Six Essential Confidence Boosters to Nail that Interview
Michel Thibodeau 2021
So much about giving a great interview hinges on the level of confidence you bring. You come into the room energized and focused, your skill stories flow easily, and you click well with the interviewer. All is right with the world.
Over the course of my 16 years guiding young adults and established executives to discover, develop, and change their careers, I’ve found the following six confidence-building activities really make the difference between getting hired and not. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Remind yourself of your greatness. You’ve achieved so much in your life and career, but sometimes it’s easy to forget the specifics. Take some time to write about times when you felt really proud of yourself. It can be in any realm, but professional is always better. Write about these experiences in detail so you can relive them, recalling all the key details and senses you used. Then reread it in advance of your interview, as close to the meeting as you can, and bask in the pleasure of knowing what you’re capable of.
2. Send a note to your 5 biggest fans. Your friends and those who love you know how amazing you are. So why not ask them to get a bit more specific? Ask your fans to tell you about the skills, talents and traits they think of when they think of you. What would they say is your secret sauce? Offer to do the same for them. You are likely to see plenty of consistency, but some of your more perceptive fans may provide you with some new language and thinking about what you’re exceptional at. It’s great fodder for that interview!
3. Prep until you can’t prep any more. I want to really emphasize how important this is. Most people do the most cursory research, maybe visiting the organization’s website if anything. There is a ton more you can do to set yourself apart. Really scour the website, read press releases, blog posts, and white papers. Make sure to visit the LinkedIn profiles of anyone you’ll meet with to seek common ground and discussion topics. Find the organization’s reviews on Glassdoor, listen to interviews with key executives or anyone who is a brand ambassador. If it’s a non-profit, read their financial statements. If it’s public you can listen to their earnings calls. Make a list of questions that can’t be answered through research alone. There is no better way to boost your confidence than to over-prepare.
4. Read and re-read the position profile. Yes, I know it sounds simplistic. But it’s one of the things candidates neglect to do. You’re reading so many role descriptions all the time, they tend to run together in your mind. Pay close attention to the language the employer uses, along with the specific requirements for the job. Try to hew as closely as possible to the language they use to describe the role during your meeting. Do you have 70% of what they’re looking for? Great – focus your answers on what you have, not what you don’t.
5. Tap a mock interview partner. Simulation makes perfect. Find a friend or colleague you trust who’s willing to fire questions at you and critique your answers. If you’d like my list of popular and not so popular interview questions, email me here.
6. Get pumped with exercise. There’s nothing like a run or other kind of sweaty workout to make you feel great and chase insecurities away. If you run or bike, consider choosing a playlist with beats per minute that track your pace. Consider getting that hard workout in within a couple of hours of your interview. You’ll feel energized and upbeat, which will positively impact your performance. Here’s an app to help:
https://www.iphoneness.com/iphone-apps/music-pace-running-app/
And that’s it. If you follow these steps and still don’t feel confident, then it’s not the right job for you.
As always, keep me posted on your progress and let me know if I can help.
Other Reading, Listening & Watching from Allison Cheston
Finding Brave Podcast with Kathy Caprino
What College Grads Need To Do Now To Land Great Jobs Post-Pandemic
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More on Negotiation:
The Truth About Salary Negotiation for Black Women
What to Know About Salary Negotiation Before Accepting a New Job