Job Interview Top Tips: Be Prepared and Be Present
A lot of people fear job interviews. You see them physically contract at the mere mention of them.
I get it. There can be a lot on the line; a much-needed change, better learning opportunities, more money, or the chance to work at the organisation of your dreams. So, what can you do to optimise your chances?
Here are my top two easy job interview hacks to increase your likelihood of success:
1. PREPARE
How to Prepare for a Job Interview
Research the company. Before the interview, you should learn about the company you are applying to. Look at their website, visit their LinkedIn page, reach out to people who might know about them. What are the important things to take note of? What are their values and core activities? Top recruiters typically ask questions like “What do you know about us?”. If you have no insights to offer here, you are already running behind.
Research the role. Mine that job description or key selection criteria (KSC) for all its gold! The job interview is your chance to demonstrate how you are the best candidate for the role. Do not miss the chance to highlight how your skills perfectly match the open role they are recruiting for - and to do this you really need to understand the skills and experiences they are looking for.
Prepare to tell stories on how you can provide value to the company. Sometimes it is easy to fall into the trap of talking about what WE feel most comfortable or passionate about, but this is a job interview, this is all about THEIR needs. I use the context, action, result (CAR) model as a guide to answering questions; it’s great for helping you craft your skills stories.
Get a FREE interview preparation template using the CAR model below:
Practice if you can with a friend or mentor. Is there someone you can ask to do a couple of run throughs with you? Remember, do not try to stick to a script. Practicing will help you keep it natural and build your confidence.
2. BE PRESENT
ways that help you to be FUlly Present in a Job Interview
I know this isn’t always easy, but to ace a job interview, you need to be in the moment and not distracted by your thoughts and worries. Try to maintain calmness and openness.
How can you do this? We are all different, but you need to find a way to really connect with yourself. You might:
Spend time in nature. Go outside and connect with nature - maybe visit a park on your way to your job interview. Stand barefoot on grass, feel the breeze on your face, and try to get out of your head for a while by focusing on the world around you.
Take deep breaths. Deep and slow breathing can help you focus, calm your nerves, and reduce anxiety. I personally visualize my breath and imagine breathing in the colour yellow and it spreading throughout my body taking goodness everywhere before breathing out deeply. Do this for as long as you can before the interview.
Listen to music you love. Music has been proven to impact your mood and mindset. Whether you need to calm down or pump up your confidence, look for songs that work for you - maybe come up with a pre-interview playlist. Pro tip: studies show that bass-heavy music (low and deep!) helps job applicants feel more empowered and confident, increasing their chances for a successful interview.
Do a short meditation or spend some time praying. Whatever you believe in, going within to that deep place will connect you with your deeper self and intuition. This can support you to stay calm, collected, to put the interview in perspective and feel ready for your job interview.
Tina Bruce, Melbourne-based yoga, meditation and breathwork teacher, says that you can move the unhelpful energy out of your body “through walking or breathwork, supporting you to detach from the thought and rest back into present awareness”.
Intentionally let go of all the things getting in your way before your interview. Let yourself be fully free to enjoy the process and perform at your best.
Job interviews offer us a chance at new, exciting beginnings and to grow.
Preparation will dramatically lessen that ‘put on the spot’ panicky feeling you can get and set you up for a win. Then, it is about not letting your fear or limiting beliefs stop you. You have a choice about which thoughts to focus on, and need to practice overriding some by saying to yourself:
I am a capable, beautiful human with a lot to offer. I only need to be fully myself.
If you need career coaching or help practicing for your interview, book time with me! Initial chats are FREE with no strings attached.
Wishing you the career you dream of,