Interview ahead? Some tips on building confidence in your own abilities.
I got an e-mail earlier this week that gladdened my heart. A young lady I had coached in preparation for job interview told me that she had been successful and had landed her dream job.
As is usually the case when I am coaching for interview the client has talent and skills in abundance. Sadly what is also often the case is that they struggle to recognise and value them!
The reason that most come to me is that they are terrified of the thought of the interview and that they will do badly. I know from general conversations that is really common but the big issue – for both candidates and recruiters – is where that fear gets in the way of learning whether they are the right person for the job.
As an interviewer myself I have met with people who on paper have everything we were looking for but who are unable to tell me ( and provide evidence )- by the answers to the interview questions or in any other information they give – that that is really the case. What a disappointment.
I know that it is common to worry about not being able to answer the interview questions and this is where I believe that those who have faith in their own ability stand a better chance of being impressive as they will be better placed to draw confidently on past experiences and tell their stories thoughtfully and persuasively in answer to the interviewers questions.
I would like to make some suggestions if you are looking for a job ( or your loved one or friend is)
- Think about what you love doing at work ( even if you hate your current job there must have been something that gave you satisfaction) and why that is. What do you get out of it? How does it make you feel?
- Remember the good feedback you have had in the past. What were the common themes ? What did it say about you? What did it say about your level of skill?
- Why do you want this job? What caught your interest? How well do you match the lists of essential and desirable skills and what stories can you tell to illustrate that ?
- If you will have some learning needs to meet all of the requirements for the job how will YOU take responsibility for taking responsibility for that? Work out a plan.
Now is not the time to be shy or coy about your abilities. Interviewers are not ( usually) mindreaders! You need to talk your way into a great job .
There are of course no guarantees – you may just not be the right person. But at least you will know you did the best you could and take what you learned with you to the next interview.
If you would like more information on coaching for interviews just get in touch
I would also say once you start talking about something you love you start getting the interviewer “off script” and build that real conversation that every interviewer is really trying to get at. My main question after interviewing someone is “Where’s the vision?” I don’t care about how good you are at maintaining something I want to see how you are going to improve it. And to do that you really have to love some part of your job.
What a wonderful piece of advice, Dan – thank you. I agree that if you feel passionate about something then it will ooze out and candidates should not be afraid of that!
[...] good HR friend Dan Johnson made this comment on my previous post in which I wrote about how having confidence in your skills and talents could have an impact on [...]
Hi Jackie I know your coaching helped my husband with his interview technique! He didn’t get the particular job in question but has just recently started a new job elsewhere in Edinburgh. So, many thanks! C.
That is great news Christine – and thanks for sharing. As you will know then I always emphasise that coaching for interview is aimed at building the confidence that is so often missing when someone goes for interview. It does not guarantee getting that particular job but according to the feedback I have had when that happens my clients are just as prepared and even more confident about applying for others. And who knows – that might actually be a better result!
Please pass on my congratulations and best wishes to him