Work to WIN!

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“Work to win!”

This simple phrase is the guiding principle for sports teams as they enter training camp. The season may still be weeks away, yet they “work to win!” The hours turn to days, weeks, then months all before the first play of the season. As the first game day arrives, months of preparation are then put to the test. 

It takes a significant amount of time and effort to secure a job interview. If the candidate hasn’t begun to prepare for the job interview prior to securing the interview, they are late to the game. Below are 5 “pre-season plays” to prepare you to positively step into the interview.

  • Determine your path

    This first crucial step involves a deep dive into where you’ve been and where you wish to go. The roadmap starts with being able to assess your talents, skills, abilities, professional lessons and understanding how to properly articulate them to an interviewer.  Can you articulate how your talent will adapt and merge with the company’s current goals? It is helpful to write down your skills, analyzing the flexibility within each one, recognizing how it can be fluidly mobilized into a new environment.

  • Get it in writing -- Resume, LinkedIn

    Hire a resume writer. I strongly advise you to engage with someone who understands your needs with the skills to make you shine in a properly written and formatted resume’.  A great resume writer will take an accounting of your talents creating a written portrait of your professional life. They can assist in building your brand as well as your LinkedIn presence in a manner that makes you stand out online. LinkedIn is very valuable and how your profile is written is an important first impression.

  • How to tell your stories 

    Your professional stories are the “plays” in your interview game book. I am often asked, “Can you send me a list of STAR interview questions?” It’s easy for anyone to Google these questions. The problem with this lazy technique is what professional work story you choose to tell in response to these Googled questions? Use this storyboard exercise to help you identify 3 critical elements of how to answer any interview question:

    • 1.  The story must be interesting

    • 2.  The story must be engaging

    • 3.  The story must be persuasive 

  • Write down your stories

    Writing them down helps you to properly construct the story using the 3 points above.  Putting them in print also assists with remembering them, ensuring the stories will be readily available in your memory during the interview. 

  • Practice your answers!

    Practice your answers aloud.  Listen to your answers and self assess your responses.  Ask a friend or family member to ask you interview questions.   Obtain real, authentic feedback from a trusted friend, mentor or coach. Make a video with your phone or other device.  Analyze your body language, voice inflection, how you recited the story as well as the robustness of the answer you provided. Did you include the 3 critical elements mentioned above in your interview answer? Did you include all elements of the STAR method or other behavioral methods of interviewing? It is awkward to view yourself on video but executing this exercise will only improve your answers!  Practicing increases your comfort, confidence and empowers you providing a bit of control in an uncontrollable situation. This can only elevate your responses as you begin the job interview.

  • Identify companies and positions you are interested in pursuing

    Network, network, network!  Networking enables a referral introduction into companies by someone in your networking circle. Your information can be delivered directly to a decision maker bypassing the automated systems companies utilize for online applicants.  Step out of your comfort zone with bold networking.  Identify team leaders in companies or industries you are interested in then connect with them via LinkedIn. When you connect, take it to another level by sending them a short message describing your situation and asking for an introduction to a decision maker. It’s a mistake to rely solely on online applications. This method will make your job search an agonizingly long process.  Seek out the decision makers!!

Just like a professional athlete, your pre-game playbook and routine is vital to your game performance. “Work to win” for an athlete involves training, playbook memorization, specialized diet, working through the pain and the sheer willpower to push forward. Proper preparation for the job interview also takes time. Strategic planning with your interview coach is the best method of attack. “Work to win” prior to getting that first interview. 

As a job interview coach with over 30 years of experience, I offer a free 30 minute coaching consultation. I’d be happy to serve you! Email me to secure your session today: tom@interviewcoachingsolutions.com

Thomas brown