Before The Interview - Plan to Succeed - Part 1

Many of you reading this will at some time of your life been involved in planning projects or activities. Whether it was a birthday party or a major work project, the reason behind your actions remains the same. Effective planning increases your chances of gaining a good result.

This is also the case when preparing to win a job interview. Notice that I said “win” not just attend or having an interview. The reason for this is because many of us sow the seeds of defeat before we even attend an interview. “Giving it a go” or “this is good practice” is not the mindset to have when you can literally be competing against dozens of other candidates being interviewed.

Preparing for job success starts before you write the first word or make the first call. Interviews are a battle for survival with only the final victor gaining all the spoils. Below are some preliminary tips to prepare for battle.

1. Stay Focused

Regardless of the reason, treat this process of winning a new job as your number one project. Never let other distractions keep you from preparing properly (because life throws plenty of distractions at us).

2. Stay Positive

Expect to win. Your mind can be your greatest friend or your most bitter enemy. Fill it with negative thoughts and feelings, add some negative influence from others and you have a perfect recipe for predicting a dismal outcome. This is your time to take control of your life and future, don’t waste it! Look for the good in your life, read inspirational stories and surround yourself with friends and family who uplift your spirits. Take positive steps toward your goal and draw from these choices and your experiences when preparing to win the career opportunities you deserve. The employer will me more likely to hire someone with a positive outlook than one who doesn’t.

3 Showcase Your Abilities

Australians by nature avoid boasting or promoting their achievements. This is partially why many find themselves tongue tied and suffering “mental blanks” during interview situations. If you fall into this category you need to stop this self-defeating attitude, now!  Over your working life time you have developed a wealth of knowledge, experience and qualifications. Now is the time to be prepared to demonstrate your value and expertise to your future employer. “If you don’t value yourself how can you expect anyone else to?” Grab the interviewer’s attention with specific examples which demonstrate your ability and value. If you’re not sure about how to do this, don’t worry we will cover this in future articles, or alternatively you can call Trans-Civ now on 1300 366 104 to multiply your chances for success.

Next issue: “Let the battle begin - Paving the way to job interview success