Are you failing to get the results you want in your interviews?

Yesterday, I had a delightful conversation with a young woman that made me realise many graduates do not know how to apply themselves at interview. .

This got me thinking. How often do we (as entrepreneurs and small business owners) have knowledge from which our clients could benefit, but we don’t share it because we assume they already know? I’d certainly be guilty of that!

One danger of becoming experienced in life is that we forget what it’s like to be a beginner. Like riding a bike, skills become natural. So natural that we forget how easy it is to help others.

Based on the conversation I had, I realise I can help graduates to build clearer personal brands that align with their desires, to enable them to control the the trajectory of their lives and careers.

The young lady I refer to carries a degree from a highly regarded university. She is smart, attractive and polite, and has everything she needs to join a company, but she’s never been told to think of herself as a brand. She’s never been told to seek companies that suit her needs, values, and desires. Resultantly, she’s not doing well at interview.

Instead of evaluating what she wants out of life and aligning her values with the organisations she’s considering, she’s trying to fit her qualifications into a box; applying for work that fits a title but not her personality. Doing this can lead to frustration because the rationale for applying isn’t aligned with the person’s internal compass. We’re just applying for applying sake. Usually for money.

The trouble is, when we apply for jobs to pay the bills, we’re focusing on the wrong thing. We’re focusing on what we don’t want: poverty. Not what we do want, e.g., family time, wealth, and abundance. Initially, this concept feels alien, but when we realise that by being clear about what we want and feeling compelled and motivated to take massive action, we put a much better version of ourselves into the market and recruiters feel that in the interview.

When we start our career journey with ourselves at the centre, everything else falls into place. We look for companies (or entrepreneurial experiences) that resonate with our values. We take time to evaluate what we want out of life, and with whom, and most importantly, we figure out where we want to go. In this way, we have a life plan. A map that fits our dreams.

When we can assess if the emotions we feel are genuine emotions, or counterfeit emotions born out of fear, we can learn to trust our internal compass when things feel out of sorts. This is a powerful self-evaluation tool that everyone can benefit from, no matter where they are in their career.

Once we understand that following our passion creates the very best version of who you are, we naturally out pur best foot forward. We apply for jobs we want, with people we like, sharing a mutual vision for the future. This is a harmonious recipe for success.

If you’re a new graduate or someone looking for a new career, here are ten tips to help you on your way.

TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU FIND THE CAREER YOU WANT

1. Write your top ten values. In other words, what is most important to you? Example: Happiness, Financial Security, Adventure,etc.?
2. Next, think about your top four needs. Do you need security, adventure, variety, or autonomy? Do you need love, camaraderie, or significance? Do you need to contribute, grow, or have stability? Write whatever feels true to you—not what you think you ought to write.
3. What do you want your life to look like, day-to-day? Example: Do you want to be out and about, working with clients, or would you be happy in an office environment? Do you like making decisions or do you prefer to be part of a decision-making team?
4. If you could wave a magic wand and see yourself in ten years, where would you like to be? What does your home it look like? Who are you with? How much money are you earning? Etc.
5. If you knew you couldn’t fail, what job title resonates most with the person you want to become?
6. If you want to work within an organisation, be sure to check out their mission, vision and values. Look up the CSR projects they’re implementing and how they contribute to our planet? Does it sit well with your values?
7. Does this career move feel short or long term? Is it a stepping stone to learn new skills, or are you looking for a role that can develop and grow with you?
8. What are the top ten reasons someone should hire you? Don’t just think about qualifications. Think about your life experiences and transferable skills. Even at 25 you may have seen some of the world, explored different cultures, developed an expert eye for detail.
9. Interview your potential employers. When you go for an interview, be sure to have three or four pertinent questions to ask your interviewer. Remember, no matter what size the company, the interviewer will want to know that you have a brain of your own. That you care who you work for. That you can think for yourself. That you’re not just after a “job”. Be sure to craft these questions carefully to suit the role and company. NEVER use a generic line of enquiry. You are not a robot.
10. Do your due diligence. You should know everything there is to know about your potential employer. What they do, what matters to them and who they serve (their target audience). Once you have this information, you can draw out the skills you have, to fit the role.
11. Dress code: Knowing the dress code of an organisation can be helpful, but it is always a good idea to go to the interview in interview attire. And if you’re applying to any of the Forces, be sure to go all out to look shiny and presentable on every level.
12. Preparation is key! Dress well, hold your head up high and even if you’re dying inside, stand tall. Review your questions, the job application and any additional information you can find, well before the day of interview, because when you prepare well, it will shine through in everything you do. Speak with confidence (you have nothing to lose but to put your best foot forward), and your questions will demonstrate that care about the company AND want to know you align with the culture and their expectation. This will build confidence in the people interviewing you because it says you take pride in doing a good job and you want to fit in.

There are other ways to impact the outcome of an interview, but these steps will certainly put you on the right track. You will choose a career that fits well with your direction. Choose companies that resonate with your values and most likely last longer that your peers, because you chose well to start with.

If you need my help, please reach out. You can connect on LinkedIn or email my office: hello@dustiehouchin.com. Using the Subject “Career Help Required”. I’ll reply within 24 hours.

Talk again soon,

Dustie