Preparing for a job interview involves several aspects: Understanding yourself, understanding the company and job, and developing answers to potential questions (including formulating what questions to ask the potential employer). 360 Job Interview can help you prepare for all of these things with 360° Career Coaching. We’ll set you up with a professional who specializes in your industry and will guide you to selling yourself using the strengths you have to offer.
Get to Know Yourself
In this marketplace, it is very important that you are able to articulate on a resume and in an interview what makes you stand out from the pack. For an in depth assessment and professional structuring of your resume, 360 Job Interview can give you the advantage you need to get your skills and experience to really shine. As an option for self-assessment, I refer you to the book “Career Distinction” by William Arruda and Kirsten Dixon.
You need to be able to communicate to others your past achievements, present strengths, and potential contributions. Laura Allen, in a recent seminar at Pace University, stated that it is important to demonstrate what you do best, rather than branding yourself as a generalist who can do everything well. A great way of starting this process is suggested by Katherine Hansen in her recently published book, “Tell Me About Yourself, Storytelling to Get Jobs and Propel Your Career.” She suggests that you write up stories about yourself that demonstrate your competencies. It is important that you don’t sound like a talking and walking job description.
Another important activity is to make a list of your accomplishments. For each accomplishment list what skills that were necessary to achieve that result. Make sure that the accomplishments are discussed in terms of quantifiable and observable results if possible. At the end of this process you will have a list of key competencies and specific examples that demonstrate them.
Every job that requires a college degree requires at least three areas of competence in addition to technical skills. They are analytical skills, interpersonal skills, and administrative or organizational skills. Make sure that you have at least two examples of each before the interview. If you don’t prepare these adequately before the interview, it will put much more pressure on you. Don’t waste your energy on trying to come up with good answers during the interview, prepare. 360° Interview Coaching can provide you with the skills to blow your interviewer away.
The next post in this series will focus on how to obtain and utilize knowledge of the company to get you ready for the interview.
