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The term "psychological interviewing" strikes fear in
the hearts of most people, but if it is done professionally and
competently, it need not do so. In responsible hands, the purpose of a
psychological interview is to determine whether you are one of the 90
percent of people who are honest and try to do their work well - or if
you're someone who might terrorize the office, steal from your employer,
or file fraudulent legal claims. A secondary goal, if you are in the 90
percent majority, might be to identify what type of assignment and
management style to you would respond to best.
Most of the questions are likely to focus on your
aspirations and your family background, with an effort to find a linkage
between the two. Others may deal with topics such as what provides you
the greatest satisfaction, what you would like to avoid, and past
experiences that you enjoyed or didn't enjoy.
The most important thing to remember if you are to be
interviewed by a professional psychologist is to be yourself (you don't
want to look like you have something to hide). The second most important
thing is not to overly dramatize your family background. If you have 14
siblings, just say you grew up in a large family, unless you're probed
further. If you had an abusive parent, focus on the other parent. Don't
give the psychologist a lot to feed on in terms of difficulties in your
relationships with your family.
In responding to work-related questions, use the
types of answers recommended for other forms of interviewing. You want
to be as proud and confident as you are in your other interviews. And
avoid deception, inconsistencies, nervousness, or anxiety in your
answers. You don't want to be one of the ten percent labeled
untrustworthy.
Unfortunately, a few unqualified interviewers may try
to play the psychologist role, coming up with such oddball questions as
"If you were a tree, what kind would it be?" or "Picture yourself as a
championship athlete. What sport and what position would you play?"
Give a boring but unchallengeable response. To the
first question, oak (stable), maple (well liked), and redwood (long
lasting) are great answers. To the second, basketball, tennis, baseball,
and golf are fine. Running marathons is a bit iconoclastic, and rugby or
ice hockey might suggest latent aggressiveness. |
