5 Strategies for a Smashing Job Interview

We have all heard the common interview tips.  Youpreparing for a great interview. It should be a given, but
can recite them by heart as you read this nextyou’d be surprised by how many Christians
sentence.  Okay, here we go.  Be on time, dresswho either don’t pray or pray the wrong
professionally, and _____________fill in the blankprayers prior to an interview. So it’s worth
with the last one...you know it.  This is not another runputting it out here. You must pray before every
—of-the-mill article on interviewing tips.  Theseinterview you attend. Praying will give you the proper
are hands-on top secrets you want to be in on inperspective about yourself, the employer, and the
order to ace a job interview.position. Ask God to reveal the things you can’t
We have all heard the common interview tips. Yousee with your natural eyes as you are in the interview.
can recite them by heart as you read this nextThis will place you in a proactive posture versus
sentence. Okay, here we go. Be on time, dressrunning like prey from the job hunter.
professionally, and _____________ fill in the blank4) Sell Well
with the last one...you know it. This is not another runWhat came up for you when you saw the word sell? I
—of-the-mill article on interviewing tips. Thesehate selling or salesmen, I can’t sell, or why sell?
are hands-on top secrets you want to be in on inI challenge you to shift out of this mindset into a more
order to ace a job interview.positive one, especially for interviewing. What am I
1) Be Note-ableselling in an interview? Yourself…you are the product.
Today’s job market is extremely competitive. ItI challenge you to be prepared to sell yourself well. In
isn’t rare for 20 or more people to apply fororder to do this, come ready to give specific examples
one position. Here’s a strategy to make themof how you have used your skills, gifts, and talents to
stand up and take note of you. When you sit down topositively impact your present and previous employers.
begin the interview, pull out a piece of paper and pen.Power tip: Here is a mirror for you to look in: Know
Then ask the interviewer if they would mind if youyour accomplishments, strengths, and previous work
take notes, and do exactly that. Record things youhistory so well you can freely recall them without
want to remember about management stylepeeking at your resume.
philosophy, corporate culture, anything personal the5) Find a Supporter
interviewer shared with you, or something that jumpedConnect with someone who is willing to allow you to
out from amongst the small talk. This becomes rawpractice how you will answer common and not so
data you can use in your "thank you for an interviewcommon interview questions, how you pose the
letter" [I hope you are sending them out]. Implement thisquestions you have developed, and your overall
strategy as a way to become a top notablepresentation skills. Clue your supporter to be on the
candidate.lookout for the following: your posture, body language,
2) Prepare Your Own Questionseye contact, attitude, and the length of your answers.
We know the interviewer has a “script” that6) What’s Your Like-ability Factor?
contains asking you questions about present and pastDid you know that employers hire based on skill and
projects on the job, your strengths, weakness, andfire based on personality? So if your aim is for job
overall capacity. How about your script…do you havesecurity, start being personable at the interview.
one? I strongly suggest you type up some questions inStudies also show job interviewers are apt to hire a
a Word document and leave plenty of space incandidate based on whether or not they are like them
between the questions to jot down your answers.and how their personality matches the company
Here are a few dig-deep questions you may want toculture. So start fostering that connection with the
ask: - What do you see as the company’sinterviewer as soon as you meet them. This is one of
strengths and weaknesses?- How would you describethose top secrets to be in on in order to maximize
the general management philosophy?- What are someyour hiring potential.
of the most challenging situations one would face inClosing Thoughts…Job interviews are about more
this position?than reciting all of the right answers you know the
The clients I work with come to an interview with nointerviewer wants to hear. They are about your
less than 15 and no more than 20 questions they havestrategic knowledge or lack thereof. We pray this
about anything and everything from information aboutarticle has given boosted your confidence and armed
the company to the performance review process. Thisyou with the wisdom you need to get the next job you
gives you a good picture about the role and theinterview for. We hope for nothing but great
company so you can decide if you want to be thereopportunities and no barriers in all of your interviews!
40+ hours a week. So remember, you are interviewingKaren M. Pina
them just as they are interviewing you.GOD’s Coach
3) Pray or PreyCopyright 2007 Gifts Ordained By Direction/Karen M.
This is probably one of the most important steps in