Face to Face
With Fred Coon

April 29, 2003 - What You Think They Hear, Is Not Always What You Intend...
Not long ago, I was at the PRWRA convention in New Orleans and my friend, Jane Roqueplot of Profiling Pro (www.profilingpro.com), had the group perform a simple exercise that has stuck with me and I would like to share with you now.

This exercise is designed to prove that what you think the interviewer hears when you say it, and what you tell them, aren't always what you thought or intended. The next time you get two or three of your friends in a group, try this fun exercise to prove this point.

1. Each of you is to take a lightweight sheet of paper, all must be the same size, and put them on a table, desk or (bar stool) in front of you.
   
   
2. Each participant has his/her own sheet in front of them.

Everyone must close their eyes and pick up their sheet of paper. So ask the bartender to read the instructions below. Also, NOBODY is to ask questions during the exercise!

1. Fold the sheet in half.
2. Then fold it in half again.
3. Then fold it in half again.
4. Tear the right-hand corner off.
5. Turn the sheet over and tear the left-hand corner off

Now, everyone open their eyes, unfold their sheet and compare their pattern to the others who participated. There will be at least two or more different patterns, more if it is a decent-sized group.

The point is this. When you prepare for an interview, actually participate in the interview, and then assume that the interviewer heard you correctly, you are in for a big surprise.

You cannot hope for the best. To be successful, you must seek and receive confirmation that the interviewer not only understood what you said, but that they understood it the way you intended.

Read Fred Coon's book Ready Aim Hired for a complete understanding of Interview Control so that you get the offers you want. [Ready Aim Hired]

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About the Author: Fred Coon