29JunHow to create ‘Cut Through’ with your interview.
Posted on 29/06/2017 by Nine2Three
In my role as Managing Director of 923|Recruitment & HR, I often give presentations, be they Power Point, pitching verbally to a room of people, or a meeting about a strategic alliance in a coffee shop.
So I love to read articles about better pitching methods, and while I have been doing it for a long time now (over 14 years for Nine2Three this year – in case you didn’t know!) I never stop searching for new ideas to generate ‘cut through’.
You know, ‘cut through’, that elusive thing that gets your email read, your proposal considered, your interview granted. As marketing changes, so does the correct formula for ‘cut through’. For example, some people say that cut through can come now from the Post, as nobody sends anything via snail mail any more, but previously this was not the case.
As you would know, I have vast experience in recruiting; have interviewed hundreds of candidates over the years from entry level workers through to executives. Cut through is extremely important to these candidates in order to get that interview. If the resume is not well developed and matched to the role, an interview may never be granted, regardless of whether the person has the ability.
Then in the interview stage – what do you say and do to ensure that you create a memorable impression? You only have to look at our Senior Consultant, Nicole Jorgenson’s vlog on Body Language to get an idea of how many aspects there are, to gaining ‘cut through’ in any situation.
It occurred to me that the same points I read about in articles for delivering presentations, are the same points I would tell myself, when attending a meeting; or tell a candidate when preparing them for an interview.
I believe the universal points of creating ‘cut through’, no matter what situation is, are:
- Be prepared – do your research – the company, the client, whatever – know your facts on your target before you start.
- Have the points you want to get across – know what it is you want to communicate to the target. You may never be asked the question that allows you to talk about this point, so work out how you are going to bring it up in the interview.
- Listen and offer solution – Listen carefully to the pain the other person has and if you can, tell them how you can solve that pain.
- Give Examples – people love to hear a story, it illustrates your point and gives people confidence that you really do have the experience you are talking about.
- And lastly, but most importantly – be human – be yourself, down to earth, acknowledge your past errors, show empathy and be positive!
Love to hear anyone else’s ideas about creating ‘cut through’ in any situation. Let's share and help each other!
Important Note: These articles have been prepared for general circulation and are circulated for general informational purposes only; these articles should not be regarded as business or investment advice. The articles represent the views of the writers and are subject to change without notice. Additionally, while every care has been taken in the preparation of the articles no representation or warranty as to accuracy or completeness of any statement is given. An individual or organisation should, before any business or investment decision is made, consider the appropriateness of the information in this document, and seek professional advice, having regard to objectives, situation and needs. This document is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided.
Posted in I Need a Job
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