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Phill Cronin

Learn what it takes to be successful at interviewing

Interviewing is not something that we do every day and when we do, we are up against other people that have all passed the same criteria. So what is it that will make you shine above the rest?

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Learn what it takes to be successful at interviewing

Interviewing is not something that we do every day and when we do, we are up against other people that have all passed the same criteria. So what is it that will make you shine above the rest?

Now more than ever with the job market becoming so tight, due to the effects of COVID-19, if you do get asked in for an interview you need to be performing at your best to make sure you get offered the position. This course focuses predominately on the softer skills, techniques and a few changes in the way that you would normally approach interview preparation. This is not your normal "Interview Training Course", look at the feedback and see what nearly 1,500 students say about this course.    

As a communication skills expert I am often invited to sit on interview panels and it has been from this experience and through my research and training on how humans connect and make decisions, I, working with professionals from one of the largest recruitment companies in the world have developed this course for you.

Awareness and focus so that you make less mistakes and a presence about you that will tip the scales on your side.

Plus you will learn, enjoy and have a skill to use outside of interviewing...

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Improve your success at interviewing
  • Create a great 1st impression in just 30 seconds
  • Be more than totally prepared!
  • Read the room and know how to respond appropriately
  • Create a powerful lasting impression
  • Have all the tools and the knowledge to get that next job

Syllabus

Understand the importance of applying effective communication skills throughout the interview process

Welcome to the 12 Steps of Interview Success! In this short lecture you will get to meet Phill Cronin, your course facilitator, and gain an understanding of the basis of this course and its main outcomes.

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Communication is a Game changer! In this lecture we will cover how powerful effective communication can be in an interview situation and the six key areas of focus that you need to be mindful of throughout the completion of this course.

In this lecture you will be introduced to the science of communication and each of the 12 steps to interview success that we will be covering in this course.

Preparing yourself mentally for an interview is just as important as the structured preparations you will need to do. This lecture covers four key points to help you mentally prepare for your interview, how this relates to developing a positive communication style and why this is so important.

Before you apply for any role you need to be clear on what the employer is looking. In this lecture we will explore why this is so important and how to discover this information by working through a detailed example of breaking down a sample job advertisement.

This lecture covers techniques to help you discover your motivations for applying for a particular role and why it is important that you are clear on this before going into any interview.

In this lecture we will explore the best way to help you prepare for those often dreaded interview questions and how to look at this aspect of the interview process in a different, more positive light. Here you will learn some of the most commonly asked interview questions and strategies to help you respond to questions confidently and with conviction in your interview.

In this lecture we'll cover a powerful technique to help you respond effectively to those tricky interview questions that are looking to discover any weaknesses you have.

An interview is not just about the interviewee responding to questions asked by the interviewer(s). In this short lecture we'll discuss the benefit of you preparing a few of your own questions to ask the interviewers.

In this short lecture, we'll cover some key points you need to take into consideration when deciding what to wear to your interview. As simple as it sounds, this is very important to ensure a successful interview and we'll cover the reasons why it's so important.

Would you attend an interview for a role you applied for without understanding what the company does? If you did, how do you think this would affect the outcome of your interview? In this lecture you will discover three key areas of research you need to do before your interview and how doing (or not doing) your research will impact your success.

You are being assessed from the very first contact that you have with your potential future employer. In this lecture discover tips to help you create a great first impression, despite the employer not having met you in person as yet.

In this lecture learn strategies to help you stay on top of your nerves and reduce any unnecessary stress on the day of our interview.

Review this four point checklist as a reminder for your "On the Day" pre-interview preparation.

In this lecture you will learn techniques to help you create a great first impression with your interviewers on the day of your interview before they even get to asking you any questions.

Being present in the interview is a powerful technique to help build the interviewer's confidence in you. How? In this lecture we'll cover five key techniques that will help you to avoid being distracted by your own thoughts during the interview, allowing you to truly listen to what the interviewers are saying.

In this lecture we'll broadly cover the importance of body language in effective communication. We'll go over some of the main non-verbal cues to be aware of both in yourself and the interviewers and appropriate reactions to these cues to improve your chances of a successful interview.

Selling yourself is not an easy task. This lecture helps you to see this process from a different perspective and feel more comfortable about selling yourself to the interview panel, without seeming over confident.

