Nail Your Next Interview
For most job candidates, the excitement of going after a new job hinges on one big obstacle: the interview. Trying to pitch yourself to a potential employer can be an anxiety-inducing process, but it’s because we often think of the job interview the entirely wrong way!
Imagine walking into an interview. What would you be thinking about? Likely reminding yourself to keep eye contact and ensure a firm handshake, rehearsing your job history and those lists of skills and lessons. But what if, instead, you were thinking more about where you were walking into: Was the interviewer on time? How easy was the application process? Did they welcome me genuinely?
Forget the nerves and remember that you’re interviewing them just as much as they’re interviewing you! That mindset shift can help show you that an interview shouldn’t be something to be feared—but rather something to get excited about! It’s a process that can show you your strengths, what you want to work on, and where you truly want to drive your career.
Here are five simple ways to reframe your ideas about the job interview process so you can nail your next interview:
Do Your Research
Often, our anxieties about the job interview may stem from our uncertainties: What if they ask me a question I don’t know? What if I mess up? What if they can tell I’m faking this confidence?
Answer those questions with research! The more you know, the more truly confident you’ll feel, and that can significantly ease the stresses of a job interview. Learn as much as you can about the organization and the role, and even the industry, to help you have the most informed conversation. Researching in advance can also start giving you the first sense of whether this job is for you.
Have Meaningful Questions To Ask
We’ve all heard the advice that you should always have one or two questions in your pocket to ask at a job interview. But don’t just have them prepared to check the box!
Steer clear of only asking questions about hours or pay or the next steps in the hiring process. Instead, think deeply about any concerns you might have about the position, your qualifications, the responsibilities or even the mission of the organization. That will show the interviewer that you’re genuinely interested in advancing your career in the right place—and if they’re the right place, it’ll be a win!
Rehearse, But More Importantly, Reflect
It’s always a good idea to know ahead of time what you want to say in an interview—but that can be more of a reflection process than a rehearsal. Looking back on your previous roles gives you a great opportunity to understand the experiences you’ve had and the skills you’ve gained. This provides valuable insight into where you’re moving your career.
Always Look For Alignment
As you’re in the interview, keep your goal top of mind: to find an employer and a role that are the best fit for you. Let that guide how you answer questions. When the interviewer asks about a previous work experience, for instance, let your answer connect to both your professional goals and what you understand to be the objective of this potential role. If that’s an easy thing to do, that could be a great signal that this is a good fit for you.
Be Yourself
If you get the job, you’ll want to bring your whole self to work. So, be your whole self at the job interview! The less you’re trying to project a certain image and just become comfortable with being yourself, the more at ease you’ll be in the interview. That gives you the space to insightfully evaluate the potential job and to show the interviewer all that you have to bring!
