Interview Tips from the Presidential Debates

This year, more than past years, Americans are drawn to the Republican and Democratic debates.   Perhaps it is the celebrity of Donald Trump, or maybe it is the unique background of this season’s candidates. Whatever the reason, the debates are drawing record-breaking viewership.   We can learn a lot from debates, including the major issues of the day. Today we’re going to focus on interview techniques that you can learn from the recent debates. Here’s our top-four list of interview tips we garnered.

Appearance and Body Language Count

The candidates looked sharp. The females wore flattering and professional apparel. Most of the male contenders had bright white, well-pressed shirts. There was one candidate with a tie off-center and not tightened to the very top of the collar. It is interesting how everyone in my watching group commented, “What is wrong with his tie?”

Examine the candidates’ the body language and expressions. One candidate looked like Mr. Burns from “The Simpsons” due to his rounded shoulders and tendency to hold his hands.  The candidate is a fairly fit man, but his posture made him look weak and much older. The hand-clasping made him look nervous.

Interviewing Tip: In your interview, dress impeccably and groom yourself to perfection. Stand up straight, display a pleasant expression, and try to avoid nervous movements.

Negative Comments Can Backfire

The moderators love to create revealing moments in which a candidate veers from the talking points and says something spontaneous.   What really makes the playback on cable news is when a candidate slings some mud at a competitor. That can backfire in two ways. That other candidate can have a great retort and “win” some points. Or, the negative person can come across as a brash bully. You’ll notice that even “the Donald” has toned down his rhetoric in recent debates.

Interviewing Tip: The interviewer may tempt you to speak ill of past managers, employers, or competitors. Don’t take the bait. Focus on what you have to offer and avoid negative comments about your colleagues or former employers.

Study and Then Study More

The press loves the “gotcha” moment. Let’s face it; we all love those sound bites.   “Candidate Doe, who is the Minister of Finance for Liechtenstein?” Obviously, that is a ridiculous example. However, we all remember the countless playbacks of a former President, who was quizzed on major heads of state. There is a recent candidate who confused the debt ceiling with budget control. Studying relevant facts is crucial.

Interview Tip: You are under scrutiny in an interview, just as candidates are scrutinized by the press, their competitors, and the public. Take time to study pertinent facts about the company. Be sure you are prepared with examples of accomplishments to explain why you are the ideal candidate for the job.

Don’t Leave without Delivering Your Message

There is always that moment when a candidate looks into the camera and delivers a compelling message extolling her merits.   It is generally a tightly-written message, loaded with key facts that resonate with the target audience. The candidates are coached extensively to deliver that concise, powerful message. You can bet that every word of the message was painstakingly evaluated.

Interview Tip: Thoughtfully prepare your talking points. Be sure to take a moment at the end of the interview to summarize the value that you offer.

The Bottom Line

The presidential campaign process is an elongated interview process. These candidates spend large amounts of money on top experts to help with presentation and messaging.  Why not leverage that valuable advice by studying the debate and seeing the fruits of their labor on display?   We’re not suggesting that you adopt the famous closed fist pointing gesture so often used by candidates. However, there is a great deal that you can borrow for your next interview.