Prepare....to be yourself

At the end of last week, I was helping a candidate prepare for interview.  The candidate had done everything I would expect, read and re-read the spec, deep research into the company, and a few things beyond, market research, review of competitors and even some linked in research on the company executives.

At this point it would have been easy to sit back and think, this candidate is a winner, she is as prepared as is possible for this interview.  Then I remembered the most important thing in recruitment, ask the obvious questions.

"How about yourself?"  I said, "what preparation have you done to talk about yourself?"  This is where we hit the crux of the issue that faces so many candidates, even the great ones.

Time spent researching the role the company and the potential of a career with them is invaluable and vital, but don't forget, you'll maybe face 3 or 4 questions about the company and role, and spend 15 - 20 minutes talking about the business you are meeting.  What will the rest of the time be spent focusing on?   You guessed it...you.

I am no chess player, but know there is a saying in chess that goes "You can't do all your thinking in the game"  and that goes for interviews.  Although you know yourself intimately, why take a chances that your memory will let you down?, or that nerves will stop you articulating yourself properly?

I urge any candidates that are preparing for an interview to spend as much time as they can, talking out loud about themselves, get used to the sound of your own voice, and the words that best fit when describing yourself.

Showing off is uncomfortable for most people, and in a one-on-one interview situation it is very easy to become self conscious.  So prepare - know what you are going to say in certain situations.  If you don't use any of these phrases or word tracks, nothing lost, but if you need a 'personal sound byte' and it is there when you need it, you'll never be more grateful.  The mind is a powerful thing, and the more times you say phrases and sentences the better your sub-conscious will get at the delivery.

Under prepared candidates get tongue tied and stumble, tongue tied candidates look nervous, nervous candidates look like they lack confidence and communication skills.  These are vital in nearly all roles.

We all get nervous, because we care, but if we care enough to be nervous, we should care enough to to time to prepare and sure that we are confident, articulate and thorough when talking about ourselves.

Take time, talk to yourself about yourself, and see what it brings, you won't be disappointed.