Although the Occupy Wall Street movement probably won’t change the status quo, it is bringing awareness and spurring lively discussions. Just like after graduation from college, the protestors will eventually need to find a job. When you get your job interview, how will you respond?
I normally make the best of my situation so it is a little surprising that I would even look at an unsolicited job opportunity. I was pretty happy with my job, have great co-workers, and interesting projects, most of the time. I’ve never been about the money, but since I could be looking at a decent pay raise, I owed it to myself to investigate.
Out With The Old
My pre-interview routine was quite simple. Lose my mind with anxiety attacks, scour interview advice, review my resume endlessly, absorb guidance from friends, cram last minute so hopefully I can whip the item out in case of an emergency. I would be a nervous wreck and perform at my lowest level possible. I got lucky sometimes and got the position, but sometimes it went the other way. This time I went the extreme opposite. I was going to the interview as Robert California.
In With The New
I’m being overdramatic, but there was an interview where I was under qualified, but calm, cool, and myself. The hiring manager decided to give me a chance, but I already moved on to another opportunity. This time with a good job in hand, I had nothing to lose. I went in with extra confidence in my skills, experience, and qualifications. I went in comfortable with the fact that if things didn’t go my way in the interview, we were both better off. We might not be a good fit. Better to know right away and move to Plan B than start something, have it completely blow up in everyone’s faces, and deal with the messy aftermath. If the interview clicks, everyone feels it.
Final Thoughts
I did slip a little on salary talks, but for the most part, I ran the interview exactly how I wanted. I remembered to smile, control overusing my hands when expressing myself, and I let my personality shine. I didn’t assess all my interviewers, creep anyone out, and come off as a genius like Robert California. But I do believe I got the same result. I nailed my interview. If you channel your inner Buck Inspire, I’m sure you will, too.
Stay Inspired!
Buck
One of the best ways to build confidence before a job interview is to make sure that you have done your research. The more that you know about the company that you are interviewing with and the position that you are applying, the more comfortable that you will be.
You can also do a mock interview with a friend or family member to help you to get an idea of what types of questions might be asked of you.
Pamie recently posted..Trading: Introductory Concepts
Excellent tips. Do you work in HR? Thanks Pamie!
DS: “What are you doing?”
DS: “Stop trying to figure me out.”
RC: “I just did”
Any experiences like that in the lobby after interviews?
My interview strategy was always that if I made it through the phone screen I was wanted by the company – have it be “mine to lose” was a good confidence boost, for me anyway.
PKamp3 recently posted..“I M BrkN ^ w/ U” – Ever Broken Up With Someone by Text, Email or Facebook Message?
Haha, nice! Unfortunately not. But I was doing my best to read my interviewers and speak to things that interested them. Nice strategy to give yourself that extra confidence boost!
Glad to hear the interview went so well. That is awesome. I am wishing you luck with getting the job. I think that your calmness and smile and collective nature really helped. No one wants to hire a person who is bouncing all over the place.
Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter recently posted..Plan to Retire Happy
True about the guy bouncing off the walls. Thank you for your positive thoughts and encouragement. Update coming soon!
Wow, cool, calm, and confident. I’d hire you in a heartbeat.
Hope you get a very nice raise out of this. I’m not very good with interview, but with any luck, I won’t ever have to do it again.
retirebyforty recently posted..3 Lessons From The Occupy Portland Camp Clearing
Haha, I would hire you in a heartbeat, too! Thanks and will keep you posted. Here’s to you not having to go to a job interview again!
Interviews are opportunities to connect! Hiring managers hire people they like. Then the hard part, do you want the job?
krantcents recently posted..Am I an Entrepreneur?
You hit it on the head KC. If I were hiring, I would do the same. Perhaps this is another method to prepare. Imagine if you were the hiring manager, would you hire you? You would more likely hire the confident you rather than the nervous, unsure you. Do I want the job? That answer and more coming soon!
Having a good job in hand is always a great way to make you calm during the interview. My main interview tip is to know your resume through and through and be possessive. When I interview people I look for the following statements we, us, our group and then I ask them.. What did you do?
So when I interview I am sure to never say we, us, they, our group. I focus on my accomplishments only. My last tip is to always have at least 10 questions prepared to ask. You’re interviewing them just like they are interviewing you.
YFS recently posted..How To Buy A Foreclosure
Focus on your accomplishments over the group? Nice catch. I’ve dealt with some slimy applicants. They look good on paper, but don’t really have the goods to back it up. Thanks for the great tips!
Great pep talk. By golly I think you’ve got a point there.
Lee
Best selling author Lani Diane Rich visits
Tossing It Out
Wednesday November 16th.
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Thanks Lee. I love giving and receiving pep talks!
I know that feeling where it all comes together. Sweet. A change of environment and a few extra bucks are always very inspiring! Out-pun that little sequence.
Hunter – Financially Consumed recently posted..Just Write It Down And Take Control Of Your Money
You feel like you’re in the zone. Will definitely keep you posted! Thanks for the pun. During the interview, I almost felt like a “Hunter” stalking his prey!
Great story and advice Buck. Going in with confidence and being yourself is the way to go
World of Finance recently posted..Fabulous Personal Finance Articles from Around the Globe, Edition #11
Thanks Mary! Confident and being yourself works well with blogs too!
Congrats on the interview and good luck in the new job (of course you will get it!).
Marie at FamilyMoneyValues recently posted..The Million Dollar House
Thanks Marie. Appreciate your confidence in me and will keep you posted!
Best to you as you continue to pursue this opportunity. Did you interview them as well and figure out whether they are worthy of the great Buck Inspire?!
Doctor Stock recently posted..Stock Market – It’s a Small World After All
Terrific point Doctor Stock! The interview goes both ways and I did turn the tables. Stay tuned!
I used to be a nervous wreck in interviews. I had desperation written all over my face and I’d bomb.
It’s a totally different situation when you’re applying from a stronger position (i.e. you have a job and a new role is nice to have rather than vital).
Congratulations on nailing your interview!
Harri @ TotallyMoney recently posted..Penny’s pick of the sales
Thanks for sharing. I know exactly how you feel. Applying from a stronger position helps big time. Thanks again!