We received some positive feedback on a recent interview Can Can founder Alison Ali did with Julia Hartley-Brewer about SATs and other high-stakes government assessments of primary-aged children.
Hartley-Brewer is known for her aggressive interviewing style, and a couple of years ago Ali would have risen to the bait, ending up in a heated exchange and probably failing to get her message across clearly.
To avoid getting embroiled in a tit-for-tat slanging match, remember three things.
- Keep calm, have a few clear points firmly in mind and stick to your main message no matter what comes your way.
- Remain unfailingly polite even under duress.
- Slow your answers down, Simple psychology means this technique takes the wind out of your interviewer’s sails – they can’t keep up a barrage of high-pressure questioning in the face of serenity and smiles.