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Posted on April 28, 2021 under Interview
Today we're going to discuss how to nail your final round job interview – every single time.
Did you know there are 3 different levels of job interviewing skills development and practice?
When you're first starting it's all about having a Beginner's Mind.
Then you start to create some early momentum.
You have a few more interviews. You're becoming more experienced and confident in your delivery. It's not the huge drama it might have been in the beginning.
Then you graduate to the the Lather, Rinse, Repeat stage.
You're consistently generating multiple attractive opportunities. These will culminate in 1-2 job offers, typically at the same time.
Each of these phases have their own distinct challenges. Their own learning curves.
If you're at this advanced stage AND experiencing the “close but no cigar” phenomenon, then listen up.
This last mile might feel like the toughest if you're consistently not getting selected for the role you want.
You've made it past the networking coffees, screening calls, first and second round interviews. Maybe even a round of golf or dinner with the team.
It's heart breaking to hear “we loved you but we've decided to go in another direction.”
Ask for it in the context of you becoming more successful in the next opportunity. It also shows professionalism.
If you believe they won't be frank with you, have someone else do it for you. A hired professional such as your career coach will do it.
Use the feedback framework of:
Does that sound kinda ballsy and uncomfortable?
Well, isn't it already painful enough to be struggling through the search without knowing what to do next… and when you'll get another paycheck again?
There are endless variations in which mindset could be holding you back. However, here are 3 very popular pitfalls.
This situation might feel like anger, overwhelm, exhaustion, burnout, and negative thinking.
The energy can be interpreted by the interviewer as aggressive, impatient, fake, inflexible, and unfriendly.
The fix is to connect with the interviewer on a 1:1 human basis. The interviewer is not just another “opportunity” or “lead.” They could be your next manager, with whom you spend the majority of your waking hours with. Make sure you're genuine.
This situation might feel like anxiety, depression, insecurity, paranoia, and making up stories that may or may not be true.
The energy can be interpreted by the interviewer as sad, uncertain, compromising or settling, not assertive enough, desperate, and of course, needy.
The fix is to evaluate and select them as carefully as they are checking you out. You must be proactive in communicating questions, concerns, strategies and tactics, and how you realistically see yourself on the team in a daily basis. Don't roll over and play dead.
This situation might feel like you're confused, undisciplined, entitled, lost, and generally back at square one.
The energy can be interpreted by the interviewer as sloppy, surprising, frenetic, robotic, and unprofessional.
The fix is to optimize your process and delivery. Look for the weakest link in your chain and start there. Adjust as many problems as required. If the wheels are coming off the bus, don't just sit there and watch it happen.
Every situation is unique. There's no one-size-fits-all solution.
However, it's encouraging to know that others have walked similar paths and overcome obstacles to secure their dream job.
What is your toughest problem in the advanced stages of interviewing? How do you keep moving ahead?
-Kelley
Kelley is a career development coach who is dedicated to helping people discover their career path and land their dream jobs. Kelley and her partner Josh live in New York City from which she has served hundreds of professionals across the U.S., U.K., and Australia since 2012 to radically change their relationship with work.
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