As a person who has consulted with a number of individuals applying for new employment or occupations, I've been asked if I should suggest a "silver bullet" approach - a job interview tactic that will just about ensure my client the job. I also have helped many people learn how to survive a work interview without throwing up (yes, some people get really anxious about the job interview!).
The response, of course is, "No, there is no magic bullet." But you still knew that! Let's face it, we both believe that there will be something - somehow - that, if only we knew what it is, can help us get the job so we can quit stressing and get back to work.
Having said that, there are some items that you should do to better the chances of having the work offer. Let's start by analyzing what MOST people do while they are honing their career interview technique skills.
Some people find that if they only practice addressing the difficult interview questions that they think they'll be posed, that would be enough to know how to survive a work interview. They make sure that they have a new set of clothes for the interview. They make sure that they know just how long it would take to drive to the workplace for the interview, and they leave time for traffic or any unexpected situations.
They make sure they clean their teeth before the interview, and they carry versions of their applications, references, and portfolio if they have one. They make sure that they write a thank you letter and pop it into the mail right after the interview.
Ahem... At least I HOPE that's what everybody is doing!
But that's not what the most willing and most trained career applicant does. And, in practice, neither of those above stuff can show you how to endure a work interview. Yet, there is one that can. Anything that would really make you sound pretty enthusiastic for the work interview! Here it is. Ready? (Drum roll, please)
The greatest work interview tactic is to carry something to the interview - something to offer to the interviewer. I'm not talking about bringing a present or roses. I'm not talking of bringing a bribe.
I'm not talking about bringing pictures of your kids that would certainly die if you don't get this work.
I'm talking about taking something important to the work you are heading for. Bring an essay you read in the magazine regarding the firm (be sure it's a favorable article!). If you are heading for a public relations job, carry an article you've published about the business that they could use. Bring an overview of how you plan to specifically address the organization's needs - needs that you already uncovered as you studied the company before you even applied!
Does this sound too simple? Ok, it does take time and commitment on your side to bring in the effort that you are planning to show on the job to begin with, does it not? So, why not prove your new boss right from the get go that you've got everything they need! Don't just dream about it, demonstrate them!
Think about it - if you want to know how to pass a work interview, because you need an excellent job interview strategy, would it not make sense to train for something that THEY are not planning to see? How strong! And think of the confidence you would have as you reach the venue.
And, you actually won't throw up at that!
