Indeed, one of the main performance objectives in the oral interview is to be distinct and disengaged from the assembly line of others who are competing for your promotion. Panel members search for a diamond among a pile of rocks.
A very powerful technique, often overlooked or underused, is illustrative speaking. Recite a memorized definition of leadership; describe pre-established motivation techniques; or discussing supervisory styles are fine, however such average descriptions pale in comparison when exemplified through real life examples or verbal imagery so lucid the panel can see what you saw or feel what you felt.
Using ethics as an example, most candidates could describe integrity using the cliché; “Integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is looking.” This is a nice statement, but does it really define integrity? Others will define integrity with other ethical descriptors, such as being honest, having high morals, or possessing strong values; all of which help describe integrity, but even collectively, cannot define it.
Using illustrative language, integrity could be defined as a gun safe that can never be breached or compromised; it is a nuclear submarine with no crushing depth and no crack will break the hull, no nut will fail under pressure and no water will compromise the interior of the submarine; it is a line of policemen standing shoulder to shoulder, united, holding back a riotous mob, none of whom can break through the entirety of the line. Illustrations like these are followed by a concise definition; Integrity is uncompromising integrity and wholeness that cannot be violated.
Now, instead of panelists simply hearing the words honesty, doing the right thing, principles and values, they’re envisioning a sturdy gun safe; they are seeing a submarine in the depths of the ocean surface prevailing against the great pressure; they’re remembering when they once stood shoulder to shoulder with other officers during civil unrest or that big party that turned violent. Panel members not only hear what you say but see it as well and that is powerful communication and this technique can be used with any topic.
Just as effective as illustrative speaking – the use of metaphors and analogies – is the use of real life examples. For example, a candidate might answer a question about motivation by not only defining it, but also describing in specific detail how he has used various techniques to successfully motivate others in the past. This represents a candidate who has been there and done it and illustrates a tangible experience. Finally, the candidate may identify this experience as a valuable and necessary feature of the position for which he is competing.
Illustrative speech, used correctly, can be very powerful and allows the candidate’s words and descriptions to come alive, allowing the panel to see and hear the response. Compare an interview answer that provides just a definition with one that offers a descriptive illustration, followed by a concise definition, then backed up by a real life example and the choice is clear. Taste well!
