail, maybe it's what they were looking for. Could ask them a question to narrow the focus for yourself, making it easier to remain on task and in control. Restate the question to frame it yourself, answering one portion of the potential avenues you could share. Framing your answer for yourself and the interviewer, noting there are x number of paths, or x number of steps, etc and then drilling down into the details of each. I apologize for the length of this answer, it's a subject (personal development and interviewing) for which I'm quite passionate and I really do feel for your situation as well. Cluttering is a challenge which throws a twist into workplace interactions, but not a limiting factor. For instance, the detail with which I speak many times is helpful in more technical issues. Or not being the smoothest talker my message does not come across as strong in times, but I've been told many times how genuine my communication and how people can connect to me. Possibly there are somewhat positive values tied to you and your communication along these lines as well? I clutter, but have succeeded in customer service and management. I know you will succeed in your career as well.