Interview Coaching really helps you prepare for the interview and significantly enhances your opportunity to be the successful candidate. You will walk into a job interview with confidence in yourself, have ready to-go answers to any question that comes your way and the ability to showcase your skills and expertise.

Here are the 7 key reasons that Interview Coaching is the secret to securing your next job offer.

1. Improved Confidence

• Preparation and Practice:
  Interview coaching involves preparation and practice such as mock interviews and practicing responses to common interview questions. It helps you become more familiar with the interview process, reduces anxiety and boosts your confidence.
• Feedback and Support:
  You will receive constructive feedback and support from an interview coach who sees and hears your responses objectively. An interview coach will help you identify areas for improvement and support you with developing tailored responses.

2. Enhanced Communication Skills

• Articulated Responses:
  An interview coach will support you to articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely, making your responses more compelling.
• Non-Verbal Communication:
  In addition to your verbal responses, you will receive tips on body language, eye contact, and other non-verbal cues that can make a strong positive impression at your next job interview.

3. Tailored Strategies

• Personalised Advice:
  Interview coaching is tailored to your unique strengths, weaknesses and your specific career goals. As part of my service, I provide personalised strategies that generic advice often misses.
• Specific Roles and Industries:
  An experienced Career Coach will also offer insights and tips relevant to specific roles you are interested in or industries with their knowledge and expertise.

4. Mastering Behavioural Questions

• STAR Technique:
  As part of my interview coaching service, I support candidates with a structured approach known as the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to effectively answer behavioural questions. This is by far one of the greatest techniques to answer almost any question that comes your way.
• Real-life Examples:
  Interview coaching helps you prepare real-life examples that highlight your skills and achievements relevant to the job you have applied for.

 5. Understanding the Employer’s Perspective

• Research and Insights:
  You will be guided on how to research potential employers, understand their values and culture, and tailor responses to align with what the employer is looking for.
• Interview Etiquette:
  Learning about proper interview etiquette, including dress code, punctuality and follow-up procedures, enhances your professionalism to create a lasting impression.

 6. Addressing Weaknesses

• Identifying Gaps:
  We all have weaknesses and opportunities to learn every day. I support candidates to identify, address and overcome any potential weaknesses for your job interview.
• Overcoming Challenges:
  An interview coach will also provide strategies to handle difficult questions or situations, such as gaps in employment or lack of specific experience. When these strategies are in place you will feel more comfortable responding and overcome any barriers.

 7. Increased Success Rate:

• Higher Job Offers:
  When candidates participate in interview coaching they often have higher success rates in securing job offers more efficiently. The whole job search process can be time consuming and lengthy if you are not prepared with all the right tools and strategies. This also supports negotiating remuneration and the confidence to do so.
• Career Advancement:
  Effective interview coaching can help not only in securing the job but also supports you to negotiate better terms and conditions, as well as remuneration with confidence.

There’s an increasing trend in recent years where job seekers are being asked to submit videos when applying for jobs as part of the screening process. If this is something that you have been requested to do, you may like to read my article, How to Prepare Your Video for the Job Interview Process which outlines what you need to do to prepare for and record a video to make an impactful first impression.

Overall, interview coaching equips job seekers with the tools and techniques needed to present yourself more effectively, making you more competitive and successful in the job market.

You may also like to follow me on Instagram for insightful and practical interviewing and career tips. If you are frustrated by your job search journey, I encourage you to book a complimentary 15 minute Career Chat with me to support your next career move.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Interview Coaching: The Secret to Securing Your Next Job appeared first on Letz Create.

If you are in active job search, an essential part of your job seeking skill set now includes learning how to make an impactful first impression through applying with a short video instead of, or as well as, the traditional CV and cover letter.

“New generations of job seekers are ditching traditional resumes in place of online videos, and an increasing number of employers are welcoming the shift”, reported Peter Hitchener and Justine Conway in a recent Channel 9 news report.

In my experience as a Job Search Coach, more and more of my clients are being asked to prepare videos. For example, when they apply for roles they receive an email at the start of or during the job application process, requiring them to click through and record themselves in order to be considered for a role and proceed to the next step.

Please don’t feel scared by this prospect. If done well, the video application is a great opportunity to showcase your strengths, passions and personality to potential employers. It’s being used by more and more employers who are looking for skilled job seekers.

To use this job seeking tool to your advantage, you need to be very well prepared. Here are my tips for helping you make a great impression when the application process includes recording a video.