This lecture will cover the importance of making a great lasting impression with the interview panel and the steps you need to take to wrap your interview successfully.

So after the interview, when you  make contact, how long should you wait to hear from them?

This covers, from my experience sitting on interview panels, the silly things that can trip you up in an interview!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on softer skills and techniques, which are often overlooked in traditional interview training, but are crucial for standing out in a competitive job market
Explores the science of communication and its application to interview success, providing a deeper understanding of how humans connect and make decisions
Includes guidance on mental preparation, which is just as important as structured preparation, and helps develop a positive communication style
Teaches techniques for discovering motivations for applying for a role, which is important for conveying genuine interest and enthusiasm during the interview
Offers strategies for staying on top of nerves and reducing stress on the day of the interview, which can significantly improve performance
Requires learners to break down job advertisements to understand what employers are looking for, which may be time-consuming for some learners

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Reviews summary

Practical interview skills training

According to learners, this course provides practical strategies and actionable techniques for improving interview performance, particularly focusing on communication and soft skills. Students report feeling more confident and better prepared after taking the course. While some note the content is beneficial for beginners and those new to interviewing, a few suggest it may be less comprehensive for experienced candidates or those seeking in-depth technical interview guidance. Overall, it is described as a helpful resource for anyone looking to enhance their interview approach.
Well-suited for those new to interviewing.
"This course is perfect for anyone who is new to the job market or hasn't interviewed in a while."
"As a beginner, I found this course incredibly valuable."
"Provided a solid foundation for understanding the interview process."
"Might be basic if you have extensive interview experience."
The 12 steps structure is clear and easy to follow.
"The 12 steps provided a clear roadmap for interview preparation."
"The course is well-structured and easy to navigate."
"Following the steps made the process feel less overwhelming."
"Found the modular approach of 12 steps very logical and helpful."
Strong emphasis on communication and soft skills.
"The focus on communication and body language was particularly helpful."
"Learned how crucial soft skills are and how to leverage them in interviews."
"Appreciated the insights into reading the room and non-verbal cues."
"It's great that it goes beyond just answering questions to cover overall presence."
Helped students feel more confident for interviews.
"My confidence level for interviews has increased significantly after taking this course."
"I feel much more prepared and less nervous going into my next interview."
"The course structure and content helped build my self-assurance."
"Gained a newfound sense of confidence in my ability to handle interviews."
Offers useful, actionable tips for interviews.
"I learned many practical strategies that I could use right away in my job interviews."
"The techniques shared here are easy to implement and made a real difference."
"This course gave me tangible tools to prepare and perform better."
"Really appreciated the actionable steps provided for each stage."
Could benefit from more advanced or specific content.
"Would have liked more detail on handling specific types of interviews."
"The course is a good overview, but could go deeper on certain topics."
"Felt some sections were a bit basic for my needs as an experienced professional."
"Didn't cover technical interview preparation extensively."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 12 Steps to Interview Success, Interview Excellence Training with these activities:
Review Communication Skills Fundamentals
Reviewing communication skills fundamentals will help you better understand the nuances of effective communication during interviews.
Browse courses on Effective Communication
Show steps
  • Review key concepts of verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Practice active listening techniques.
  • Reflect on past communication experiences and identify areas for improvement.
Read 'Never Be Nervous Again' by Dorothy Sarnoff
Reading this book will help you manage interview nerves and project confidence.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Never Be Nervous Again'.
  • Read the book and highlight key strategies for managing anxiety.
  • Practice the techniques described in the book.
Practice Answering Common Interview Questions
Practicing common interview questions will help you formulate clear and concise answers, reducing anxiety and improving your overall performance.
Show steps
  • Compile a list of common interview questions.
  • Record yourself answering each question.
  • Review your recordings and identify areas for improvement.
  • Repeat the process until you feel confident.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop Your '30-Second Elevator Pitch'
Crafting a compelling elevator pitch will help you make a strong first impression and clearly communicate your value to potential employers.
Show steps
  • Identify your key skills and experiences.
  • Write a concise summary of your qualifications.
  • Practice delivering your pitch confidently.
Review 'The Definitive Book of Body Language' by Allan Pease and Barbara Pease
Understanding body language will help you read the room and respond appropriately during interviews.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Definitive Book of Body Language'.
  • Read the book and take notes on key body language cues.
  • Practice recognizing and interpreting body language in everyday interactions.
Conduct Mock Interviews with Peers
Participating in mock interviews will provide valuable feedback and help you refine your interviewing skills in a realistic setting.
Show steps
  • Find a peer or group of peers to conduct mock interviews.
  • Take turns playing the role of interviewer and interviewee.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other.
  • Focus on areas such as communication, body language, and answering questions effectively.
Create a Post-Interview Reflection Document
Reflecting on your interview performance will help you identify areas for improvement and reinforce your learning.
Show steps
  • After each interview, write down what went well.
  • Write down what could have gone better.
  • Identify specific actions to take to improve future interviews.

