Preparing for an Interview
Surprise! An email pops up with a request to schedule an interview for a job you dropped an application for – so now what? You took the plunge; you decided to take the next step towards finding a new job. It’s time to get yourself in the mental mindset to nail the interview. Preparing for interviews can be daunting, especially if quite a bit of time has passed since the last time you interviewed. Take a deep breath. You’ve got this.
Practice, practice, practice
Practice makes perfect. At this point you’ve spent time researching companies, cleaning up your resume, and crafting cover letters; therefore, it may feel like you’re prepared and can skip this step. Don’t skip this step. A recent Wall Street Journal Article discussed the importance of taking the time out to prepare yourself to talk about you, synthesize your stories, make yourself aware of personal habits that may be distracting, and build your confidence to tell your story. The prep will help you to be authentic. “…a May 2020 study found that people who behave authentically during a job interview do better overall than those who try to cater to an interviewer’s interests and expectations. This is because it takes a lot of mental energy to try to be someone you are not, which ultimately increases anxiety and could ruin your efforts to create a positive, authentic connection with your interviewer.”
Know your gaps
Understand areas of development. Being honest with an interviewer regarding responsibilities noted in the job description you haven’t had as much experience with can show self-awareness, well thought out questions, and give you the chance to discuss a plan to address those gaps – all great ways of showing the interviewer your motivation and commitment to being successful if chosen for the job. Further, when preparing your answers to interview questions, don’t shy away from examples where something didn’t go great – instead use those examples to show the interviewer how you learn and grow.
Have a plan
Have a plan and be ready to verbalize how the job fits into your career goals. Ensure the interviewer leaves the interview knowing you thoughtfully applied to the role and it fits into your career aspirations. Practicing the inevitable, “why did you apply to this job” question can also help ease any nerves you have about being the best candidate for the job.
Good vibes only
Take a deep breath, and think positive thoughts. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to self-doubt. You landed an interview based on your resume. Spend some time thinking back to past successes, write down all your positive attributes to visualize why you’re the best candidate, talk to trusted friends, family members, and colleagues, and most of all, reach out for help if you need it.
Need more help preparing for interviews? We offer interview preparation packages to provide you with resources and support. Reach out to a qualified career coach today.
- Career Consultant, Emily Elking