Change the way you think about interviews
There are plenty of mistakes job seekers make when preparing for interviews. But one that is hard to overcome is mindset.
When I’m coaching someone to get ready for a job interview, I often hear comments and concerns that show the mindset of the candidate. Things like:
- “I hope I have good answers to their questions”
- “I hope they ask me about [fill in the blank]”
- “I wonder what they’re going to ask me.”
While it’s important to think ahead and prepare for what may come your way in an interview, asking questions like these are not the most helpful way to prepare.
Instead, it shows a mindset that you are actually planning to be reactive, rather than going in with a proactive plan.
Hoping that you’re asked the right questions and hoping that you have the right answers is not going to cut it.
You need to first change your mindset to understand that interviews aren’t about hoping. They’re not about thinking you have no control.
They’re about you going in with an intentional strategy. Thinking that you do have control.
Only then can you prepare correctly – and in a way that gives you the best chance to stand out in your interview.
What interviews aren’t for
This statement will surprise you. I encourage you to keep reading! If you want to stand out, you need to approach the interview differently than the other candidates. This is a great way to do it.
So, what aren’t interviews for?
Answering the interviewer’s questions.
Umm, are you sure? Yes, I’m sure. Let me explain.
If you go into an interview with the mindset that you are completely at the mercy of whatever the hiring manager asks, it’s difficult to feel confident. While you do need to legitimately answer questions in an interview, that’s not the main point.
So what is the point? The point is for you to enter the interview with a specific goal and intentional strategy. You need to walk into that room with a plan to share what YOU want to share, regardless of the questions you get asked.
I’ll get into this more further into the post, but for example, you need to walk in with a narrative you want to get across, specific examples you’re going to share no matter what, and specific comments and/or skills you want to tell the hiring manager.
And these are items you plan to intentionally tell the interviewer – regardless of the questions asked! You’ll work them into the interview no matter what.
Bottom line
Your goal is not to walk in and answer their questions and hope the hiring manager gets what they need to see your value.
Instead, your goal is to purposefully share content (i.e. stories, skills, examples, comments, etc.) that you have intentionally, carefully crafted – and to find a way to share all this no matter what you’re asked.
What interviews are for
Simply put, walking into a job interview is your chance to show that you have the skills to do the job, the passion to stay motivated, and the ability to work well with the team. These are the three things every hiring manager is looking for.
Your job is to approach the job interview with a plan.
Being intentional and go in with a plan
Every good football coach plans for each specific game. He doesn’t just ‘hope our players play well enough to win.’ He enters the game with specific plays in mind and specific opponents to keep in check.
Similarly, you need to enter each job interview with a specific plan. Not just a few examples you hope you get to share. But a really well thought-out overall strategy for the interview.
Here’s the key thing to keep in mind – during the interview you need to tell the hiring manager what you wanted to tell them. Regardless of what you’re asked!
To help with this, here’s a list of items you should ask yourself. Use this to craft your strategy and plan what you need to tell the hiring manager.
As a result, this will boost your confidence since you’ll enter the interview already knowing much of what you’re going to share during the interview.
Ask yourself these questions
- Why did I apply to this role? This can help you intentionally answer “Tell me about yourself.“
- Why am I excited about this role? Make sure you know this. And make sure you tell the interviewer on multiple occasions.
- What is unique about me? Maybe this is an experience, a previous job, or a project you’ve worked on. Knowing your unique value proposition will help you share reasons – throughout the interview – that you should be hired. It can also help you intentionally answer “Why should I hire you?“
- What is going on in this organization/industry, and what do I want to provide an opinion on? Having a good sense of the organization and industry can be helpful to not only be seen as an expert, but also someone who can learn. In addition, it can help you craft robust, strategic questions at the end of your interview.
- What are the top 3 skills I want to ensure the hiring manager knows I have?
- What are the 5 situations or examples I want to share no matter what? Think through what you want to get across and make sure it matches up with the top skills the hiring manager is looking for.
Conclusion
Mindset is critical when approaching a job interview. You need to shift your mindset in order to fully and correctly prepare.
As you prepare for interviews, you need to understand that your goal is not to walk in and answer the hiring manager’s questions. Your goal is not to hope they ask you ‘good questions’ and that you have ‘good answers.’
Your goal is to intentionally prepare for the interview, walk in with a plan, and tell the hiring manager what you prepared to tell them – regardless of what you’re asked.
Shifting this mindset will:
- Shift how you prepare for interviews
- Build your confidence, since you’ll know ahead of time most of what you’re going to say
- Make sure you stand out from other candidates, since most job seekers haven’t shifted their mindset
Discussion
I’d love to hear from you! Join the conversation with the Equipped Community – we’re in this together! In the comments section below, share your thoughts on the following question.
What surprises you about this approach?
