Interviews can be a stressful experience. You’re under the spotlight and it can feel like the interviewers hold all the cards when it comes to controlling the interview outcome. Let me explain why that’s not the case, why you’re in control of most of the process and how to prepare like a pro for your interview.

First, I've noticed that most people focus on the few aspects of the interview that they can't control. But, for the most part, the only thing you can’t control is what questions you’re asked. That’s it. Pretty much everything else is within your control. You see, you can control your preparation, mindset, how you deal with your nervousness, your response to those questions and your actual performance. That’s quite a lot of control you have.

 

Following my years of experience on both sides of an interview and as a career coach, here are the four steps you can take to prepare yourself for a job interview.

1.    Get into the right mindset

So, what is your mindset?

 

Well, your mindset is just a collection of thoughts and beliefs that shape your attitudes and how you typically think about things.

 

And how you typically think about things affects how you feel, and what action you do or don’t take. It impacts on how you make sense of the world.

 

So, as you can see,

 

Your mindset is a big deal.

 

When it comes to your interview mindset it’s important to avoid adopting a destructive mindset. For example, it’s easy to slip into the mindset that the interview is an examination or even an interrogation. Worse still, some people see an interview as an evaluation of them as a person. These mindsets are unhelpful and of course, inaccurate.

 

Instead, remember that interviews are just conversations with some people about what you have done in your career, what you have learned and how well matched you might be for the job they are advertising. 

 

Also, remember that the interviewers want you to relax, do your best and have a conversation with them. In fact, it can be helpful to think of the interviewers as your future colleagues. This helps you to enter the room with the right of confidence and professionalism. 

 

A growth mindset will support both your interview preparation and performance. A growth mindset focuses more on learning what you can do to improve rather than focusing on what’s not right. By doing this you will focus your energy on progress instead of preserving your ego. 

 

During preparation, spend time learning how to improve your performance. Also, seek out critical feedback so you can improve after each interview. People with growth mindsets focus on the process, rather than the outcomes.

 

The next step is to …

 

2.    Do your research

The research stage is when you find out as much as you can about the job, the company, the interviewers and even the industry. We will look at each one in turn but before we do I urge you to look at some advanced google search tips. You will likely be using google in your research and getting the best out of the search engine will be important.

 

 

First and foremost, you should know what the job and person requirements are for the role. This information is usually easy to find and will form the backbone of your preparation. Most interview questions will be based on the job and person specification. This information, therefore, enables you to position yourself as the best candidate for the position.

 

You can also find out information on company websites to get an idea of the type of work you will be doing and what type of employees they are looking for. In addition, see if you can reach out to current employees who work at the company and ask them about the company and their values.

 

You can also learn more about the company culture by following the company on its social media networks.

 

 

These are the employees who hold important positions in the company. They can be managers, department directors, and especially the company's CEO.

 

You can find out who the key players of the organisation by reading the employer’s “About” page or by doing a google search on the company. It’s also a good idea to check out what these individuals on Twitter and LinkedIn to learn what employees say about the company online.

 

 

It makes sense that you find out who will be interviewing you. This will give you a better chance of understanding and hopefully connecting with them. See if you can locate the person’s name from the interview correspondence you have been sent. If you can’t find the names of the interviewers, politely ask the person who you have been communicating with.

 

Once you have this information, do some research on LinkedIn and Twitter. This will help you understand the interviewer’s background, their position and, if you are lucky, some common interests you both share.

 

 

When you go into a job interview, it’s good to know the company’s latest news and updates. Most companies have a news page on their website you can look at and remember to search for news on google remembering those advanced tips I referenced earlier.

 

 

It’s useful to know the type of work you’d be doing if you start working for the company. Doing research on the company’s clients, types of products and services will give you a wider understanding of the company and help you to better prepare for the interview. You can usually find this type of information in company blogs, case studies and reports. Again, google is your friend.

 

 

It’s also worth doing a bit of research on what people are saying about the company. Websites such as Glassdoor can help you find hidden information about the company that’s difficult to find. You can find things like salary details, employee reviews, interview experiences and more.

 

 

3.    Practice

Taking the time to practice before a job interview will help you feel comfortable during the job interview, improve your interview skills, and increase your chances of success.

 

Rehearsal is one of the best ways to practice and you can do this solo or with a family member or friend. A mock interview with a professional is another way to learn and practice interviewing skills. 

 

 

One of the simplest ways to practice is to create a list of expected interview questions and answer each question aloud. The more you practice, the more you will be prepared to deal with the question if it comes up. Remember, it's important to practice out loud to get used to hearing your answers, and so you get more comfortable speaking.

 

 

Another option is to use flashcards. On one side of the flashcard pose a likely question. On the reverse bullet point, your ideal response. By shuffling the flashcards, you will become comfortable answering questions in any order. If you struggle to answer a question, refer to the ideal response and go ahead and speak out loud your intended response.

 

 

If you can, record your answers to these questions and play them back to yourself. Look at your body language, your posture and eye contact. Make notes about how you could improve your response for next time. 

 

4.    Take care of the practical issues

 

When it comes to the practical issues, you're in complete control of the situation. Here are some valuable things to consider before your interview.

 

If your interview is via video, choose an appropriate interview 'space' where you won't be disturbed, with good internet connectivity. You will also want to ensure you have good lighting and audio and ideally have a relatively plain background.

 

 

Asking thoughtful questions during and particularly at the end of the interview can make a great first impression. Therefore, prepare several questions to ask. Your questions should show that you've already researched the job and company, but you're looking to have a more thorough understanding of the position. Here are some questions you might ask:

 

- What's a typical day like for a person in this position?

- What's your favourite thing about working for this company?

- I've enjoyed learning about this role. What are the next steps in the recruitment process?

 

 

The interviewer will have your CV already but bringing a hard copy shows that you are prepared. Bring at least three copies for multiple interviewers, plus one for yourself. 

 

 

Having your travel planned out will ensure you arrive on time feeling confident. Remember to leave early for your interview plan your parking if you are driving and plan out your route door to door. Pro Tip: Create an inspirational/motivational playlist to listen to on your journey.

 

 

A few days after the interview send a follow-up message to your interviewer. This reminds the interviewer that you are still interested in the position and can be a nice way to keep you in the frame for the role.

 

 

Planning what to wear a few days beforehand will let you focus on the essential things. If you can, go for a combination of comfort and smartness.

 

 

I hope I've shown you that you're in control of most of the interview process. You have control over your Mindset, Research, Preparation, and all of the Practical Issues. That's quite a lot of control you have. It just remains for me to wish you the best of luck in your interview, although, as we know …

 

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity – Go for it!

 

If you are interested in finding out more about career coaching with me have a look at my website to see the many ways I can help you in your career.

 

If you are unsure about career coaching, let’s have an informal chat.

 

Bye for now!

 

Mark