I was recently coaching one of my clients who has been very successful in his career. He had been recently severed from his position due budget issues.

He had been on the job hunt for 2 months before he started working with me. In some of my initial discussions with him, I brought to his attention some really important steps that he was not doing. These steps or tips really must be done in order to become the “#1 Choice Candidate” in the interview process. Most people do not realize that to get the career change or shift that they most desire, they must prepare for it like an olympic athlete prepares to be the champion in their sport. Practice, practice, practice…visualize, visualize, visualize and be prepared and build your confidence and skills to outshine all competitors.

Tip #1- Be Prepared: Map out the directions on where your interview is, leave early to allow for getting lost. It is always better to be early and never ok to be late. It is imperative that you always dress well and appropriately for the interview. Have clean finger nails and well cut or styled hair. Wear an outfit that is “in-style”, in neutral tones that fits well and is appropriate for the job you are interviewing for. Men should be clean shaven with no hair hanging out for their noses!  Women should not overdo it on the make-up, by keeping their tones neutral and they should not wear any big jewelry. Shoes should be in good shape. It is usually better to err on the conservative side, and dress one notch up from what you would wear on the job, if you are unsure.

Tip #2- Practice: Always prepare for the interview by practicing 2-3 minute responses to the most asked interview questions.  You can find many books on this topic online, in the library or book store. Practice the answers while looking in the mirror, so you can see your facial expressions and develop your confidence. I also recommend practicing them with a friend or partner on video tape/DVD recording and watch the tape to analyze your positive and negative behaviors. Fix the negative ones and do not do them! Some negative behaviors could be nervous twitches that demonstrate a lack of self-confidence, rambling, saying UMMM a lot or not looking the interviewer(s) in their eyes. Practice makes perfect! Have fun and be able to laugh at yourself in the mirror or video/DVD. Most importantly, be your authentic-self and exude a positive can-do-attitude.

Tip #3-Be organized: Always have several resumes and several reference lists on separate pages, on quality paper stock in white or off white. Be consise and clear with your objective on your resume and have it be consistent with the job you are applying for.These resumes and reference sheets should be in separate manila folders and easily accessible in your brief-case, which also should be in good shape and “in-style.” If you only have 1 resume and there are 3 people interviewing you, chances are, you will miss out on the job opportunity, because you will appear unprepared for the interview. Your reference list should be updated with correct phone numbers and addresses. I recommend that you call all your references, prior to the interview, to ask their permission to use them as a reference. Also, let them know you are in the middle of a career change and share with them what positions you are interviewing for, so they can be prepared, if they are called. Only put people down as references who will say good things about you! Never give out a reference list unless you are asked.

Tip #4- Demonstrate that you’ve done your homework: It is critical that you have done your research on the company you are interviewing with and the job you are interviewing for within that company. If you are not “internet savvy”, ask a friend who is and have them print off some pages, off the internet, on the company that pertain to the type of position you are interviewing for. Bring the research info with you on the interview and have it in a separate folder with 3-5 questions you have written, in advance, to ask the interviewer(s). These questions should be spaced out on a page for you to write the answers down on. The research you do and the questions you ask, will show the interviewer(s) that you have done your homework and that you are very interested in the company and the position you are interviewing for. 

Tip #5-Do your “inner work”: Build your self-esteem to demonstrate you are confident that you are the best candidate that they can hire. This is where the visualization can come in. Sit in a quiet place the day before or the day of the interview and spend 10-15 minutes seeing yourself in that position. See yourself accepting the offer, with the salary you desire, see yourself in your office and see yourself doing the job with joy in your heart. Do not act arrogant, but walk in the room, shake hands with a firm hand shake, look the interviewer(s) in the eye and say “thank you for the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how I may serve your organization.” At the end of the interview, ask “What is the next step?” so, you can get a feel for what their process involves. You should be able to tell how well you did, by the way the interviewer(s) answer that question. Before leaving, say “I am very interested in the  career opportunity you have shared with me. I look forward to seeing you again soon!” Smile when you shake their hand and say “It was a pleasure meeting you.” 

Tip #6- Show appreciation and good manners: Always write a “thank you note” to all the interviewer(s) within 2 days of the interview. This step is very important! Even if you know you did not do well. Even if you got a job offer on the spot! If it is a corporate position, the note should be typed and on the same quality paper stock that your resume and references are on. Re-iterate some of the key points you discussed in the interview and re-emphasize why you are the best candidate for them to hire, based on your background, experience, track-record or personality. If it is a non-corporate job, you may hand-write the note, but  your hand writing must be neat and there should not be any spelling or grammar errors. Have someone edit if for you, if you have challenges in writing.The note should be on quality stationary card stock that has “Thank You” on it or that clean and conservative without too much fluff or cutesy art on it. Many people skip this thank you note step. It is critical to do it! If you take the time to do this step, it makes you “stick out” as someone “desirably different” with good manners and it may give you the competitive edge, if the choice is between you and 1 other person. Being gracious and showing appreciation for the interviewer(s)’ time and efforts will go a very long way and make them remember and appreciate you more. I always suggest sending thank you notes through the postal mail. E-mails are not as effective. Again, the point is to make your efforts bring attention to you and make you “stick out” from the crowd. Anyone can write an e-mail. Very few take the time to send a thank you note through the postal mail.

Tip #7- Follow up: After you send the thank you note, it is important to be patient and wait to see what happens. You may call them to follow up, after 2 weeks go by or based on the information that the interviewer(s) answered in your question in the interview on what the “next steps” would be. Do not badger the interviewer(s) or it could cost you the job opportunity.

Sometimes you have to go on several interviews to get into “interview shape” until everything “clicks” for you in the process of your job hunt or career change. It is always  great to have several opportunities going on at once so you have more negotiating power for your salary and benefits.You will know by how you feel in the interview, if you are doing well or not. If you pay attention to the interviewer(s)’ behaviors, you should be able to tell if they liked you. They usually give you buying signals with their smiles and by asking questions like “When could you start?” or “What are your salary requirements?” A hint, never share a number with them on the last question, just ask “What is your range?” and when they answer say “I am fine with that range.” Never negotiate salary until you have an official offer!

During your career change process, as a recap, it is very important to practice fine tuning your interview skills, visualize yourself in the position that you want, prior to the interview and build your confidence. If you do the prep work before every interview, you will shift your career and outshine the other candidates and eventually earn the position that you desire and deserve!

Believe in yourself. Trust that “everything happens for a reason” and that the “right fit” will eventually happen if you do your homework, follow all these tips and shine your magnificence in the interview!

Good Luck in your career shift and go for it!

Christina Carpentier

Master ShIFt Coach

Specializing in Career ShIFts