Asking the Most Important Question First
We’ve helped countless AEC firms prepare for shortlist interviews, and there’s one question that often goes unasked for far too long: What does it take to win? Without clarity on that question, teams hedge. They hesitate. They hold back instead of leaning in. But if you’re pursuing a shortlist interview seriously, you need to understand exactly what the process requires. That clarity is the foundation of strong shortlist interview training and successful AEC interview preparation.
The Strategy Phase (2–4 Hours)
Start with strategy. Define your perspective on the project—why you’re a great fit, how you see the challenge, and how you want the selection committee to view you. This is where business development communication training and leading AEC interviews begin: understanding the people in the room, what they value, and how they prefer to communicate.
Ideally, you’ve learned about these decision-makers long before the RFP went public. But now is the moment to revisit what you know and decide how to use your interview time in a way that’s compelling, efficient, and aligned with the committee’s priorities.
Developing the Overarching Theme
After strategy comes your overarching theme—the single most important message you want the committee to remember. Then bring the team together to break that theme into supporting messages. What do you need to say? How will you say it? What recommendations strengthen your story? This is a core part of presentation support and shortlist interview coaching, ensuring your team communicates with clarity and intention.
The Stumble Through
Once the messages are defined, get people on their feet. Have each person take a quick, unpolished stab at communicating their point. We call this a stumble through. It lowers the fear of presenting, builds early momentum, and connects directly to skills practiced in group presentation coaching and interview skills training for professionals. No polish, no pressure—just progress.
Message Design (Plan for 8 Hours)
Message design is where things get messy—in a good way. Plan for at least a full day of organized group work. Individuals and sub-teams will need additional time for refining talking points, developing visuals, and coordinating with marketing on slides, boards, or other materials. This is where real AEC presentation skills come to life.
Group Rehearsal (Another 8 Hours)
The last step is a full day of rehearsal. Ideally, this includes one complete walk-through to align the structure, and one full run-through to simulate the real interview. The prep leading into each run—discussion, timing adjustments, and refining transitions—is what fills the day. Running it repeatedly drains energy and makes the delivery stale.
Total Time Commitment: About 2.5 Days
Add it all up: half a day for strategy, a full day for message design, and a full day for rehearsal. That’s about two and a half days of focused group work. For major pursuits, it could be more. But if you commit this time, your team walks in energized, aligned, confident, and fully prepared to win. This is the difference strong project interview preparation makes—and why teams that invest in it leave a lasting impression.
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