I was contacted by a recruiter about 8 months ago for something I had considered my dream job. The interview with the company went very well. However, taking the position would have required relocation. With COVID wreaking havoc on schools, I didn't feel right uprooting my family without the right supports in place for my child. Since that time, the recruiter reached out a second time in late fall, which was still COVID dicey, and now again a few weeks ago with a slight change in the role.
With the uptick in optimism the pandemic has an end in sight, I am going to re-interview with the company next week. The little voice inside my head is saying they want me on their team as much as I want to join them. The confidence of my chances of success are paired with imposter syndrome and failing to secure the opportunity of a lifetime.
I keep repeating to myself, "deep breath, be authentic, and take one moment at a time." Any advice to help shore up my confidence without appearing arrogant or ingenuine would be warmly appreciated.
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10 Comments
10 Comments
Dustspot
91
Organizational Dev. and Talent Mgt. consultant.
02/06/21 at 4:34PM UTC
Focus on your past accomplishments and what you have to offer. nobody knows exactly what a job is going to entail until they are in it. In fact a recruiter I just interviewed with said he wasn't sure what this job did, because they normally don't hire for it, so they are looking for the person to define what they'll be doing! If you work well with a team, you seem like a good fit, that is what they are looking for. Of course your skill sets have to match, and they seem like they do. Everyone feels like they're an impostor at one point or another, and in a sense we are until we figure out exactly what everyone expects of us and how we can define the role. Remember you are in charge of your career and can control, to a certain extent, your growth and path in the position. You are not an imposter. They know your experience, and as long as you have done what you said, you are a good fit.
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Anonymous
02/06/21 at 4:56PM UTC
I just finished interviews yesterday with a company that seems to want me so it's mine to .... win. My mind is rampant with insecurity and I am doing my best to let those thoughts breeze on by and redirecting my thoughts to the positive feedback and accomplishments in my life. Example "Yes, I may 'lose' this even doing my best and would be able to deal with that." "Yes, I may get this and face the next steps which put a knot in my stomach (negotiation, move) and I would manage those as they come." We got this.
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Sarah Larson
95
Improving lives by implementing research.
02/06/21 at 5:51PM UTC
Ask if they would consider you remote until the panorama is over? If they have you working remotely anyway, it doesn’t make sense to force an early relocation.
Regarding confidence. Have a list of your accomplishments in your current role/time in your life handy. Not only will it remind how much of a badass you are but you’ll be able to easily refer to them during the interview.
User edited comment on 02/06/21 at 5:52PM UTC
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Courtney Oliver
65
HR Professional. Career Advisor. Board Member.
02/06/21 at 6:20PM UTC
Agree with all the advise already shared. The third time is the charm. The recruiter is working on hard for you and keeps selling you. So no imposter syndrome necessary as you already have what it takes. The interview is to seal the deal, the get to know you. Interviews to me are a moment to confirm what I read on paper, learn more about you and your work style. But most importantly get to know you to determine if I wilk enjoy woeking along side of you. Will I want to go to lunch or happy hour with you. Your resume is your skills the interview is your personality/style test.
Come prepared to talk about your accomplishments but also your passion. Your desire to learn and grow. Highlight why this is your dream company. What about the companies mission and culture excite you.
When you land the offer you revisit the relocation piece. Explain your concerns and ask if relocating in a year is possible given the current state of the world. Practive your art of negotiation now.
You've got this.
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1 Reply
Anonymous
02/06/21 at 6:48PM UTC
Exciting part is...I've never had to relocate for a job! I don't have those negotiation skills. It is going to be an adventure.
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1 Reply
Courtney Oliver
65
HR Professional. Career Advisor. Board Member.
02/06/21 at 7:27PM UTC
Well start thinking about it. Your offer is coming. My fingers are crossed for you.
Start doing your research on cost of living, schools etc.
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QQ
15
02/07/21 at 2:58AM UTC
Shore up your confidence you ask? Yep...visualise that you already have the job and this is nothing more than just a meeting...The prerequisite to this level of confidence is preparation - know that subject matter cold! This allows you to show them in the interview that they are the ones lucky to have you, not the other way round. This isnt feel good motivational stuff...remember what is said earlier - its all about preparation and knowing the subject matter and then visualizing success. To do this, it takes a lot of time and effort and thats the price you will have to pay for a successful interview. Note that the delivery is also important - you mention you (rightly so) dont want to appear arrogant - visualize a humble yet knowledgeable delivery, that you would get along well with the team etc
User edited comment on 02/07/21 at 3:01AM UTC
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Anonymous
02/07/21 at 2:58PM UTC
As one who has had a career change in my mid-fifties and still trying to define who I am, I am the poster-child for imposter syndrome. I recently interviewed for one role with the state that was drawing from experience that I had in my first career (20-30 years ago), (a job that was pulled before they hired anyone) so when I went for my first interview for a second job with the state that was more up to my current career and very much in line with the direction I want my career to go (even more than the other job I interviewed for) I kept in mind my years of experience with the job I currently have, and all of the successes I had in that position. Although I felt nervous and awkward during the first interview it impressed them enough to call me back for a second interview where rather than ask me about my experience the questions were situational (i.e. if you had a client with this sort of issue, how would you handle it?) I was not expecting this but once again was able to come up with answers that had them all nodding in the affirmative as I gave my answer.
My biggest suggestion would be, when you prepare for the interview, consider those types of questions, (how you have or would handle a sticky situation or client, and what are your feelings about situations you might encounter in the new role). During the interview, there is no reason to jump right into an answer to any question. Take your time and collect your thoughts and if you need them to clarify the question it is better to ask than go off on a tangent that isn't related to the question. You might buy a little time by starting with, "that is a really interesting question, [pause], and as I think about it, [pause], I would probably (...) This does two things: It (1) shows them that you appreciate the seriousness of the question and (2) you are not one to jump into something without first thinking it through.
Research the company and the position as much as possible, and during the interview interject items of what you know about them into the conversation. Say or ask things about how the role would interface with another part of what the company does. Bring up things that show them you have done as much homework on them as they have done on you.
The biggest positive I see in your post is that even after eight months, they were impressed enough to come back to you and ask you to try again. Even though the role may have changed a bit, just remember, you are not an imposter, you are a woman of worth. They believe it so you need to believe it too.
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Anonymous
02/07/21 at 4:04PM UTC
As others have suggested, I would ask about the possibility to work remotely until the end of the pandemic or at least until the summer. That will give you time to look into schools and support services for your child for the next school year.
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Anonymous
02/17/21 at 2:58AM UTC
UPDATE: waiting for the recruiter to finish checking the boxes (verify education, check references) and for the company to send an offer letter...and praying something unforeseen doesn't happen.
:)
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