I've been interviewing.

15 Comments

1. AnonymousDecember 20,2022 at 2:03PM UTC

   Someone gave me advice once and it has helped. Go into the interview knowing you’re the right person for the job and be confident about it. Know your strengths and highlight those as much as possible. Know your resume and be prepared to talk about the high points. Review the posting for the job and highlight skills of yours that are more focused specifically towards the needs of the job. Remember you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Good luck!

2. Elizabeth WrenDecember 20,2022 at 2:10PM UTC

   Hi Andrea,

   Interviewing is difficult! Here’s my advice:
   1. Print or save the job description.
   2. Identify and write down the things you have done that illustrates your experience in those areas. And be sure to include related or transferable skills.
   3. Review what you listed for number two and be sure to add quantifiable impact. (Ex: Successful partnerships led to hiring 95% of my goal which contributed to the business exceeding their goals.)
   4. Be yourself! Interviewing is stressful and trying to be prepared for all of the things can take away from your ability to be comfortable. So you have to be intentional.

   You got this!! Good luck!!
   Liz

3. JoAnna BrandiDecember 20,2022 at 2:24PM UTC

   Absolutely ! I'm a happiness coach and know a lot about a lot of things (I've also been a consultant for over 30 years). Before you get on zoom sit quietly for a few minutes and breathe deeply. Don't think about the interview. Put your hand on your heart and bring to mind something you love and appreciate - the beauty of the ocean, a beloved pet, chocolate cake - just something that you really appreciate. Breathe these wonderful feelings of appreciation into your heart, continue for a few moments and allow the warm feelings to spread in your chest. THEN put a smile on your face and turn your camera on. By doing this you are "vibing up" and creating a different state in your body and most importantly you are creating connections in your brain that will help you ace those questions. That exercise alone will make you smarter! Good luck.

4. AnonymousDecember 20,2022 at 4:15PM UTC

   I think not anticipating the questions and just trying to remain conversational might help.

   There is such a thing as being too prepared. It weakens your spontaneity and humor making you seem nervous and without personality.

   You want to come across as human and good natured.

5. SandraDecember 20,2022 at 4:22PM UTC

   Sometimes, I have a similar issue with being nervous and speaking too fast. I pray a lot. In my prayers, I'm asking for strength, confidence and to be able to speak clearly to get my point across, so that I don't appear to be nervous. I also tell myself, that I will do a great job and remember..... that they don't know you................so if you come across as confident............it usually shines through for me. I also do deep breathing and repeat positive affirmations before the meeting time.

6. Barb HansenDecember 20,2022 at 7:12PM UTC

   Are you sure that you come across as nervous and that's leading interviewers to not move forward?

   It sounds like you are well prepared for your interviews, and you have an impressive work history and resume.

   There are thousands of reasons why qualified candidates don't move forward in the interviewing process and many of those reasons aren't related to the candidate.

   Although I think it's worth spending time reviewing what I did wrong and right during an interview (which you are doing), but I also think it's not good to spend a lot of time on "self-doubt island" after an interview, because, for me, self-doubt island tends to grow and I can have trouble getting off that island which doesn't serve me well for the next interview.

   Top Tip from me to you:

   Remind yourself that you are a great employee and any company would be grateful to have you.

   Prepare well for the interview (which you do).

   Show the interviewer who you are and why they should hire you (which I bet you do).

   Follow up with an insightful email.

   And if the company doesn't move forward with you, remind yourself that it's their loss.

   ;)

7. AnonymousDecember 21,2022 at 1:51AM UTC

   Remember that your nervousness is helping you to stay alert and engaged, which is a plus.

   Also remember that you would not have been invited to interview if the company was not impressed by your experience. You’ve already made a great impression, so don’t worry about being yourself.

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistDecember 21,2022 at 2:48AM UTC

   Congratulations on getting lots of interviews - your resume is doing its job!

   One thing I recommend to candidates is to tape themselves asking themselves questions and then answering them. I promise you, that answer will sound a whole lot better the 20th time you say it than the first.

   This will allow you to edit your answers to precisely get across what you want. I used to practice in the car, in the shower. Doing this can help improve your confidence if you get nervous or help you stay on point if you sometimes ramble. You can also have notes or an outline to keep you on track.

   And please make sure you listen and answer the question you were asked. I've had candidates talk for 5 minutes and not answer the question I asked them.

   I always tell my candidates "you're going to be talking about you and you're already the Subject Matter Expert on that". Think of the interview as a getting to know each other conversation. It's a two way street, you should be interviewing them too and they should be trying to impress you about what a great place it is to work. If you think of them not having all the power, it might make you less nervous.

   If, at the end of the interview, you're still interested in the position, don't be afraid to tell them that. Ask what next steps look like, what their timeline is and say "I hope to hear from you soon or I'm looking forward to next steps - I am really interested in this position".

   And personally, I always send a thank you note if I want the job.

   YOU GOT THIS - GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

9. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterDecember 22,2022 at 6:00PM UTC

   great advice here already -- so --

   1. you know yourself best - so keep your eyes and ears open to what's going on behind the scenes - i.e., is there a way your nervous system may be warning you off about a role? (or is it just your own habit?)
   2. make it fun - be yourself - they're going to hire YOU and YOU are going to show up to work when you land the job - so you may as well be 100% you - the best version of you - but still. It's okay to laugh, to own the nervousness and to even say "I've got to tell you, I'm really excited about this opportunity, and I'm a little nervous, " when you start out. (I'm a recruiter and I have a ton of empathy - especially with people who are up front like this - because some people come off as snarky or elitist when they're nervous so better to own it up front)
   3. When you're finishing up as a good open ended question, "are there questions you still have about my ability to do this job?"

   Keep going !

10. SandraDecember 22,2022 at 9:04PM UTC

    I love this advice Peggie!

11. Liz MilneDecember 22,2022 at 10:55PM UTC

    How did it go, Andrea?

12. Andrea RosenhaftDecember 23,2022 at 8:46AM UTC

    Hi Everyone. Thanks so much for all your great suggestions. I think it went well, at least better than prior interviews. I think I have a shot at least. I will find out next week. Keep your fingers crossed. Happy Holidays!

13. Andrea RosenhaftDecember 29,2022 at 8:19AM UTC

    Hi Everyone. I got the job!!!! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments and great suggestions. They worked!!! I'm meeting with my future supervisor later today to discuss salary and other details. What a great way to start the New Year. Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

14. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | RecruiterDecember 29,2022 at 8:01PM UTC

    WOOHOO!!! congrats!

15. Andrea RosenhaftDecember 30,2022 at 6:39AM UTC

    Thank you!