By: Jimmy Sweeney
In a job interview, or any social situation for that matter, the subtle art of persuasion is a powerful skill to possess. If you master it, it enables you to get whatever you want just by the sheer act of conversing with people. It allows you to have any social interaction go your way.
The 6 steps to successful persuasion:
1. Research: To up your chances of success in attempting a persuasion, you need to lay down the foundation. Find out everything you can about the company that’s interviewing you, and if possible, information on the interviewer as well. Following particular decorum and dress codes to be observed is the first rule of job interview preparation. This shows that you’re a team-player –instant rapport.
2. During the interview itself, try to gain the interviewer’s trust. Show genuine interest in the person by listening intently to whatever it is they are saying –however boring or disinteresting it is. Getting a good night’s sleep helps, as you will be more aware and able to react appropriately. Be a bit friendlier than usual, in a level that makes the person more comfortable and amiable towards you. In general, just try to be a sincerely good and likeable person.
3. Make the person feel secure by agreeing with their opinions, or answering a couple job interview questions in way that’ll go well with them. Ask you build up your rapport, it will not be awkward to ask how they are doing, if they have a family: simple, non-invasive yet personal questions. This will make them feel safer with trusting you –which slowly builds the path towards the next step.
4. Closely mirror the person’s breathing patterns and tone of speech. In simple terms, imitate the subject very, very subtly. Speak as loud as they do and copy their attitude.
5. Now, mimic how the subject sits, gestures, talks, scratches their face, etc. Use the words they use, shake your head the way they do. Each of your job interview answers should be directed towards this particular goal.
Mimic nearly everything they do. But still practice subtlety. This is a really tricky part of persuasion –it’s tiptoeing through a mind’s backdoor, building subconscious trust and vulnerability in the person.
6. Finish the trick. Slowly stop mimicking the person; move on your own and watch them copy you. If this happens, your attempt is successful, and you may now ask what you need from the person with gentle suggestion and, well, persuasion.
Persuasive manipulation is a completely legitimate way of getting what you want out of a person. But the more you master it, the more you should practice it responsibly and not abuse the art. It’s different from threatening, bribing, etc. which are more anti-social –not likely to get you a job interview follow up.
Though the steps are simple enough to follow, the idea itself is harder to pull off in real life situations. Practice on the people you know, then acquaintances, then complete strangers, until you are sure that you’re able to pull it off cleanly and without consequence before you try it in an actual job interview.
Article Source: Article Maniac
