The Four Ps of Communication to Ace Your Job Interview

Communication is an art much more than a science. Yes, there are specifics you must include like listing your work history, making sure spelling is correct and that you are using full sentences in an application. However, once you get to an actual interview, there is more to the nuances of verbal, non-verbal and written communication that influences how you present yourself. Below are a few tips to make sure you show up ready to convey that you are the best candidate:

Prepare.

Think a lot about what will make you memorable in a sea of applicants. Think of your opening as your debut and start strong. This rule of three helps to give enough but not too much information. 

• What are three business accomplishments you want to share? Be specific but short and concise.
• What are three personal tidbits and something that makes you unique?
• What is something that connects you to the person on Zoom, or in the  room? 

BONUS: Look up the LinkedIn profiles for the people that will be interviewing to see what their work experience is, groups they belong to, volunteer experiences or any shared connections. These types of connections will help you stand out from other applicants.

Practice.

There is no such thing as being too prepared. And the more you practice the easier your conversation will be.

• Record yourself several times until you are comfortable with what you are saying about yourself. You want to practice until you are confident but not scripted. This is important for both online and in-person interviews. This helps you target changes you might need to make in your tone, nervous habits or how often you use the words “um,” “like” or “you know.”
• It is also important to look and act in-line with the position you want to attain. If you are applying for a creative position, there may be more leeway. But an interview is still an interview. You want to be polished, articulate and confident – your interviewers are assessing your ability to represent them and the organization well.

Polish.

Check your online profiles. The interviewers are going to do their research on you, and you want to be sure you stand out in a good way.  

• Go through your social media accounts and do a clean-up. This is not just for LinkedIn but also includes your Facebook and Instagram accounts. Those are the three top social accounts recruiters and HR teams will check. If you are just graduating, it is probably time to remove the late-night photos you have posted.
• Double check your feed for any comments or posts that might be considered controversial. You don’t have to delete everything that’s important to you but ask yourself if you are comfortable with someone who’s interviewing you seeing those items. 
  •    Don’t post anything negative about current or former employers. This will be a red flag for future employers.

Plan.

Think through some questions in advance about the company or the position you are interviewing for. Having a list of 5-10 questions shows that you are interested and serious about the opportunity. It will also help to make sure you come away from the meeting with a good understanding of the position and your ability to do the job. And in many cases these questions can set you apart from other candidates who haven’t done the same level of preparation. Here are some ideas for those questions:•    How does the company define success in this role?

• What kinds of professional development opportunities are available for individuals in this role?
• Can you describe the company culture?
• What does the onboarding process look like for this role?
• What are the top three goals for the company in the next 3-5 years?
• Can you tell me a little more about the team I’d be working on?
• What are the most immediate projects that I would take on?
• What are the biggest challenges the company is facing? (Or the team I’ll be working on is facing?)

Doing your homework to prepare, practice, polish and plan before you head into your interview will provide you with a solid foundation to articulate your strengths, show your interest in the organization and be a strong and memorable candidate for the interviewers. 

Pamela Lippitt is Chief Communicator and Owner of The Hill Street Group where she uses her skills in marketing, public speaking and team training to help others succeed. She helps people maximize their voice, creating confident, savvy leaders. In addition to leading several successful businesses, she was also the Executive Director of The Michigan Israel Business Bridge, a non-profit organization, giving it a prominent voice in both Michigan and Israel. She has served on Automation Alley’s International Advisory Committee, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Global Michigan Initiative and Ann Arbor SPARK’s Foreign Direct Investment Committee. Pam is a proud volunteer mentor in the TechTown Detroit’s Professional Services Network “Ask an Expert" program. Pam is a strong advocate for working women and co-founded the Jewish Working Women’s Network. Pam is a life-long (and very proud) Michigander and has a BA in Communications from the University of Michigan.