Understand the Requirements of the Video Application

In some instances you will be required to answer a series of questions within a specific time period. This is your starting point. Make sure you know what is expected of you. Take the time to consider your answers to these questions. Practice saying them out aloud.

This SEEK article suggests there are four distinct categories of questions you are likely to be asked in a video interview, including:

1. An introductory question e.g. “Tell us a little bit about you?”
2. A motivation question e.g. “Why do you want to work for …?”
3. A technical question about your skills e.g. “Tell us about a time you have helped a customer?”
4. A personality question e.g. “What would you do if you didn’t have to work for a month?”

Consider Your Answers then Practice, Practice, Practice

As you consider your answers to these questions and prepare, think of what could be some of the key messages you would like to convey in the video. Think of some examples you can provide under a S.T.A.R. approach; this is an interview technique that gives you a straightforward format you can use to tell a story by laying out the Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

• Situation: Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.
• Task: Describe what your responsibility was in that situation.
• Action: Explain exactly what steps you took to address it.
• Result: Share what outcomes your actions achieved.

And then practice, practice, practice. Because you may only have two minutes.

Be Just as Prepared for a General Video Introduction

If you’re asked to provide a general introductory video rather than answer specific questions, here’s some tips for how to approach this. You need to be just as prepared as if you were answering set questions. Start by considering the role and the key selection criteria. What attributes are they wishing to see and what skills do they want to know you have?

Once you’ve given this careful consideration, map out the key headlines you want to say about yourself. You may choose to write these down and have them handy as prompts when you record the video.

Do Not Rush

You will not make as good an impression in your video if you come across as rushed.Take the time to consider when you can record the video so you will not be interrupted by co-workers, your family, house mates, pets or noisy traffic outside your window. I know it may feel scary to record a video of yourself. It may be tempting to just ‘get it done’.

Please don’t rush or just ‘do it now’ because you want it to be over. Most hiring managers don’t want to hire someone who doesn’t take the time to think things through. Take a more methodical and considered approach.

Show Your Natural Speaking Style

While you could script your answers, and even use a teleprompter that you follow as you record the video, it is important to remember that the hiring manager is not just assessing your answers. They will also be viewing the video to assess your communication skills. The more natural you can be, the better indication you will give of what you’re really like.

Prepare Your Surroundings Before You Record

Make sure the area behind you is clean and uncluttered, and that there are no distracting or inappropriate objects visible in the background. Consider adding a plant or a piece of art to add some personality to the space.

Think About What You’re Wearing

Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Dress professionally and avoid busy patterns or colours that might be distracting on camera. Choose an outfit that makes you feel confident and comfortable, and remember that solid colours generally look better on camera than patterns or stripes.

Check Your Lighting

Natural light is ideal, but if that’s not available, make sure you have enough artificial lighting to illuminate your face without creating harsh shadows. Avoid having a window or bright light source directly behind you, which can make your face appear too dark.

Advantages of Recording Yourself on Video

Spark Hire is a leading video job interviewing platform used by more than 6,000 organisations of all sizes across the globe. Many Australian organisations are integrating Spark with their applicant tracking system, resulting in a quick and equitable candidate experience, with all candidates answering the same interview questions leading to fair evaluations and providing you with the ability to provide more context about your experience. In some cases it also means your application can be processed faster, which is always music to a job seeker’s ears.

Vpply is a web application that allows candidates to apply for jobs with a video profile. Their website reports that the concept of the video technology came from addressing the lack of human connection in the first stage of the hiring process – job search. Finding a job is challenging and Vpply wants to allow jobseekers to make an impactful first impression through applying with a short video instead of the traditional CV and cover letter.

While it may not replace your need to prepare a cover letter and resume in the job application process it is increasingly likely to be a requirement. For talent acquisition managers, recruiters and hiring managers, some of the video based jobseeker databases on the market can easily be searched, qualified and shortlisted, and may not just be a stand alone step in the hiring process for a specific role.

On LinkedIn I have seen this technology when my clients are applying for roles in HR, sales, marketing, and project management. LinkedIn’s skills demonstration feature enables you to answer a standardised question via writing or video. Job posters will see your response when they view your application. Job titles that have the option to demonstrate skills include a selection of HR, Sales, Project Management and Marketing. You can view the latest list via LinkedIn Help here.

If you’d like help preparing for your next job interview or the job application process, please contact me for an obligation free discussion.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post How to Prepare Your Video for the Job Interview Process appeared first on Letz Create.

