With so many people on the move during the “Great Re-shuffle” now might be the time to polish your interview skills.
Last week, I sat down with a mid-six-figure executive to help him prepare for an upcoming interview. After our sessions, I wrapped up our meeting with these five reminders to consider before his interview this week.
1. 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻/𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄. Say to yourself “Before I leave that zoom meeting the people in the meeting will know these three to five things about me.” If at the end of the interview, you haven’t mentioned one or two items, say them in the meeting before it’s over.
“I’d be a great candidate for this job for the reasons mentioned and because (insert the one or two items you didn’t get a chance to mention yet).
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲. No one interviews people for the heck of it; it’s just too expensive to interview candidates who aren’t right for the role. Know, that they want you in this role.
Your job is to explain to them, clearly, why you’re the (Position Title) to take the reins of (Company /division). The reasons will likely be very similar, if not the same as your value proposition.
3. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲. It may feel like a lot is riding on this interview (and there is), but you will be the same talented person leaving the meeting as the one walking into the meeting.
Rather than feel the pressure build, imagine you already have the job and that the people asking the questions are simply getting to know you on your first day in the role. Educate them about you!
4. 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳. Once the interview is over, write down everything you can remember about the interview. What went well, what didn’t go so well, what can you improve? You’ll likely have a second interview. Debriefing your first interview will help you assess where you need to spend time preparing for interview number two.
5. 𝗕𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. There is a lot to think about, prepare for and remember as you head into your interview. If you remember nothing else, remember to be yourself. Let the employer get to know the real person they’ll be hiring to deliver results in this role.
𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀!
Related Categories: Client Story, Interview Strategy
About The Author
Maureen McCann is an award-winning career coach, master resume writer, and master certified interview, employment, and career strategist whose clients include C-level executives, managers, and professionals in all industries including the Canadian banking, oil and gas, healthcare, IT, and government sectors.