Developing Good Answers (Part 2 of 2)
To review last week quickly: Not all answers are “good answers”. Good answers both reduce the employer’s concerns, while proving the candidate can meet their needs. Step 1 in that process is “Welcome the question” and step 2 is “Take responsibility”.
3 – Share the Moment of Clarity (7 to 10 seconds)
- Give a specific example, a moment you realized you had to make another choice.
- The more serious the situation, the more dramatic your moment of clarity must be.
- Share your motivation for doing it differently in the future.
- Explain what you have learned & how you have changed since it occurred.
- Consider what is important to them! Be sure the lesson or change will be valued by them. Prove it!
Ensure your candidate demonstrates these changes wherever possible by being on time, displaying a positive attitude, being polite, listening, etc.
4 – Paint A New Picture of Today (15-20 seconds)Explain how your life is different today.
- Don’t just tell them the barrier will not recur, let them realize it.
- Prove it … demonstrate it … make them see!
- Be specific! … Share concrete examples of the things in your life today that will keep the barrier from recurring … a new group of friends, a new skill you have learned, a strong addition recovery programme, etc.
- Be consistent! …Make sure the changes are evident in every part of the way you present yourself.
By this stage if unsuccessful the employer should start thinking things like:
“… I wouldn’t have guessed that”
“…I believe in this person”
“…it’s worth the risk.”
5 – Tell Them What They Gain (10-30 seconds)
- Market yourself by changing the focus to the benefits of hiring you and your specific selling points for all 6 areas of PADMAN!
- Prove you have what they want…consider hard to find qualities like loyalty, doing the extra, great attitude, etc
- Each selling point must meet a perceived employer need!
Putting it all together
When utilising this process rather than answering the question of what have you been doing the last 9 months with “I’m a grateful recovering alcoholic” or “I was in a recovery center”, a better answer would be:
“I’m glad you asked. I want to explain. Several years ago I began drinking. It got out of hand, and even led to some drug use. 9 months ago, when my boss fired me and my wife said she was going to leave, it shocked me into realising I didn’t want to live like that, so I checked myself into a recovery programme. It was the best thing I’ve ever done.
Today I’m focused on achieving my new goals, being a great husband and role model, and another is working with animals. As we discussed, my …”
IMPORTANT:
If the employer will never discover the barrier issues, then teach your client to “NOT tell on themselves”. Instead, help them develop a Good Answer that explains the situation without introducing the concern. Have a pre-plan answer will calm their fears and reduce the likelihood of telling on themselves.
Photo by Ethan Lofton
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