Your Cover Letter is the Key to Job Interview Success

How is your cover letter looking? Have you spent hours on updating your resume / CV, but no time on your cover letter? This is very common, and when I first meet most of my clients, and review their cover letter (the ones who have actually prepared one), I find they have written the following.

“I am loyal, energetic and wonderful and think I’d be really good for the job.”

Unfortunately, this is not going to get you to the interview and is perhaps the faster way to get you on to the ‘reject’ pile.

Your cover letter can be your secret weapon versus other candidates. How well you share your experience on the first page is critical to whether you are invited to interview. If your cover letter is thorough, the hiring manager or recruiter will use this as a handy guide to mark you against their check list, and then briefly glance over your CV or resume to ensure you’ve provided the more detailed evidence you referenced so clearly in your cover letter. Their mind will process you as tick, tick, tick and you will be placed on the ‘let’s meet this person for an interview’ pile.

My clients, hiring managers and recruiters love my cover letter format because it makes everyone’s life really easy! When the employer is having to process hundreds of applications for roles, and they are on a tight schedule to recruit, a well written cover letter is your secret weapon.

How to Approach Responding to the Key Selection Criteria

When I work with my clients I am always intrigued by how men and women approach applying for jobs differently.

Please let me explain.

When you are job hunting and actively applying for jobs and, assuming you have set up relevant search filters via the LinkedIn and SEEK search functions, for role, geographic location and salary range, one of the first steps when deciding if you will apply for the job is whether you meet the key selection criteria.

In my experience, men apply for roles when they only meet 75% of the key selection criteria, whereas many women will not apply for the role if they do not meet 100% of the key selection criteria. The key selection criteria is the list of either mandatory / required or desirable, but non mandatory, requirements included in a job advertisement in relation to the type of candidate the organisation is looking for.

As long as you meet the main 3 requirements, or at least three quarters of the listed mandatory requirements, I would encourage you to apply for the role.

How to Write a Cover Letter that Gets You to the Job Interview

I understand that you may find a cover letter difficult to write, because you do not know what to put in it and do not know how to capture your experience in a summary format.

I normally draw this information from your CV or resume and then ask you to tell me the story of each role and your experience. I will ask you to give me bullet points, which I use to write your cover letter for you. I will then train you on how to do it, because I generally find you will have 3 cover letters that tell different versions of your experience and story dependent on the role you are applying for. As you actively apply for roles using this format, you write the cover letter and send it back to me for review.

Let’s look at a real life example of one of my clients who was applying for a role in finance. The key requirements for the role were:

1. Financial Analysis
2. Financial Reporting
3. Corporate Governance
4. Risk Mitigation

In this case, my client did have proven experience in the top 3 areas and the necessary qualifications to do the job. So our focus was on providing evidence of how many years my client had worked for financial organisations (in this case NAB and ANZ) and finding a story about how they have managed risk in some capacity.

Many of my clients do not look at the key selection criteria properly and are too ‘black and white’ in their thinking. When it comes to tackling qualifications, which you may or may not have, it is essential to tell your story as it relates to the number of years’ experience in similar roles and achievements delivered in those roles.

What is important here is building a story with enough evidence and experience to achieve the tick, tick, tick action that gets my clients to interview! Once you do get invited to a job interview, be sure to read my article How to Stand Out at Your Job Interview and learn my 5 key success factors to help you stand out.

How I Help

To encourage you to use your cover letter more effectively as a tool to help you get invited to more job interviews, I am available for Career Coaching. These sessions are designed to help you be prepared for your job search and I will work alongside you until you land your dream job.

To learn more about the secret weapon I have shared with you today, book a 15 minute Career Chat with me. You may also like to access my Career Success Podcasts to hear inspiring stories from clients I have worked with who have found their career success.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Your Secret Weapon to Getting a Job Interview appeared first on Letz Create.

One of the main reasons for feeling nervous is the perception of the power imbalance. When being interviewed, some people feel their very survival (real or perceived) relies on them getting that job. What’s interesting about this power imbalance, where the recruiter or hiring manager holds most of the power and the candidate feels like a victim, is that this imbalance can be corrected and I’m going to show you how.

