With all due respect Andrew, I think this is an awful way to approach an interview.

If the interviewer is looking for something specific and you fudge your answer, you're likely to get caught. Or worse, you'll get a job that you're not equipped to handle and you'll get caught. Developing a reputation as a fraud is not a good way to advance your career.

It's ok to say you don't know something in an interview. As others in this thread have demonstrated, there are a ton of great resources available to help answer the question and, right now, it's an important one. 

Many organizations need to have the skills and knowledge behind latest techniques from neuroscience, behavioral economics, and persuasive design. Learning everything you can about these fascinating fields is a great way to sharpen your skill set.

But, for the Gods' sake, don't use manipulative techniques to try to hide your lack of knowledge in an area.  Just honestly be who you are. That's the best strategy, in my opinion.

Jared

Jared M. Spool
User Interface Engineering
510 Turnpike St., Suite 102, North Andover, MA 01845
e: [log in to unmask] p: +1 978 327 5561
http://uie.com  Blog: http://uie.com/brainsparks  Twitter: @jmspool




On Apr 28, 2011, at 1:02 PM, Andrew Burnette wrote:

> I think you're right--that there is no silver bullet to enticing users.
> However, you are interviewing for a job, and so your task is to convince
> prospective employers that you (and you alone) have all the right answers. I
> do not suggest lying to give them the answer that they want.  But here are a
> couple of ways that question could be answered
> 
> 1) Let the interviewer know of several tactics that you've used in the past
> or that you think might work to entice users to click.  Feel free to explain
> (briefly) how it's actually a complicated question and that each situation
> has to be addressed differently.  Again, emphasize that you (and you alone)
> have the experience and knowledge to find the solutions to each situation.
> 
> 2) Borrow a tactic from politics, and answer the question that you want them
> to ask.  So instead of answering the question of enticing users, answer the
> question of how complicated the web has become and how each user is
> different, but you (and you alone) have the knowledge and experience to find
> solutions to that challenge. Or answer some other question that you think
> you should be asked.
> 
> There are other ways to answer the question, of course.  But trying to
> explain to a prospective employer that you don't have a magic wand may not
> get the best results. They want to know how you can get them more clicks.
> You just have to convince them that you (and you alone) have the knowledge
> and experience that will get them more clicks.
> 
> I hope this helps.  Good luck with the job search.

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