They say buying a house, getting married, and having a baby are stressful life events. I believe job interviews should also be on that list.
The nerves that grip us during interview, due to the enormous pressure we put on ourselves, can weigh us down more than they should. However, amidst this whirlwind of emotions, there's a glimmer of hope. My recent discussions with young professionals shows that most of our worries tend to gravitate around our ability to communicate effectively, especially when stress hormones course through our bodies and brains.
In the context of interviews, mastering the art of confident communication is not just essential—it's empowering. It's about conveying your skills, experiences, and qualifications in a manner that captivates and persuades. Which is easier said than done.
Here's a little-known fact: effective communication is not just about what you say; it's about how your message is received and interpreted by others. Which means you have to be continually interpreting the interviewer to be sure that what you are saying is landing correctly, and is understood. This can be difficult if you are nervous and your brain has literally flat-lined.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, fear not! Here are three top job interview tips to uplift your interview game and leave a lasting impression on interviewers.
3 Top Job Interview Tips
Tip 1: Prepare with Keywords:
Preparing for an interview should involve more than just memorising long-winded stories. In fact, it is the attempt to memorise and recall long stories or examples that is probably causing worry and stress before and during an interview.
Think of yourself as optimizing your personal brand for the interview, much like how search engines optimize web content for users. Just as SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) relies on keywords to improve a website's visibility in search results, memorising your experiences and history using keywords can help you effectively communicate because once you recall that keyword or keyword phrase, it leaves you space to speak naturally.
Consider the vast amount of information you've accumulated over the course of your career or education. Much like Google's vast repository of data, your experiences, skills, and achievements form a complex web of information that can be challenging to navigate. By distilling this information into concise keywords and phrases, you create a roadmap for yourself during the interview, ensuring that you cover all relevant points without getting lost in unnecessary details.
Furthermore, memorising your responses with dot points helps you maintain clarity and focus, ensuring that you deliver your message effectively and efficiently. Just as users appreciate concise and relevant content in search results, interviewers value candidates who can articulate their qualifications clearly and concisely.
I am not suggesting you respond in dot-point form. That would be odd. I am suggesting that as part of your usual preparation, summarise your career and typical response in dot point form, then spend time memorising those. Hopefully, during the interview this will allow you to speak naturally about yourself as you recall the keywords or key phrases, rather than searching your brain for long, verbose replies you have committed to memory, only to panic when they don't arrive.
By preparing with keywords and memorising dot points to prepare your responses, you'll feel more confident and organised during the interview, allowing you to showcase your skills and experiences in the best possible light.
Tip 2: Embrace Mindfulness with Mantra Meditation:
Mindfulness plays a crucial role in how you approach interviews.
Instead of succumbing to nerves and self-doubt, you may consider the practise of cultivating a positive mindset through mantra meditation. Spend ten minutes each day practicing mantra meditation. Find a quiet uninterruptible space. Sit down or lie down, and start to focus on slowing down your breathing and calming your state. Once you feel calmer, the you start repeating a positive mantra such as "I'm going to nail this interview." This practice will help cultivate a calm, zen-like energy that you can tap into during the interview.
This link below is access a very powerful 15 minute guided meditation session, which you may find useful, especially if you are new to meditation. There are plenty of guided meditations on YouTube that will be helpful, if this one doesn't align with you personally.
The science behind mind over matter is fascinating. There have been and continue to be many studies showing that our thoughts have a direct impact on our emotions and behaviors. When we dwell on negative thoughts or worries, our subconscious mind interprets them as real threats, triggering the body's stress response. This can manifest as physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and shallow breathing, further reinforcing feelings of anxiety and nervousness.
By practicing mantra meditation, you can interrupt this cycle of negative thinking and reprogram your subconscious mind for confidence and success.
By repeating positive affirmations such as "I am calm, I am confident, and I am capable," you send powerful signals to your brain that counteract feelings of fear and self-doubt. Over time, this practice rewires your brain to default to a state of calm and confidence, even in high-pressure situations like interviews. Which means practising this meditation daily during your job-hunting journey is critical to stabilising any nervous energy.
It is no secret that your thoughts create your reality. If you believe you'll feel nervous, you will be nervous, and this belief will manifest in your behaviour. You want to be living in the 'I am' verb, rather than the 'I will be' as it has much more power over your physical state during interview. Remember, you won the interview opportunity. They saw something in your application and in you that they like. And that something is that you are calm, confident and capable.
By adopting an expansive mindset through mantra meditation, I promise you, you can shift your internal dialogue from one of doubt to one of self-assurance. This not only enhances your performance in interviews but also improves your overall well-being and resilience in the face of life's challenges.
Tip 3: Anticipate and Address Objections:
During the interview, there may come a point where an objection is raised, and so taking the time to identify potential objections interviewers may have about you, whether it's gaps in your resume or lack of specific experience is critical.
For example, if you're a stay-at-home mom returning to work after a few years, you may encounter concerns about the gap in your employment history. In this case, it's essential to highlight the valuable skills and experiences you gained during your time away from the workforce. As a parent, I know the immense growth that occurs the moment you become a parent, and you should be ready to explain your journey. Having been through this myself, here are the three things I used when explaining why being a mother has increased, not decreased my competence.
Increased patience and empathy as I learnt to navigate the challenges of cultivating a child.
Enhanced time management and organizational skills to juggle the responsibilities of parenting alongside all other daily life commitments.
A deeper understanding of selflessness having to prioritse my child's well-being above my own.
An expanded appreciation of working with diversity, as I was surrounded by my husbands French family, in a system that does things quite differently to the UK.
Expanded discipline of grit and resilience to keep going during tough times.
Another example could be addressing a career change or transition. If you're switching industries or roles, you may face questions about your suitability for the new position. In response, focus on highlighting transferable skills and experiences that are relevant to the role you're applying for. Showcase how your previous experiences have equipped you with the capabilities to succeed in the new role, and express your enthusiasm for the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the organization.
By proactively addressing potential objections and showcasing your strengths and qualifications, you'll demonstrate your preparedness and professionalism, leaving a positive impression on interviewers.
In Closing.
So embrace mindfulness, prepare with keywords, and anticipate objections. These are not just strategies; they are tools in your arsenal for success. As you consistently and regularly practise these 3 skills, you'll not only enhance your performance in interviews but also cultivate a mindset of confidence and resilience that will serve you well in all aspects of your professional journey.
So go ahead, step into that interview room with confidence, knowing that you have the tools and abilities to succeed. Believe in yourself, stay focused, and let your unique qualities shine.
Best of luck on your journey to interview success!
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