There are few professions that rival politicians when it comes to the frequency and extensiveness of interviews. Given all the coverage of the Republican Party presidential primaries at the moment, we thought it seemed like a good time to draw out some lessons we can learn from politicians when it comes to interviewing well. 

The following is a list inspired by Shawn Graham’s article in Fast Company and our own experiences from watching politicians try and work their magic in front of the country. Here are some key tips to keep in mind next time you’re in an interview:

Don’t dodge and deflect
When you’re faced with a tough question, don’t take the easy route. It’s just that, easy. The chances are you’re going to sound like everyone else and won’t distinguish yourself in any meaningful way.

Take Pause
A canned answer doesn’t sound authentic and will win very few people over.  Try waiting a few seconds before you answer a question - it gives the impression that you actually gave it some thought.

Pander
Ok, maybe not literally but you need to show your potential employer what you have to offer them in comparison to other candidates. Make it clear that you have a good understanding of the role and the company that you’re interviewing for. In the political world it’s called understanding your constituents.

Dodge and deflect
Wait, didn’t we just say “don’t dodge and deflect?”. Graham does concede that there are certain questions you’re probably not going to want to answer directly.  Take the typical trap question like “what’s your biggest weakness”, it’s best handled by minimizing the negatives and highlighting the positives. 

Don’t sling mud
Ever find political attack ads or exchanges “compelling”? Exactly. Despite what your experience may have been, avoid disparaging former employers or employees or anyone from that matter. There’s always a positive to take out of any situation and that’s where your focus should be. 

Don’t make promises you can’t keep
Be careful to make promises you can’t keep. There’s no sense in selling yourself as Seth Godin’s mentor when it comes to marketing – you’re going to have to deliver on that. Politicians are always very careful when it comes to making certain promises they’re not sure they can deliver, it simply becomes fodder for the opposition and in this case for your performance review.

Politicians are in the business of differentiation and they’re experts in their craft. Take note of some of these tips for your next interview and you’ll be sure to stand out.

Photo: Above photograph used under CC license