Don’t worry, I’m not implying that you do a rush job search, cross your fingers and hope to get a job interview tomorrow! Far from that. What I want to encourage folks to do, during a time where so much is unpredictable and things are in limbo, is to revisit what’s within your control, and that is your story, and your interview skills.
Practicing Interview skills is for: Those who are unemployed, underemployed, unhappily employed, and even happily employed! Why?
The Journey from Brain to Mouth:
Because no matter where you are in your career, there’s a difference between your lived experiences and interests versus your ability to talk about them. You ever know what you want to say, or thought you did, but the minute you’re asked a question, you freeze?
The Juggles of 2020:
Let’s add in lots of zoom sessions, spending way more time in front of your laptop than people, then throw in the mental gymnastics of managing life during a pandemic, and well, any of us could get tongue tied.
The Time for Preparation:
Don’t wait until you’re invited for an interview that’s two days away to start practicing. I don’t doubt that you know why you’re interested in a job or know what skills you can talk about but don’t underestimate the importance of preparation.
5 Reasons Interview Practice Is A Must:
Practicing a job interview makes you…
- Find the key accomplishments and talents that make you an attractive candidate.
- Gather the best info about yourself for when you network.
- Stay on your toes and be confident for when you’re ready to make a change.
- Reflect on and articulate your career competencies.
- Energize your job search until you actually have the real thing!
Recruit your “Recruiters”…
- Ask yourself: Who do you know that’s honest, a great accountability partner, and even better, has experience interviewing people?
- Invite trusted friends, mentors, and fellow alumni to be your interviewers. You can also reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a while!
- To find alumni: Use our new site Emerge, that allows Emerson alumni to connect with one another.
- Use the ECDC interview guide for alumni to write down questions you need practice with.
- Pick 2-3 interview questions a week to practice.
You might be frustrated right now with a job search or career in general. That’s natural and no one is immune to it.
Don’t let it stop you from improving your communication skills. This will give you something to do, people to connect with, and you’ll be a little less nervous when you get the invitation