Please consider this… the person interviewing you would much rather you show your true self and be authentic in the interview, rather than the nervous you who acts like a deer caught in the headlights. An interview should be a two way conversation. It’s a chance to learn more about the organisation, the challenges of the role, the opportunities within the organisation, and what the day to day role really encompasses. Having some questions prepared for the interviewer can help flip the power imbalance and also give you a better insight into the organisation you’re hoping to work for.

Tackling Nerves

It’s really easy to allow your nerves get the better of you at interview. Appearing calm, confident and at ease will help you stand out. This can be achieved by preparing responses to common interview questions with examples to demonstrate your capabilities. When you are prepared it helps to settle your nerves. You will be more confident and also make a positive first impression. Your ability to ask the right questions in an interview will also help you perform better by redistributing the perceived power inequity and help you make better choices about your next role.

Flip Your Thinking

Let’s flip your thinking on this power issue and consider this. As a candidate, you have the power to help the person recruiting for the role solve a problem. You have skills, expertise and abilities that they want. The person interviewing you may have more at stake than you do because a bad decision on their part means significant and unnecessary cost and impact to their reputation within the company.

Be Authentic

To be successful in an interview you need to be authentic and present the best possible you. Stop thinking about how you ‘should’ behave in an interview and what the ‘right’ thing to say is and focus more on researching the company and considering what they’re looking for and how you best meet their requirements. Spend time thinking through and writing down examples of previous experience and scenarios that match what you are capable of and what they need. Think about how you would describe these examples in words you normally use, practice your delivery and focus on cultivating your inner strength. This will enable you to present a more comfortable and real experience for everyone at your next interview.

The Game Changer

And here’s the thing I really want to share with you, because it’s a game changer if you’re yet to try it. When you understand that an interview is a conversation that allows both of you to explore the possibility of you being part of or leading the team, then you will appreciate the value of asking questions. It’s a key way for you to show the real you, relax into the conversation and be more engaged with the interviewer.

While there will be some formality during the interview, there will also be opportunities to ask questions. If you see an opportunity, as you’re being asked questions on any of the topics below, ask whether you may please ask a question. If you’d prefer, you can wait until the end of the interview to ask your questions. Use your discretion as to what’s appropriate, and consider whether you want to work at an organisation where asking questions for clarity or further understanding is discouraged.

Questions to Ask at Your Next Job Interview

Here are some examples of the types of questions you may ask during a job interview. While you may prepare these in advance (in your head, at least), I encourage you to ask questions relevant to the conversation during the interview. The act of listening will be an asset if you use it to inform some of the questions you ask.

The Role

Examples of questions you may like to ask about the role include:

• Why has this position become available?
• What are the key responsibilities of this position, and do you expect them to change within the next year or so?
• What are the upcoming projects I’d be working on during my first few weeks?
• How will my performance be evaluated?

The Responsibilities

Open questions exploring the job description in more detail are a great way for you to assess the challenges and opportunities within this role. Some examples include:

• What are the key day-to-day responsibilities of the role?
• How does this role and responsibilities contribute to the success of the organisation?
• What training and support is provided to support new employees?
• Are there other departments would I be working closely with?

The Team

Asking about the team is also seen as an appropriate and engaging question. Learning more about the dynamics, culture and size of the team is a good starting point to determine if this position is the right fit for you. Some other questions you may consider asking include:

• How would you describe the team and organisational culture?
• Have the team members been with the organisation for a long time?
• How often does the team meet?
• What communication methods are used in the office and when working remotely?

Leadership Style

If your Manager is in the interview, it may be suitable to ask questions directly to them. If not, you can ask about who this role reports to and how they would describe this person’s leadership style. Some example questions for the interviewer include:

• What is the highlight of your career working at this organisation?
• How would you describe your leadership style or how do you manage your team?
• Have you been able to develop your career path with this organisation?

The Culture

This is where your pre-reading before the interview will help. Hopefully you’ve read the organisation’s annual report (if publicly available), made your way through their website and follow their updates on LinkedIn. Develop some questions based on what you’ve noticed about the company’s approach and plans based on what you’d like to know more about. You may like to ask:

• Are there plans for company growth or new developments in the pipeline in the next few years?
• What recommendations do you have for pursuing professional development and advancement at this company?

Perks

Rewards and remuneration are a focus in many industries right now as a way to attract great talent. Asking questions about employee benefits goes beyond remuneration and considers questions that may relate to remote and flexible work options. Many organisations also offer wellness programs. If you’ve done your research, you’ll be well versed on how they approach these elements. Prepare some questions based on your findings if this is relevant to your particular situation, for example:

• How does the organisation support employees with work-life balance?
• Does the organisation have any internal committees committed to employee wellbeing?
• What benefits are offered to employees?