Career center

Learners who complete 12 Steps to Interview Success, Interview Excellence Training will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Talent Acquisition Specialist
A Talent Acquisition Specialist focuses on attracting, recruiting, and selecting candidates. The interview process is a key part of their work, and this course, dedicated to interview success, is very relevant. This course's coverage of communication skills and how to read a room can help a talent acquisition specialist improve their ability to assess candidates. The course teaches strategies for creating a great first and lasting impression, which is key for a talent acquisition specialist. Additionally, the course may be useful to help a specialist understand how to prepare for interviews, and the course's overview of potential silly mistakes that can occur in the interview process is something the specialist could use to make sure they are not making those mistakes themselves.
Career Counselor
A Career Counselor guides individuals in career exploration and job seeking, which often includes interview preparation. The interview techniques and strategies that this course teaches are directly relevant for a career counselor helping clients prepare for interviews. This course, teaching the creation of strong first and lasting impressions, can help counselors advise their clients on how to be more successful during the interview process. A career counselor could also use the research techniques highlighted in the course to inform their clients about the employer before they interview. The communication strategies taught in the course can help counselors provide their clients with better feedback on their interview skills.
Recruiter
A Recruiter identifies, interviews, and selects candidates for employment. This course, with its focus on creating strong first impressions and mastering interview techniques, directly applies to the recruiter's role when assessing candidates. Recruiters must be skilled in evaluating both verbal and nonverbal cues, which this course explicitly addresses. The course also provides insight into how humans connect and make decisions, and this understanding can help a recruiter to better evaluate a candidate's fit for a role. A Recruiter may find this course useful to improve their communication skills, which is a great advantage for identifying top talent. The techniques for preparing for interviews that are taught in the course can be used by a recruiter to create a better interviewing process for their candidates.
Human Resources Generalist
A Human Resources Generalist handles various aspects of the employee life cycle, including recruiting and interviewing. This course, centered on interview success, may be useful for enhancing a generalist's interviewing skills. Understanding effective communication skills and how to read a room, both covered in the course, is crucial for a human resources generalist conducting interviews. A generalist benefits from understanding the science of communication and the 12 steps to interview success that are covered in this course. This allows them to both prepare for and conduct interviews. In addition, the techniques for preparing for interviews that are taught in the course can be used by a generalist to create a better interviewing process for their candidates.
Training Specialist
A Training Specialist designs and delivers training programs, including interview skills workshops. This course, with its detailed approach to interview preparation and execution, may be useful as a basis for developing interview skills training. This course can aid a training specialist in understanding what effective interview techniques look like. The science of communication, the techniques to prepare for and handle difficult questions, and the nonverbal cues covered in this course all provide relevant insights for anyone training others in interview skills. The detailed focus on making a lasting impression in the course can be incorporated into trainings to make workshops more effective.
Corporate Trainer
Corporate Trainers develop and conduct training programs for employees, which may include interview skills. This course, focused on interviewing techniques and communication skills, can be helpful for a corporate trainer developing interview training material. The course's emphasis on how to prepare for interviews and respond effectively to challenging questions directly applies to coaching individuals on their interview performance. A corporate trainer may find the science of communication introduced in the course helpful to better develop and teach their own training programs. The detailed 12 steps covered in this course can be helpful when the corporate trainer is designing a workshop.
Team Lead
A Team Lead is often involved in hiring and onboarding new team members, making interview skills important. This course, focused on the different aspects of interviewing, can be helpful for a team lead. The course's focus on communication skills and creating a great first impression can assist a team lead in conducting effective and engaging interviews. The detailed discussion about nonverbal cues and strategies to respond to tricky questions would make the team lead better at hiring the right candidate for their team. The interview techniques learned in the course would help team leads be more effective in hiring team members.
Business Development Representative
Business Development Representatives often conduct initial interviews with potential clients or partners. This course, teaching how to create a positive first impression and master the art of communication, can be of use in their role. A business development representative can use the techniques taught in the course to better understand the science of communication and then apply it to their own interviews. The ability to read the room and respond appropriately, which this course covers, is helpful in client interactions. The course's focus on selling yourself and making a lasting impression is directly relevant to generating business opportunities.
