5 Interview Tips Using the DiSC Profile
Last year, I wrote a post on using the
DiSC profile to improve your personal brand. I received such awesome feedback, and it’s still trending
on our blog today. I wanted to follow up on it, now one year later, to provide
tips on using DiSC profiles to improve your personal brand during the
interviewing process. Interview tips can really help you feel prepared and confident walking into an interview.
Whether you’re interviewing for a new position, promotion
or acceptance into college this fall, you can use the DiSC profile to learn about yourself
and prepare yourself for answering even the toughest of interview questions.
First, we’ll discuss the importance of making a good
impression. In last year’s post, I mentioned perception vs. reality. In an
interview, the hiring manager only has their perception of us to help determine
their decision. Of course they have our cover letter, resume and references,
but they need to match up our answers to those documents to make sure they're an accurate portrayal of our experience. How they perceive you will ultimately determine if you get the job, so you need to make a great impression. In addition to the typical interview tips (get there early, don't bring your phone in, etc.), we can help you answer the interview questions effectively.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or are absolutely
terrified of even the idea of interviewing, you can learn a lot from the
Everything DiSC Workplace® profile. The Everything DiSC Workplace has been helping thousands of professionals communicate better with each other; promoting healthy workplace relationships and reducing conflict. Because the DiSC profile centers around effective communication, it's ideal for interviewing preparation.
Let me walk you through what you can do with an online
DiSC profile to prepare for the job and/or college interviews ahead.
Step 1: Learn about
yourself
A year later, the concept of learning about yourself is
still extremely important. How else will you be able to communicate all of your
strengths truthfully and eloquently? DiSC behavioral assessments are designed
to make learning about yourself simple. You’ll take a 10-15 minute assessment
answering questions about your behavior at work and receive a personalized
report that details your strengths, weaknesses and how you get along with
others. This kind of information will refresh your memory on what makes you
great and also give you some great phrases to use in the interview. The
reports provide constructive narrative, so be sure to take notes. You’ll catch yourself saying, "I'm stealing that phrase!"
Step 2: Understand Others
If you're familiar with DiSC, you may be able to pick up on your interviewer's DiSC style fairly quickly. You may be able to tell by their demeanor, their interviewing questions and how they are asking them. Knowing this information can help you gear your answers to exactly what they are looking for. Again, it will also help you once you've been hired. You'll learn quickly how to work together with others who are different than you and even understand and respect those differences.
Step 3: Get the most
out of your profile
In addition to taking the assessment and reading the
personalized profile, make sure you take notes and jot down your feelings along
the way. You’ll also want to think of people you currently know in your work or
personal life that fit some of the DiSC styles you’re reading about. It helps
to put people’s actions to styles, to help you remember the information you’re
learning. Lastly, remind yourself to use DiSC every day. Not only will it help
you prepare for the interview, but once you get the job, you’ll be working effectively
with all of your co-workers and superiors.
Step 4: Get Buy-In
From Others
Getting feedback from others is an extremely important part
of any self-improvement process. Ask your friends, family or co-workers what
they think of you. What are my strengths/weaknesses? How do you think I come
off to others? You can even ask a trusted colleague or friend to discuss your
DiSC profile with you, or simply ask them questions over lunch. You may even
want to ask them to complete a
SWOT analysis on your behalf to review together
at a later time. Whatever you do, it’s important to get buy-in from others.
They have their opinions on how you’re perceived which is exactly what you’re
looking for. They can even give you confidence going into the interview!
Step 5: Practice;
Practice; Practice
Once you have your personalized DiSC profile, notes and
feedback, practice interviewing by yourself or with a friend. Again, no matter
how seasoned of an interviewer you are, it doesn't hurt to be TOO prepared.
Check out a sample
Everything DiSC Workplace report and see
for yourself there is a lot to learn that can help you in the interviewing
process and once you get the job! Good luck!
