Job interviews are hardly anyone's favourite pastime. In
fact many career changers find the interview process
boring, nerve wrecking and challenging to say the least.
However, with the right attitude job interviews can be a
creative and rewarding experience. The following powerful
pointers can help you excel at traditional job interviews
and make the career changes you desire.
1. Know who you are - It is all too easy to lose one's
individuality in the cut throat corporate world. Before
embarking on a job interview, take the time to find out who
you really are. Self discovery can be achieved through
mental reflection, constructive feedback and specialist
guidance. Your identity does not consist of material
acquisitions and social status, rather your essence,
beliefs and values. Enhance your self awareness and your
confidence will shine through at job interviews.
2. Know where you're from - To get to where you want to be,
you must first evaluate where you are coming from. Whilst
preparing for your job interview, it is important to
reflect on your career history and general life experience.
For instance, if you are unhappy at your current job, map
out two separate sections on blank paper. In the first
section, list the specific things you're unhappy about and
in the second section list what you're happy about (if
any). When you have finished, evaluate the results. Are
there more negatives than positives or vice versa? When
you come across appealing job vacancies, you should
likewise list the positives and negatives of each job role
and make dispassionate comparisons. This will ensure that
you make progressive career changes rather than go from bad
to worse.
3. Know where you are going - Few people set long and short
term goals and fewer people know what their life's purpose
really is. However, the world respects people who know
where they are going in life. Get the edge over other
interviewees by defining what career success means to you
and outlining the specific steps you can take to achieve
your career goals. It's also a good idea to ask yourself
how each new job fits in with your life goals. With better
clarity and focus you will progress steadily career wise.
4. Find the right job - Not all jobs warrant the hassle of
interview preparation, so before squandering precious
hours, first find job vacancies worth applying for. The
ideal job is of course one that will utilise your greatest
talents and give you the kind of fulfilment money cannot
buy. However, you will also need to consider factors such
as pay, commute time, scope for career progression,
organisational values, company stability and so on. Rather
than applying for work in a random fashion, take time to
define your career wants and look out for jobs that meet
those requirements in order of priority. When you focus
your efforts on suitable job roles, your chances of
interview success and career happiness will be
significantly improved.
5. Find your talents - Job interviews are a two way
process; they're not just about what you can gain from the
employer but about what you can offer the latter too.
Thankfully job ads are filled with clues as to the specific
talents and behaviours employers find desirable. It's a
great idea to read the ad at least five times, then to map
out three separate columns on blank paper. In the first
column, write down all the skills and talents required to
perform your ideal job successfully (e.g. computer,
supervisory and organisational talents), in the second
column write down the typical behaviours required of you
(e.g. career minded, self starter and team player) and in
the third column list the ethos and values of the
organisation (e.g. creative, puts the customer first etc.).
Next, ask yourself which of the desired attributes you
possess and tick those off the list. If in doubt ask family
and friends what your greatest talents are and how those
talents match the job description. It is wise to take the
time to discover and develop hidden talents and assets
because they can significantly increase your perceived
organisational value.
Well prepared candidates usually succeed at job interviews.
Keep the above pointers in mind and you too can outshine
your competitors, secure your dream job and enjoy lasting
career happiness.
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Ogo Ogbata is the founder of leading lifestyle and career
design website CreativityandSense.Com. She helps
individuals find financially rewarding work that allows
time and energy for what matters most in life. Visit
http://www.creativityandsense.com for tips and strategies
guaranteed to help you create more purposeful career
changes.
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