The One Question You Need To Answer – Before The Job Interview
It’s very easy to get yourself tied up in knots before a job interview isn’t it? We can spend hours trying to second-guess what we’re going to be asked and then prepare – or over-prepare – for the question we ‘know’ we’re going to be asked.
Instead, I often ask my clients one question in the lead up to an interview, and help them explore the answer to it. What falls out of those conversations is often enough to allow them to show up in the interview room differently – and often enough to help them influence the outcome positively.
And for the times when the outcome wasn’t what they hoped, the question and the resulting insights are also helpful in changing the inevitable post-mortem process, making it easier to bounce back from disappointment.
The question I ask them?
“What is it that you really want them to understand about you, that’s not written down on those pieces of paper in front of them?”
This one question encourages a lot of soul-searching and thought.
It encourages, amongst other things, a deeper dive into:
• personal values
• strengths and weaknesses
• passions
• the core of your being
• how you’re currently showing up and whether this is allowing your personality to shine through
• your body language
• stories you have to tell
• your bigger ‘why’ and the difference you want to make
• your own career plans and where they may lead you
• what can be learned from this, regardless of the outcome
Taking some time to explore the areas here, and more, can be illuminating and allows you to tap into the part of you that’s beyond the conscious self that we take into interviews with us. It helps us to relax, feel strong and affirms who we are at a deeper level, so we show up differently.
We’re grounded and resourceful and as a result, more likely to let others see us as we’d really like to be seen. Understanding the answers to that question can help you to calm your nerves so they’re less likely to hijack you before you enter the room.
What do you think? Why not try answering the question yourself and see what you come up, regardless of whether you have a job interview. The question works just as well in other situations.
If you’re looking to step up your career and you want to lead – or lead more powerfully – then I have a 30 page guide, with lots more ideas in like this one, that can help you to become more relaxed, confident and happy in your role, so that you excel in it – and enjoy it too.
You can download 5 Steps To Developing Your Leadership Presence, here.
I’m Susan Ritchie and I help new and aspiring female leaders to develop their leadership presence so they become confident, happy and relaxed leaders, who excel at their role – and enjoy it too! You can email me at hello@susanritchie.co.uk to find out more about working with me.
Susan Ritchie
Susan Ritchie is a leadership coach who specialises in working with new and aspiring female leaders, helping them develop their leadership presence, so they can lead with confidence, create the right impact and excel in their role. She’s the author of Strategies for Being Brilliant: 21 Ways to be Happy, Confident and Successful.
She can be found at www.susanritchie.co.uk where you can download 5 Steps To Developing Your Leadership Presence – and why not come and say hello on twitter @susanjritchie.
It’s very easy to get yourself tied up in knots before a job interview isn’t it? We can spend hours trying to second-guess what we’re going to be asked and then prepare – or over-prepare – for the question we ‘know’ we’re going to be asked.
Instead, I often ask my clients one question in the lead up to an interview, and help them explore the answer to it. What falls out of those conversations is often enough to allow them to show up in the interview room differently – and often enough to help them influence the outcome positively.
And for the times when the outcome wasn’t what they hoped, the question and the resulting insights are also helpful in changing the inevitable post-mortem process, making it easier to bounce back from disappointment.
The question I ask them?
“What is it that you really want them to understand about you, that’s not written down on those pieces of paper in front of them?”
This one question encourages a lot of soul-searching and thought.
It encourages, amongst other things, a deeper dive into:
• personal values
• strengths and weaknesses
• passions
• the core of your being
• how you’re currently showing up and whether this is allowing your personality to shine through
• your body language
• stories you have to tell
• your bigger ‘why’ and the difference you want to make
• your own career plans and where they may lead you
• what can be learned from this, regardless of the outcome
Taking some time to explore the areas here, and more, can be illuminating and allows you to tap into the part of you that’s beyond the conscious self that we take into interviews with us. It helps us to relax, feel strong and affirms who we are at a deeper level, so we show up differently.
We’re grounded and resourceful and as a result, more likely to let others see us as we’d really like to be seen. Understanding the answers to that question can help you to calm your nerves so they’re less likely to hijack you before you enter the room.
What do you think? Why not try answering the question yourself and see what you come up, regardless of whether you have a job interview. The question works just as well in other situations.
If you’re looking to step up your career and you want to lead – or lead more powerfully – then I have a 30 page guide, with lots more ideas in like this one, that can help you to become more relaxed, confident and happy in your role, so that you excel in it – and enjoy it too.
You can download 5 Steps To Developing Your Leadership Presence, here.
I’m Susan Ritchie and I help new and aspiring female leaders to develop their leadership presence so they become confident, happy and relaxed leaders, who excel at their role – and enjoy it too! You can email me at hello@susanritchie.co.uk to find out more about working with me.
Susan Ritchie
Susan Ritchie is a leadership coach who specialises in working with new and aspiring female leaders, helping them develop their leadership presence, so they can lead with confidence, create the right impact and excel in their role. She’s the author of Strategies for Being Brilliant: 21 Ways to be Happy, Confident and Successful.
She can be found at www.susanritchie.co.uk where you can download 5 Steps To Developing Your Leadership Presence – and why not come and say hello on twitter @susanjritchie.
