Be Yourself:
Staying true to yourself is the most important piece of advice we can give. If you are yourself, you won’t need to be an imposter. You want potential coworkers to see you and to build a connection with the real you. You want them to want you there (in that role). If you sell them someone else, they’ll feel bamboozled and you will feel exhausted because you have to keep up a charade.
For many folks, right now is a time of transition in the workplace. Workers are looking for flexibility, job security, higher salaries, a tangible commitment to DE&I, and a positive workplace culture. Simultaneously, many employers are shifting back to the pre-pandemic status quo. Amazon, Oracle, Apple, Google, and many more are rescinding remote and hybrid work options and calling workers back into the office full-time. The tech industry is in a state of flux and has laid off nearly 100.000 US workers, causing a great deal of uncertainty about the stability of jobs within the sector. Additionally, we’re also seeing the systematic dismantling of DE&I initiatives and commitments that are decimating departments and roles in its wake. All of this has led to an erosion of worker confidence and many are looking for a fresh start.
If you’re looking for a new job and it’s been a while since you’ve been interviewed or you’ve had several interviews, but haven’t landed a job yet, I’ve compiled a list of tips to help you sharpen your skills to be ready to land your next job!
The most important thing to keep in mind is that they called you for an interview because they’re interested in hiring you. Yes, you! There is no need to be an imposter. You should go confidently into every interview with that belief. Out of all the people who applied, they chose to invite you in for an interview.
Once you feel confident that you’re a frontrunner for this role (and you should), now let’s get to work on the preparation!
- Prepare like you would for a test because preparation is key to acing an interview. Most questions should not come as a surprise to you. If you have a test and you spend the necessary time studying, when it’s test time, you shouldn’t be surprised about the questions. There are general questions you should always be prepared to answer, then there are questions that you might expect them to ask given the job description or your resume, and then you have questions that come straight out of left field.
- In the same vein, be prepared for something unexpected like the interviewer not having enough questions to carry the interview, which means you may be asked to facilitate the interview by asking them questions or sharing something pertinent about yourself. If you find yourself in a situation where the interviewer feels stuck and doesn’t know what to ask next, and says something like “so what else would you like me to know about you?” Be ready, because it happens more than you might think.
- Become an excellent storyteller. Hopefully, they’ve looked at your resume, which means they know about your experience and skills. Your job is to make your resume come alive through stories that illustrate your work experience, and more importantly, how they relate to the role you’ve applied for. How do your skills advance the mission of this organization and meaningfully contribute to the goals and objectives of this team?
- Be Yourself. Staying true to yourself is the most important piece of advice we can give. If you are yourself, you won’t need to be an imposter. You want potential coworkers to see you and to build a connection with the real you. You want them to want you there – in that role. If you sell them someone else, they’ll feel bamboozled and you will feel exhausted because you have to keep up a charade.
- Never underestimate the importance of group dynamics and cohesion. If you don’t see yourself working well with this team, no amount of money is worth the hassle and your skills will not be enough to carry you through. If you’re in an interview and you’re getting the sense that multiple people are interrogating you versus interviewing you, then you should strongly consider if this is the place you want to be. Working is transactional – you are giving your skills, knowledge, and time in exchange for money. This company/organization and team has to feel like a good fit for both parties. Being in the wrong place, on the wrong team, is what compels people to operate as an imposter. You want to be on a team who sees you, who values you, and wants you to be there.
- Ask really good questions. What are you curious about as it relates to the company culture, the role, or the mission? Be clear about why you applied and be prepared to articulate your interest in working for this company/organization, and even more so this department/program/project. Asking these types of questions, speaks to your level of interest and shows that you’ve done your homework.
- Interviews are a personality contest. You have to know how to outshine others who are vying for the same role. You were probably taught that it’s about how qualified you are, but that’s not always the case. Employers are willing to invest in training you so that you gain the necessary skills, but if your personality is dry, they’re not able to get a good read on you, or they get a sense that you don’t have a personality, they might pass. Get enough rest the night before and make sure you feel energized enough to deliver your highest self.
Good luck and go ace your next interview!