Sales Representative
A Sales Representative needs to make a good first impression and communicate effectively to close deals, similar to an interviewee. The skills taught in this course, focused on creating strong first impressions and effective communication, may be useful. The course highlights the importance of presence and building confidence which are very important when selling. The techniques to prepare for interviews and respond to challenging questions can easily be applied to the sales process. A sales representative can also find the tools for creating a lasting impressions very useful for building a positive client relationship.
Project Manager
Project Managers may need to interview candidates when building their team. This course, centered on interview success, can help them to improve their interviewing skills. The understanding of effective communication and making a strong first impression, which this course teaches, are helpful for project managers to use during an interview. The course's focus on how to read the room and respond appropriately can help them be more confident in their interviewing and hiring decisions. The different techniques that are covered in this course can make a project manager a better interviewer overall.
Customer Success Manager
A Customer Success Manager needs to be able to build rapport and communicate effectively with clients. Although this course is focused on interviews, the course's coverage of effective communication skills and making strong first impressions may be useful in this role. The techniques this course teaches to make sure the interviewer is both present and listening during the interview process, as well as to respond appropriately to the interviewer, are skills that a customer success manager can apply when working with clients. The strategies that are discussed in the course about reading a room and how to make a lasting impression can be used to build and maintain positive client relationships.
Consultant
Consultants often interview clients as part of the project engagement process. While the course focuses on job interviews, the skills taught on creating a strong first impression and communication can be helpful for a consultant when interviewing a client. The science of communication and the 12 steps to interview success covered in this course can help a consultant understand the process of communication and make the interviews more productive. In addition, a consultant also needs to be able to read the room and respond appropriately, and this skill is also taught in the course. A consultant can use these strategies to positively influence interactions with clients.
Instructional Designer
An Instructional Designer develops learning materials, and may create modules on interview skills. This course, covering interview techniques and strategies, could help an instructional designer understand the needs of interviewees. The course's focus on effective communication and how to create a great first impression may be useful when creating materials on interviewing. The course also provides a 12 step approach to interview success, as well as information on the science of communication and these may be incorporated into instructional design for training. An instructional designer can use the techniques in this course to create a more effective program on interview skills.
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist is responsible for shaping public perception and communicating effectively with various audiences. While not directly focused on job interviews, this course's emphasis on communication skills and making positive first impressions may be useful in this role. The course highlights the importance of presence, listening, and understanding nonverbal cues, which can help a public relations specialists be more effective in communicating their message. The techniques to prepare for interviews and respond to challenging situations can also be adapted to other public facing scenarios. A public relations specialists can find this course helpful to improve their communication style and build positive public perception.
Marketing Coordinator
A Marketing Coordinator often interacts with various stakeholders, requiring strong communication skills. Although this course is focused on interviews, the underlying principles of effective communication and making a lasting impression taught in the course may be useful in stakeholder interactions. The course's focus on how to create a great first impression, read the room, and respond appropriately to questions may help a marketing coordinator build a positive rapport with others. A marketing coordinator will find the techniques and knowledge taught in this course helpful in communicating effectively with various teams and clients.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in 12 Steps to Interview Success, Interview Excellence Training.
Provides a comprehensive guide to understanding non-verbal communication. It covers a wide range of body language cues and their meanings, helping you to interpret the signals of interviewers and adjust your own body language accordingly. It valuable resource for improving your awareness of non-verbal communication and enhancing your interpersonal skills. This book adds depth to the course's section on body language.
Provides practical techniques for managing anxiety and building confidence, particularly in high-pressure situations like interviews. It offers insights into controlling physical symptoms of nervousness and projecting a calm, composed demeanor. While not specifically about interviewing, the skills it teaches are directly applicable to improving interview performance. It valuable resource for anyone who struggles with interview anxiety.

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