FBI Coaching Feedback – 2020

“My interview went pretty terribly. I was calm cool and confident right up until I actually sat down in front of them, the recorder turned on, and Question 1 was asked.

I became so nervous I literally FORGOT to give my 5 points. Just left them out completely!

I was kicking myself for it the entire time.

 And then at the end, when I could’ve taken the opportunity to do a quick summary of my 5 points to wrap up, I again forgot, and instead said thank you and quickly left.

I kicked myself for it again when I got about halfway down the hallway. 

I’d say about half of my stories actually matched up to the questions they were asking me.

And based on their facial expressions, they were confused.

But I just gave them a story. It didn’t fit perfectly and it wasn’t exactly what they asked for but it was a story and it demonstrated a factor.  

Additionally, I spilled an entire pitcher of water mid-interview. That’s right. Not a few drops. Not the cup. The entire pitcher of water. (There was a complication with a button. Who puts a button on a pitcher of water anyway?!).

So needless to say, there were a few tears on the way home as I coped with the loss. “

From The Coach  –

Carole Martin, The Interview Coach

YOU POOR THING – HOW COULD EVERYTHING HAVE GONE WRONG?

BUT…

“today, to my complete and utter shock, I got the email that

 I passed!

There were a hundred things I would’ve said differently and done differently but all the work we did together did miracles.

Everything I was able to get across to them was due to our preparation.

 We did so much work on my stories not even my HORRENDOUS nerves were enough to derail me. That says quite a lot. 

I do wish I was able to relax a bit more and show them my true self, but through the stories they seem to have understood exactly who I am. For that, I truly thank you. You helped me shape my stories to accurately and appropriately depict me in my best light. 

I can’t possibly thank you enough for your immense help. 

—————————————————

From The Coach —

I can’t believe it. GOOD FOR YOU.

Remember, I kept telling you it wasn’t about the story or what you did – it was your “EQ” emotional intelligence.

You rolled with the punches, and kept on going – talk about “ADAPTING.”

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!

YOUR ANSWERS TO BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS – STORIES

One of the secrets of passing Phase II is to make your stories – interesting – as though you were telling them to a friend.

I think a former client says it best about the “story” responses to “behavioral questions.”

Marine Captain –

I think the biggest impact for me personally was getting in the habit of talking about my thought process/feelings, not just reciting a string of events.

Forcing me to write down all my stories also really helped with recall (I didn’t have to pause more than a couple seconds to answer any of the questions).

Contact The FBI Interview Coach