Training Opportunities

Many organisations offer an induction program for new employees. You can ask questions like:

• What does your induction program look like for this role?
• Who will be training me?
• What ongoing training opportunities are provided?

Next Steps

As you come towards the end of the interview it’s absolutely to fine to ask what the next steps may be for their interviewing process. This will help you assess their timeline and how many other people they are interviewing. At the end of the interview you may also like to ask “Is there anything I need to add or clarify, to help you make your decision?” This is an especially important question if you are getting positive vibes in regard to whether this is the right job and company for you! You may also like to read my article, How to Stand Out at Your Job Interview.

Balancing the Power

Asking questions that are relevant to the role and your research, will help you assess:

• Is this the right role for me?
• Do I want to work for this company?
• Does it have the benefits and challenges I am looking for?
• Plus anything you can consider.

It’s how you determine whether this opportunity is just ‘a job’ or ‘the job’.

Interview Coaching

I know you need a job. What I want for you is the right job that matches your goals and aspirations, leverages your skills and experience, is located in the right company with values that align with yours, and has you working with co workers who’ll really ‘get you’. And it’s my belief, based on the many clients I’ve worked with who are in active job search, that if you use the suggestions I share about asking the right questions at your next job interview you’ll be in a much stronger position to assess if this is the right job for you. It’s also how you can balance out the power and reveal the real you in the interview.

If you are currently job searching and need some support with Interview Coaching, I encourage you to reach out. Click here to book a complimentary 15 minute Career Chat to learn more or share your challenges with me and together we can work on some strategies. I work with many clients and coach them through interviews to ensure they are prepared for that important interview and finding your career success. I partner with men and women to provide clarity and guidance on achieving a more satisfying career. I will support you until you get a job and can review your CV, prepare you for interviewing and help you navigate the open & hidden market to find your ideal job.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post The Importance of Asking the Right Questions at Your Job Interview appeared first on Letz Create.

In my experience and working with lots of job seekers, the interview is also one of the most stressful parts of the job search. You probably have lots of questions running through your mind. Are you the right fit for the organisation? What will they ask you at the interview? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What will you wear? Will you be able to get the video link working before the interview? Should you arrive early? You’ll be asked questions, some you can answer confidently, and others that may make you feel uncomfortable or worse completely unprepared with an answer. There’s a lot to consider before the interview even begins.

It’s also likely that you’ll be up against other impressive shortlisted candidates. So how can you ensure you stand out to make it to the final selection? Let’s understand the types of interviews and identify how you can achieve interview success and a job offer.

Types of Interviews

There are many different types of interviews. Here’s some examples of the styles of interviews.

Initial Screening Interview

This is the initial interview by the hiring manager. This can be via phone or video call, and is a critical first step in the interview process. It can often be in a group setting or individual, and is a key event where the hiring manager will either select you to go through to the next round, or opt your application out of the screening process.

Digital Interview

The digital interview is more of a screening interview to assess your suitability for the role relative to other applicants. It involves being interviewed via phone or computer and you will be provided with questions and have a time limit to answer. If you are shortlisted you are likely to be invited to a face to face interview.

Face to Face Interview

In many cases face to face interviews are held by a combination of hiring managers, business owners or the Human Resources department.

The good news is that if you are invited to a face to face interview, the organisation are likely to be impressed by your application. They will want to meet you and find out more about great things you’ve featured on your cover letter and resume when you applied for the role. It’s possible you also did well in a screening or digital interview and this is the next stage of the application process. Well done!

The bad news is that many of my clients find the face to face interview to be one of the scariest steps in the job application process. Most of the time this comes down to being nervous and unprepared.

Panel Interview

While face to face interviews can involve more than one person in the room running the interview, you can guarantee that you’ll be outnumbered in a panel interview! This style of interview involves being interviewed by three or four different types of people. It normally means the role has multiple stakeholders and each of these stakeholders needs be part of the interviewing process. Again, being invited to a panel interview (assuming it is not a group interview) is also a positive sign that you have impressed the organisation with your job application. And the reality is, there can be many steps and several interviews as part of this journey.

What does it Take to Stand Out at the Job Interview?

