- Career Development
A compelling introduction:
Almost every interview starts with some form of the question, “Tell me about you”. This is the perfect opportunity to weave together your personal background, your education, your experience, and your skills that have brought you to this moment right here, talking about this potential job – and how that combination makes you the perfect candidate for this job right now.
A concise pitch:
Practice your pitch to keep the narrative tight. A lengthy, meandering story will not keep the interviewer’s interest. Instead, think of your path that brought you to this moment, and identify the crucial stepping stones that got you here. Talk about your journey here in terms of those exact stepping stones to keep it clear and compelling.
Anticipate the nerves:
Almost everyone gets nervous in an interview, and that’s okay! Accept that you’ll probably feel this way at some point, and take a deep breath when you feel it start to happen. If the nerves do get the best of you and you find yourself having a hard time being present or focusing on your responses, default to simply talking about why you’re so excited about this opportunity. As simple as that sounds, it can make your responses (even if they start to ramble and go off-track!) seem focused and connected to the larger story of your candidacy.
Stay positive:
Keep negativity out of the interview. Avoid talking about what you didn’t like at a former job, and instead focus on what you liked in that role, and what more you’d like to have as you look ahead. It can also go a long way to speak warmly about former colleagues and supervisors (if you’re able), as it can show that you’re a team player. Keep the conversation positive and upbeat, and focus on the future.
Express enthusiasm:
This one seems obvious, but sometimes when nerves kick in, it’s easy to forget the basics. Conveying your enthusiasm about the job you’re trying to get in every response goes a long way.
Interviewing is a skill, and like any skill it takes practice. Reach out to schedule a free one-one-one interview coaching session with a professional interview coach.