Preparing for an Interview, Version 2.0
18 August 2015
Read by 4399 persons
Scanning the company website, reviewing the job posting and preparing common questions: that's how you prepared for an interview... ten years ago. Today, here's the new approach to improve your chances.
Sophie Audet, a business coach specializing in career transitions, regularly helps people prepare for important job interviews. What she notices is that people underestimate the first step: getting to know themselves. "We want to sell ourselves, but we forget to emphasize our strengths and assets. We need to know how to use the positive feedback we've received in the past," she says. Once this basic advice is integrated, several things can be done to tackle the interview head-on.
1. Self-Marketing. The notion of personal "branding" is paramount, even if a job interview is already scheduled. Indeed, employers inevitably do an Internet search before meeting a candidate, and it's unthinkable that the latter would not have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile, including a short biography in the introduction. This is also the time to remove any unflattering photos or information from social networks.
2. Researching the Employer and Interviewers. There was a time when access to information wasn't easy. But on planet Google, interview preparation is greatly facilitated. "Today, it would be unacceptable to show up for an interview without having not only researched the desired company, but also the individuals who will be met," believes Sophie Audet. According to her, taking the time to do some research on the employer makes contact easier at the time of the meeting. You can also take the opportunity to do more extensive research on the main competitors, for example, as well as on the upcoming challenges for the company.
3. Preparing Messages to Convey. Sophie Audet recommends taking advantage of broad, open-ended questions (such as the famous: "Tell us about yourself?") to insert prepared messages. "What do we want people to take away from this interview?" we should ask ourselves. We thus prepare three or four strong points that we will naturally insert at the right opportunity to ensure that we convey the desired message.
4. Anticipating the Worst Questions. To prepare for the worst, the business coach suggests that candidates prepare the 10 worst questions that could be asked, based on each person's personal background. "It's not about looking for typical questions on the Internet, but rather reflecting on the moments in our career that we are least proud of, in order to present them in a better light," she explains.
5. Calm Down. Once you're prepared, there's nothing left to do. You have to accept that part of the success or failure of the job interview simply rests on the chemistry with the interviewer.
Takwa Souissi.
Workopolis.com
Published August 10, 2015.
Posted online August 18, 2015.
Sophie Audet, a business coach specializing in career transitions, regularly helps people prepare for important job interviews. What she notices is that people underestimate the first step: getting to know themselves. "We want to sell ourselves, but we forget to emphasize our strengths and assets. We need to know how to use the positive feedback we've received in the past," she says. Once this basic advice is integrated, several things can be done to tackle the interview head-on.
1. Self-Marketing. The notion of personal "branding" is paramount, even if a job interview is already scheduled. Indeed, employers inevitably do an Internet search before meeting a candidate, and it's unthinkable that the latter would not have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile, including a short biography in the introduction. This is also the time to remove any unflattering photos or information from social networks.
2. Researching the Employer and Interviewers. There was a time when access to information wasn't easy. But on planet Google, interview preparation is greatly facilitated. "Today, it would be unacceptable to show up for an interview without having not only researched the desired company, but also the individuals who will be met," believes Sophie Audet. According to her, taking the time to do some research on the employer makes contact easier at the time of the meeting. You can also take the opportunity to do more extensive research on the main competitors, for example, as well as on the upcoming challenges for the company.
3. Preparing Messages to Convey. Sophie Audet recommends taking advantage of broad, open-ended questions (such as the famous: "Tell us about yourself?") to insert prepared messages. "What do we want people to take away from this interview?" we should ask ourselves. We thus prepare three or four strong points that we will naturally insert at the right opportunity to ensure that we convey the desired message.
4. Anticipating the Worst Questions. To prepare for the worst, the business coach suggests that candidates prepare the 10 worst questions that could be asked, based on each person's personal background. "It's not about looking for typical questions on the Internet, but rather reflecting on the moments in our career that we are least proud of, in order to present them in a better light," she explains.
5. Calm Down. Once you're prepared, there's nothing left to do. You have to accept that part of the success or failure of the job interview simply rests on the chemistry with the interviewer.
Takwa Souissi.
Workopolis.com
Published August 10, 2015.
Posted online August 18, 2015.
