“Stick to the Script”This phrase originated from scripts in movies and in plays. When someone said “stick to the script,” they meant just read the script don’t make stuff up, don’t ad lib, don’t go off-script!

Scripting in an interview context is not that limiting but certainly acts as a tool to prepare for a solid answer that includes the most important information that the employer needs to know about you. Scripting consists of a process of:

1. Identifying core competencies and other topics of interest
2. Determining what could be (or rather should be) said to demonstrate skills and abilities and what to tell employers when they open up an opportunity for you to talk
3. Create a script which has a specific flow to the information that captures the strength of your skills, abilities, strengths, successes, accomplishments, values, etc.
4. Review the script to ensure solid content and flow of information
5. Put the script away for another day and allow yourself to communicate freely and naturally during the interview

Avoid Memorizing!

Memorizing seems to be a good way to prepare and get the information ready to deliver to an interviewer. The problem is most interviewers know it is memorized and will not appreciate the answers as much. A free flowing expression of information has a stronger impact on the listener. The problems with memorizing answers are:

1. The interviewer knows right away and will not value the answer as much as they could…and you might even sound robotic
2. The candidates passion and interest does not show very well or even at all
3. If a question is asked with a little variation, then is becomes impossible to use the script and the preparation is lost
4. Nervousness can cause our brains to forget pieces of a memorized answer which leaves us stuck when we can’t remember the next word. Anxiety increases…
5. The scope of a memorized answer often lacks information
6. You will not be yourself and give them the best of YOU

Scripting has its value, so use it to its fullest benefit. Trust your preparation and the structure of your answers and do not trust your memory. I forgot my other points…

Good luck!