Job Interview Tips
12 Secrets to Help You Change Careers -
Job interviews are hardly anyone’s favourite pastime. In fact many career changers find the interview process boring, nerve wrecking and challenging to say the least. However, with the right attitude job interviews can be a creative and rewarding process. This article shares simple yet powerful strategies through which career changers can excel at traditional job interviews.
1. Know who you are – It is all too easy to lose one’s individuality in the cut throat corporate world. Before embarking on a job interview, take the time to find out who you really are. Self discovery can be achieved through mental reflection, constructive feedback and the help of specialist resources. Your identity does not consist of material acquisitions and social status, rather your essence, beliefs and values. When you enhance your self awareness, your confidence will shine through at job interviews.
2. Know where you’re from – To get to where you want to be, you must first evaluate where you are coming from. Whilst preparing for your job interview, it is important to reflect on your career history and general life experience. For instance, if you are unhappy at your current job map out two separate sections on blank paper. In the first section, list the specific things you’re unhappy about; in the second section list what you’re happy about (if any). When you come across appealing job vacancies, you should likewise list the positives and negatives of each job role and make dispassionate comparisons. This will ensure that you make progressive career changes rather than go from bad to worse.
3. Know where you are going – Few people set long and short term goals and fewer people know what their life’s purpose really is. Get the edge over other interviewees by defining what career success means to you and outlining the specific steps you can take to achieve your goals. With clarity and focus you will progress steadily career wise.
4. Find the right job - Not all jobs warrant the hassle of interview preparation, so before squandering precious hours first find a job vacancy worth applying for. The ideal job is of course one that will utilise your greatest talents and give you the kind of fulfilment money cannot buy. Secondarily you will also need to consider factors such as pay, commute time, scope for career progression, organisational values, company stability and so on. Rather than applying for jobs in a random fashion, take time to define your career wants and look out for jobs that meet those requirements in order of priority. If you apply for suitable jobs, your chances of interview success and career happiness will be significantly improved.
5. Find your talents - Job interviews are a two way process; they’re not just about what you can gain from the employer but about what you can offer the latter too. Thankfully job ads are filled with clues as to the specific talents and behaviours employers find desirable. It’s a great idea to read the ad at least five times, then to map out three separate columns on blank paper. In the first column, write down all the skills and talents required to perform your ideal job successfully (e.g. computer, supervisory and organisational talents), in the second column write down the typical behaviours required of you (e.g. career minded, self starter and team player) and in the third column list the ethos and values of the organisation (e.g. creative, puts the customer first etc.). Next, ask yourself which of the desired attributes you possess and tick those off the list. If in doubt ask family and friends what your greatest talents are and how those talents match the job description. It is wise to take the time to discover and develop hidden talents and assets because they can significantly increase your perceived organisational value.
6. Find the problem – You are being interviewed because the company in question has ongoing or potential problems. Therefore it stands to reason that your success at the job interview determines on how well you are able to demonstrate your problem solving abilities. Find out more about your prospective employer’s wants and needs by conducting vigorous research. For instance you can carry out internet searches, speak to relevant staff, read company literature and browse through press archives.
7. Find the solution – Anyone can identify problems but it is only a winning candidate who can create solutions. Whilst preparing for your job interview, first seek a thorough understanding of your prospective employer’s wants and needs then brainstorm for helpful ideas and strategies. The more solutions you can proffer, the more capable you will appear. However, be careful not to give too much information away at the interview. Just say enough to demonstrate your expertise and generate positive interest.
8. Fire your desire – During the job interview, your interviewers will want to know if you genuinely want the job so it’s not wise to hamper your chances by coming across as nonchalant. Whilst preparing for the job interview repeatedly visualise yourself in the new role and keep your confidence levels high. Remember that we attract the things we focus intently on. If you carry out your due diligence and remain persistent, you will succeed at job interviews and build the career of your dreams.
9. Get inside knowledge – It’s important to find out, beforehand, what format the job interview is going to take. Will you be asked behavioural and situational questions for instance? Will you have to prepare a presentation or take any assessment tests on the day? The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be. It also helps to find out basic information about your prospective interviewers. How many people will be interviewing you on the day? What are their names? What age group do they belong to? What are their roles within the company? Again, if you know what to expect, you’ll feel more confident at the interview. Ask the prospective employer, recruitment agents and other reliable persons for detailed information.
10. Get some help – Often people find job interviews a chore because they do the preparations alone. But why bear the burden all by yourself when you can solicit the help of others? For instance, you can get close relatives to practice likely questions and answers with you or pay the neighbourhood whiz kid to carry out research on your behalf. If you are one of those people who can’t figure out what ‘smart casual’ really means, get a fashionable friend to help you select clothing for the day. If your morale is low, ask your nearest and dearest for encouragement and support. Remember that even the most unlikely people can offer unique perspectives and nuggets of wisdom too.
11. Do your best – It is true that you can only do your best, but aim to make your best good enough. Speak clearly and confidently at the job interview and maintain your natural style. For instance, if you are a slow talker don’t try to talk fast just because you want to sound keen on the job and if you are the serious sort don’t try to be overtly humorous either. Maintain eye contact with your interviewers throughout the interview as this will make you come across as honest, confident and intelligent. Just be your best self and you’ll make a positive impact at the interview.
12. Follow up – Never leave the interview room without a contact name and direct telephone number you can use for follow up purposes. However, make sure you find out how long you should wait before soliciting interview feedback. It is wise to send a thank you note a few days after the job interview and to ring for information within agreed timescales. If more follow up is required do so no more than twice per week, contacting the key decision makers (usually the interviewers) directly where possible. Do exhibit polite and professional behaviour at all times.
Well prepared candidates usually succeed at job interviews. Keep the above pointers in mind and you too can outshine your competitors, secure your dream job and enjoy lasting career happiness.
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Ogo Ogbata is a multi-talented writer, speaker and consultant. Author of the forthcoming non fiction title, ‘Creativity and Sense: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love’, she empowers people to find hidden talents, discover their purpose and create financially rewarding work that allows time and energy for what matters most.
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