A LinkedIn connect contacted me last week because she was nervous about her interview. I shared a few tips in hopes she would ace it! Not even 24 hours later, she states:
“I made it through the interview. I think I did ok but not stellar. There were a couple of questions where they asked if I had experience in something I hadn’t done. I didn’t answer them well because I could have given other examples of things I’d done.”
She experienced “interview regret”. I didn’t want this for her any more than I want it for you but I have to ask…..Was it avoidable? The answer is: ABSOLUTELY!
The negative impact of “interview regret” includes:
- Guilt: “I should have or shouldn’t have said…” is a heavy burden you don’t want to bear and don’t have to bear. You have 100% control of what you’ll communicate during the interview; allow your words to influence the hiring manager’s decision in a way that favors you.
- Missed opportunity: You never get a second chance to make a first great impression. Once you leave the interview, the window of opportunity for that role is closed. Average answers can be avoided in most instances when you prepare strategically by aligning your skills with those the employer seeks. You want a GREAT first impression- don’t settle for making a good one.
- You didn’t get hired: When you fail to receive a job offer, this could result in fewer earnings, a less fulfilling career and more stress!
Unless you proactively incorporate the following, you too run the risk of experiencing “interview regret”:
- Position yourself. Whether it’s managing your workplace reputation, absorbing information and applying it or managing your social media profiles; you must position yourself for an anticipated opportunity. Your next role could arrive via recommendation, not necessarily because you applied for an opening. Making career moves may not mean you’re the one initiating the move; you could be tapped and when that happens, you must be ready.
- Prepare yourself. When you arrive for an interview, you must confidently communicate your skills. This is a non-negotiable. Have the confident conversation and also understand what it takes in 2017 to effectively answer STAR questions. Successful interviewing requires a language we don’t speak on a daily basis. If you want to speak “interviewing fluently”, join me Sat for my upcoming workshop: No Average Responses
- Silence your inner critic. 92% of Americans experience nervousness before or during an interview. In order for you to be in the 8%, you must believe you can do the job. Always remember the employer contacted you because they believe you can do the job. The question is: why don’t you? My LinkedIn connection added another layer of nervousness by mentioning the interview was intimidating. In this case, the Superintendent was a panelist so she made up a plethora of reasons why the Superintendent’s presence was “intimidating.” When I asked “how much of what you’re thinking is fact?” She stated “10%.”
In order to get rid of nervousness, you must get rid of the mental noise. Position yourself, prepare yourself and place yourself in the 8%.