| Are you considering a midlife career change? If so, the | | | | that might be asked when you're changing to a new |
| following information on preparing for a job interview | | | | industry in midlife: |
| and the answer to some tough interview questions will | | | | Midlife Career Change Interview Question #1 - "Does |
| help you in the process. | | | | this job represent a career switch for you?" |
| As a rule, we do not get many job interviews in a | | | | Answer - "While I have never been in this industry, I will |
| lifetime, so it is not something that comes naturally for | | | | be using the same abilities and skills to solve problems, |
| us. It is important to prepare and practice for any | | | | meet deadlines and manage people that were needed |
| interview. Because we do not necessarily have | | | | in my previous positions. For example, (give examples |
| experience in the new industry, and if we are making a | | | | of your abilities which form a connecting link between |
| midlife career change, it will be important to discuss | | | | your skills in previous jobs and the one in which you |
| how our core business principles such as | | | | are being interviewed.)" |
| problem-solving, people management, and project | | | | Midlife Career Change Interview Question #2 - "After |
| completion, apply in every business. | | | | reviewing your qualifications, I find that you do not |
| Midlife career change job interviews or any job | | | | have...?" |
| interview require two ground rules. First, it is important | | | | Answer - "That is true, but I do have..." Give examples. |
| to deal with the objectives and needs of both you and | | | | Again, relating your skills to the position. Keep the |
| the interviewer and, second, it is important to retain | | | | interviewer's attention focused on the real issue - your |
| control over the job interview. The purpose of your | | | | ability to do the job. |
| first job interview is to get to the second job interview. | | | | Midlife Career Change Interview Question #3 - "You |
| A job offer will usually not be tendered in the first job | | | | do not have experience in this industry, so why do you |
| interview. This is your time to establish rapport with the | | | | want to work here?" |
| interviewer, find out what they want/need and | | | | Answer - You may not know yet - so say that but |
| express what you want/need. | | | | follow it with "but here is what I know about your |
| When preparing for a midlife career change job | | | | company... How accurate am I?" If you do know why |
| interview, keep the following in mind: | | | | you want to work for this company it will usually relate |
| *Always arrive on time - which means getting there | | | | to one of three areas - the company (reputation, |
| early. It gives you a chance to survey your | | | | high-profile, growth, offering of ground-floor |
| surroundings and get comfortable. | | | | opportunities), the position (variety, pace, technical |
| *Be prepared with knowledge on the industry - Do | | | | orientation, scope of authority) or the people |
| research on the industry overall and the company in | | | | (personality match). Always articulate what you can do |
| particular, especially if it is a new industry. Access | | | | for the company, not what the company can do for |
| trade magazines and industry journals. By "talking the | | | | you. |
| language" you reinforce that you have the ability to | | | | Midlife Career Change Interview Question #4 - How |
| pick up industry-specific knowledge quickly. | | | | will you deal with subordinates and peers who have |
| *Cover your main points - Know the main points you | | | | more experience in the industry than you? |
| want to get across to the interviewer and cover them | | | | Answer - "Just as I have dealt with subordinates and |
| early and as often as you can since you won't know | | | | peers in the past. Of course, I will learn from them |
| how long the job interview will last. | | | | when I can and take their suggestions if valid. But I will |
| *For a new industry, be prepared to field questions | | | | also demonstrate that my experience and knowledge |
| concerning your lack of experience in the industry - It is | | | | is transferable to this industry." |
| important that you understand and can convey your | | | | Midlife career change, while difficult, allows us to pursue |
| shift of industries and the expertise you bring to it. The | | | | our "dream" job. Or, we may just be trying to |
| interviewer will potentially have to field these questions | | | | downsize our work life, taking a position that does not |
| from others if you are to move forward in the | | | | require our current level of skill, so we have more time |
| interview process and you will too. So, give a reason | | | | for life. If we are prepared and confident in our abilities, |
| for the change and solid reasons why you are a good | | | | we will have a greater chance to connect to the |
| fit for the company. | | | | interviewer, move through the process and get the job |
| Here are some examples of tough interview questions | | | | offer. You can never be too prepared! |