“Applying for a job is easy. All I have to do is put together a killer job application and then turn up for the interview and smile a lot.”

Believe it or not this is what one Gen Y job applicant stated to Lindsay Adams, International Speaker and Trainer from Training Edge International recently during a communications skills workshop. Often described as the “instant generation” Gen Y job applicants are techo savvy and are adept at putting together a job application, which is clever and describes their attributes in clear and succinct terms. In fact recent examples of innovative job applications includes Gen Y applicants applying for jobs using Twitter, YouTube and making clever comment on their target company blogs.

Where they fall down in the job application process is when they arrive for a job interview. Once they have the attention of a potential employer, applicants need to focus in on the 3V’s Strategy in order to move their application from potential employee status to permanent employee status.

The 3V’s strategy is summed up in 3 words:

VERBAL VOCAL VISUAL
The 3 V’s are intertwined and build on each other, in fact verbal and vocal build to contribute to the overall visual which has the greatest power of the three.

VERBAL
Verbal refers to the words spoken at the interview. The applicant needs to make sure that they choose their words carefully and talk in the same language as the interview panel. For the applicant this means:

• Use words and phrases that are relevant to the job
• Leave out trendy terms or abbreviations, which could alienate a potential employer.


VOCAL
The next V is the vocal component. This rides on the back of the words spoken and of course relates to the voice tone and pace of the spoken word. Speaking too fast and too softly is a common fault nervous job applicant’s make. Listen carefully to the interviewer and when responding to questions, look them squarely in the face, if there is more than one interviewer, then look at each in turn and make sure that you speak clearly.

In essence:
• Speak at a measured pace
• Speak as fast or as slow as the interviewer
• Do not mumble or race through responses

VISUAL
Joining verbal and vocal together, we add the final component, to create the whole picture …the Visual component, the most important piece in any interview process.

Here’s where it gets interesting, research shows that people like other people just like them. The best thing an applicant can do at this stage is “be like” their interview panel.

First step at an interview is the handshake. The applicant should as much as possible respond to their interviewer’s handshake with the same amount of pressure and hand pumping. At the same time remember the interviewer’s name and use it during the interview. People love the sound of their name, so make sure you say it properly. Be careful though, if the interviewer says my name is David Lim, be sure to address him as Mr. Lim, unless you are invited to call him “David”.

Next step, if the lead interviewer leans forward, the interviewee should lean forward slightly, if they fold their arms or cross their legs the interviewee should follow suit. The trick is to not outrageously mimic the interviewer, but subtly follow their lead. The interviewer will sub consciously notice the similarity and feel more favourably toward that candidate.

People expert, Lindsay Adams final piece of advice is to tell the truth no matter what. “Resist the temptation to embellish or stretch the truth.” he says. When we do, we show obvious signs that differ from our normal behaviour. I have interviewed applicants who blushed uncontrollably or blinked, twitched or squirmed when they were “stretching the truth” Adams said.

Remember you are on show from the minute you arrive at the prospective company’s office, so immediately engage in employing your 3V strategy, be confidant and go for it.

Article Contributed by Lindsay Adams, International Speaker with Training Edge International and President of Global Speakers Federation
Website : www.trainingedgeasia.com
Email : Lindsay.adams@trainingedgeasia.com