Whatever type of interview you are facing, the key factor to be successful at the job interview is to BE PREPARED. And this is where I spend a lot of time with my clients who are in the job search phase of their career journey and actively applying for roles. We work through a list of possible questions they may be asked and take the time to construct effective responses and consider all of the potential scenarios. We also discuss the types of interview and I take them through my checklists for preparing for these different interview situations.

If you are actively applying for jobs, here are my 5 key success factors. These tips will help you be prepared for your next interview and help you stand out. 

1. Be very clear what the key selection criteria is for the job

This is the number one element that the interviewer will be considering when they interview you. Take the time to review the key selection criteria. Note the language used and the outcomes they want from the role and be prepared to talk about your suitability for these.

2. Identify key achievements that meet the key selection criteria

Your ability to demonstrate how you have achieved what they are looking for will set you apart from the rest of the applicants. I often find that my clients need my help drawing out these key achievements. They have been so immersed in their roles they have not taken the time to consider what they’ve achieved and how to describe these succinctly and powerfully in an interview situation.

3. Create success stories using the STAR method

The STAR method requires you to explain a prior work situation anecdotally, provide details regarding the tasks required, what actions you took to achieve those tasks, and the results of the situation.

Letz-Create-Star-Method-interview

It’s a great way to provide structure to how you answer questions and deliver answers with impact and relevance. My clients who prepare for their job interview using the STAR method feel much more confident about their ability to answer questions, especially those more curly questions they may NOT have prepared for.

Here’s a list of 10 popular STAR interview questions.

• Tell us about a difficult decision you’ve faced in the last year.
• Can you please describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it?
• Describe a stressful situation at work and how you handled it.
• You indicated on your resume team building is one of your strengths. Can you please describe an experience in which you used your team building abilities?
• Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low)?
• Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively?
• Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa)?
• Provide an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
• Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or coworker.
• Give me an example of a time when you tried to accomplish something and failed?

4. Prepare at least ten scenarios

It’s then essential to prepare at least 10 scenarios of how you will respond to possible questions. While some of the questions above may be relevant to the roles you are applying for, there may be scenarios more specific to your role or industry. This is why it’s important to work with a Career & Job Search Coach in this phase to develop likely scenarios, rather than generic ones.

5. Rehearse your answers as much as you can

You didn’t learn to ride a bike the first time you got on it, and you will not be 100% comfortable talking about yourself in an interview without rehearsing these scenarios and your responses to the possible interview questions. Investing the time to practice will help you stand out in the interview. Preparing your answers is also a great way to build your confidence, which is an essential part of making sure you present the best version of you in the interview.

If you follow these steps, you have put yourself in a much stronger position to impress and stand out at the job interview. When you are prepared, confident and ace the job interview, you’ll find your career success. You may also like to read the article The Importance of Asking the Right Questions at the Interview where I cover some questions you can ask to ensure it’s the right role for you.

Interview Coaching & Preparation

It’s really easy to allow your nerves get the better of you at interview. It’s the one thing many people struggle with when applying for jobs and they get to the next stage. Appearing confident, calm and at ease helps you stand out. This can be achieved by being prepared for common interview questions and having responses ready with examples to demonstrate your capabilities. If this is something you struggle with and need some further support, you may be interested in Interview Coaching. Remember, the secret to your interview and success is how prepared you are.

If you are currently job searching and need support with Interview Coaching, I encourage you to book a 15 Minute Career Chat to learn more, click here to book a time.

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post How to Stand Out at Your Job Interview appeared first on Letz Create.

The Job Seeking Market Has Changed

The job seeking market has changed. When some of my clients first meet with me, they think the process of finding a new job is as simple as updating your resume and sending it off to a few friends and colleagues or applying for a few jobs.

‘Isn’t it that easy?’ I hear you ask. I am afraid not. Not anymore.

It’s a really competitive market, with many people applying for roles. The key stakeholders, recruiters and employers, are also much more focussed these days on the placement of the role and simply do not have time to provide job applicants with feedback. Many job applications must be submitted via online portals and are processed by sophisticated software programs before they even reach the hands of the person making the selections for the interview.  And when you are invited to the interview process I have heard of as many as seven stages before the successful applicant is offered the role.

An important point to remember is that it is not the recruiter’s role to guide you. They are paid by the employer and so their primary purpose is to find the best person for the role, which may or may not be you!

Nothing is more certain than change, and so if you can accept things do not remain the same for long, then I am hoping you can also consider my suggestions below that will help you get to a job interview faster.

