Don’t forget about one of the most overlooked part of the job search – interview preparation
Job seekers spend so much time and energy searching for jobs and perfecting their resume they often forget about one of the most crucial steps of the job search process: Interview preparation.
Some job seekers even think once they are called for an interview they can just be themselves and they are “in” and the candidate that will get the job. Not so fast. When you are called for an interview it means you have the skills, experience and are someone the company feels would be a possibility in this position. That’s it – a possibility. That’s why this is no time to relax and think the job is yours. Far from it.
Remember, a good resume gets you an interview, but a good interview gets you the job. And that’s why you need to practice and perfect your interviewing skills. One way to do just that is through a mock interview.
“If you’ve never had a mock interview you are missing out on a great opportunity to really understand how you perform, sound, and act, over the phone or in front of hiring decision makers,” says Cindy Edwards a Twin Cities-bases career development coach and President of Find Your Fit (tofindyourfit.com).
In addition to coaching services, Edwards also provides mock interviews. She recently talked about how a mock interview can be of benefit in the job search process.
Why are mock interviews important?
“For starters, a mock interview can help you practice answering difficult hiring questions like ‘why were you let go?’ or ‘how do you handle an unethical or difficult co-worker?’ A mock interview is also a great place for you to practice questions you want to ask the interviewer, ” says Edwards
How to get the most out of a mock interview
If possible job seekers should practice interviewing with an experienced professional such as an HR professional or career coach. Professionals can guide clients on hiring practices common in today’s job market. Be sure to ask the professional you hire if they have advice regarding different interview formats such as negative behavioral interviews – where all the questions are problem based, phone screen interviews, and team or panel interviews.
How do mock interviews work?
When Edwards meets with a client for a mock interview she coaches them on how to open the interview with a strengths statement that leaves a strong first impression – she calls this the ‘opener’. Next she teaches clients the best process for answering behavioral and traditional interview questions with results.
“I listen and provide feedback around how they answer questions and the types of questions they have prepared to ask the interviewer,” says Edwards. “Finally I help clients prepare a closing statement to leave a lasting impression at the end of the interview. My process includes customizing the mock interview towards the type of job the client is seeking and if known, the organization the client is interviewing at. I always encourage clients to dress for success for a mock interview. When completed, Edwards provides written feedback via an evaluation form that measures a variety of performance areas.
“Preparation is power when it comes to interviewing,” says Edwards. “Whether it is your first, second or 100th interview, a mock interview can help improve and enhance your interview performance.”
If you have an interview coming up, if you are hoping to interview soon, or just want to practice for the future, now is the time to contact Edwards for a mock interview. She is currently offering a 60-minute special for $40, which gets you all of this:
Mock Interview 60 minute Session – $40.00
Learn a sales process for interview success
Practice your pitch (don’t have one – let’s talk)
Practice answering standard and career customized interview questions
Practice asking questions
Practice closing the interview
Gain insights on what works and what doesn’t for phone, in-person and video based interviewing.
To set up your mock interview and get a chance to stand out from the rest of the job seekers contact Edwards at cindy@tofindyourfit.com or 612-325-1216.
