Interviewing and Advising On-line Tutorial Welcome

Contents The online tutorial in Interviewing and Advising is divided into 3 sections Section one – Introduction Section two – The Legal Interview Section three – Assessment

Section One Introduction

Intended Learning Outcomes – you will be able to: understand the basic concepts of non-verbal communication understand different questioning techniques appreciate how to “meet, seat and greet” a client be able to conduct a simple interview in a legal context understand how the assessment of this skill works

Key Reading Your Skills Manual Your MMU Interviewing and Advising Handbook

Oral Communication Skills Listening Questioning Analysing Explaining

Passive Listening Eye contact Body language Posture Nodding Acknowledgements Express invitations

Active Listening Summarise Recap

Questioning Open Closed

Interviewers use the Questioning Funnel The Interviewing Funnel Start the interview with open questions eg “How can I help you?” When you have an idea of what the client has in mind, start to ask the specific closed questions that give you the information you need

Non-verbal communication An amalgamation of eye contact, posture and gestures. It is often called “body language” Increase your perception Watch for multiple cues Learn to read the other person’s behaviour Remember others will do this to you

Use NVCs to good effect NVCs matter Do not misjudge others Watch your own behaviour Use devices like mirroring

Importance of NVCs Research by Albert Mehrabin 1968 – People attach more importance to NVCs – 55% appearance and body language – 38% vocal quality – 7% verbal content

Get your body language right Do not use a desk as a barrier – sit the client to the side Face the client squarely Adopt an open posture Lean slightly forward and keep a “business distance” between you (1.5 metres) Maintain positive eye contact but do not stare Try to be relaxed – no fidgeting!

Your Appearance WrongRight You will be expected to dress well in traditional business attire Your dress code will vary according to the firm you work for Appropriate dress presents the right image “you never get a second chance to create a first impression”

For the Assessments For men – a business suit, shirt with a collar (properly fastened) and tie For women – a business suit, smart dress or formal skirt/trousers and smart blouse If you would normally wear ethnic dress that is perfectly acceptable We DO NOT want to see your underwear, navel piercing, midriff or cleavage

Your verbal communication Practise your skills clarity good use of English avoid slang avoid irritating habits watch legal jargon explain legal terms

Getting Started Opening an Interview Meet Seat Greet

Empathy Build a relationship with the client Use small talk to break the ice Use the client’s name Use positive body language Make the client feel that you are “on their side”

Analysing Identify the client’s aims Are there underlying concerns? Use good questioning technique to get to the root of the matter What do they really want?

Explaining Next step is explaining the legal position Advise the client Give a run down of any applicable law Outline options Client must give you instructions Closure Never tell the client what they MUST do

What happens next? Watch your friends and try to interpret their body language Watch interviews on television and try to interpret the body language Shake hands with people and ask for an appraisal of your handshake Collect your re-writable practice disk from the Professional Programmes Office Book a slot in the recording room and record yourself and a friend talking to each other. Watch the recording. Do you like what you see and hear? Did you work the equipment correctly?

Interviewing and Advising On-line Tutorial Section One THE END