The job interview!
Your resume makes it through the piled jungle of resumes in the hiring manager’s office. You get THE CALL, and you feel elated! Finally! An interview! The big day arrives, but you’re so nervous you find it hard to express yourself! Ever happen to you?
“…people often wrote to her about how frustrated they felt after job interviews. In most cases, they weren’t upset about not getting the job — rather, they were upset that “I didn’t show them who I am.” -Shana Lebowitz ( A Harvard psychologist says there’s one factor that defines success in a job interview )
I can identify with that feeling of ‘not showing them who I really am.’ It’s frustrating to walk out of an interview knowing that the real you, for one reason or another, didn’t get a chance to come out.
Lebowitz shares a few tips to help prevent and deal with ‘not showing up’ during interviews – realizing you’re not the only one who struggles in this way, to focus on your core values – something that makes you, YOU, and to change your body language – hint: carry yourself as if you’re fearless, even if you don’t feel that way.
Connect with the Interviewers Before Your Meeting.
Two words: Information Interview. Can you find a way to connect with the people directly involved in the hiring process? Take them out for a coffee – one on one. Ask them about the job. Ask them about what it’s like working in the company. You need to ask about the company culture, and about the educational needs of the position you’re interested in. Learn about the challenges and rewards of the role, and what they need in a candidate for the position.
You’re not asking for the job here. You’re just asking about what it’s like to do that job, and to work in that organization.
Again: don’t ask for the job. This is an information interview. You’re gathering information, and making strategic connections in the company where you want to work.
In my case, I was able to meet several members of the interviewing committee that I interviewed with. By getting to know them before, I felt more relaxed during the actual interview.
Building relationships matter! It’s much easier to ‘show up’ with people you know, than with those you don’t.