Change Your Mindset

I really do encourage you to give some thought to your attitude towards the process of getting a job. The thing you need to know about me is, while I will always be gentle, kind, and thoughtful and, in most cases, help lead you to these conclusions, sometimes you need to just hear it. I am a realist, which means I am going to tell you the way it is.

So here it is. What you probably don’t want to hear. No sugar coating (apparently sugar is bad for you anyway  ).

Finding a job will not be as easy as before and the methods you have used in the past to get a job may not be as effective as they used to be.

If you can be open to accepting this reality, then it will help you be more successful finding your next job.

It’s not all bad news and it is about accepting the reality you find yourself in a taking positive action. In my experience, if you are prepared to take the time it requires to consider which roles your skills, background and interests are suited to, and then prepare for each new role you apply for by adapting your cover letter and resume, then you will be putting yourself in a stronger position to be invited to the job interview. If you understand that it is tough market and you will get there eventually, but you will not necessarily get the first job you apply for.

Understand the Value of a Cover Letter

One of the key ways to increase your success with getting to a job interview is understanding the value of a cover letter in the job application process. Please imagine for a moment you are either the recruiter or HR manager in charge of the selection process for the role you have applied for. It is their job to screen the applicants and decide who is invited to be interviewed. They are working to a criteria, which has hopefully been included in the job advertisement of position description. If they have not used software to help them screen the applications, it is likely they will be reviewing 100+ applications.

What can you do to make this job easier for them? My estimate is that you have about 17 seconds while the recruiter or HR manager scans your cover letter and CV. This means how well you demonstrate that you meet the key selection criteria, will determine how likely you are to be invited to the job interview. It is really important to adapt your cover letter to each new role you apply for and use or adapt the types of words and phrases that have been used in the job advertisement.

If you put yourself in the shoes of the person reading your application as you write or revise your cover letter, you will increase your likelihood of being invited to interview.

Consider the Role of a Career Coach

Applying for jobs is an emotional roller coaster. There will be high points, and there will definitely be low points along the way. The good news is that the more emotionally prepared you are for this process, the better.

At the beginning of the career guidance the job seeking process I encourage you maximise your chances of staying ‘emotionally fit’ during this roller coaster ride by considering the services of a Career Coach.

The purpose of a Career Coach is to guide you through this process, including:

• conducting a skills and experience assessment
• showing you how to updateyour cover letter and resume
• helping you develop a job application strategy

Some Career Coaches will also help you with interview preparation and debrief with you after the interview. This is an invaluable service for managing the highs and the lows when you are actively looking for work!

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post How to Get a Job Interview in a Changing Job Market appeared first on Letz Create.

In the Australian way of life, is it the tall poppy syndrome that holds us back from knowing our strengths? Or perhaps it is that we are simply encouraged to be modest. The end result is that most of us find it extremely difficult to boast about what we are great at!

I am here to tell you that modesty is not going to help you ace your next interview! It is your job in an interview to be able to clearly explain what your strengths are and why you are suited to the role. You can only do this once you take the time to really understand what your strengths are.

An interview is the time to stand out! So how do you go about doing that? Here are 3 tips from me about how to ace your next interview by taking the time to consider and understand your strengths and celebrate you skills and experience.

1. Reflect on all your roles, think about your success & what skills helped you. Allow yourself to feel proud and boast a little. I suggest you grab a pen and some paper and write it down. Taking the time to reflect on your successes is vital step in this process.

2. Make a long list of your strengths. This will help you when preparing for an interview, as you can reference this information and consider relevant examples (from the previous step) that you can explain to the hiring manager or interview panel to demonstrate your strengths.

3. Practice speaking your strengths out loud. I want you to hear them, feel them & own them. This will help you when you need to say them in an interview out aloud. It will also help you feel confident about them.

Here’s a list of common strengths to get you started. I suggest you review the list and consider which strengths describe you!

Source: http://www.best-job-interview.com/list-of-strengths-and-weaknesses.html

Once you take the time to recognise, acknowledge and own your strengths you will also feel more confident when answering interview questions about yourself and why you should be hired for the role!

Have a go! You never know who will be listening!

Marina Pitisano

I am a passionate Career Coach who works with individuals in the explore and search phase of their career journey, helping you realise your strengths through my career coaching and training programs. I enjoy showing people the path to greater career satisfaction and providing insight and tools to help you make your next career move.

The post Make this List to Help you Ace your Next Job Interview appeared first on Letz Create.