What are the most effective interview preparation strategies for job seekers during a career transition?

During a career transition, professionals should attend industry conferences and training events to locate potential mentors and advocates. After helping more than 350 clients land new jobs, I can tell you that networking is at least 80% of the job search. Mentors help because they have the benefit of hindsight, but they also can a network of introductions they can help you with.

During my 20 years of working in a variety of design and field disciplines, I have had to adjust. * Shown them what you've accomplished and succeeded at over time. * Give them examples of what you have done that will transfer to this new line of work. * Let them know you learn quick, ask question and will do the studying and shadowing needed to learn the position. * Communicate clearly and professionally how you will work with your team to accomplish your understanding and training to ve a successful team member. * Outline how your back ground will benefit the company and bring positive ROI return on their investment in you. Remember your in sales, selling what you offer as a employee to the hiring company is important. BE CONFIDENT.

This part should be the easiest. Prepare 4-5 work stories that clearly link to the job description, using the STAR method to explain those experiences. The hiring managers should not have to decipher whether or not your a good fit. Use the bullets from their job responsibilities to determine which of your work examples you’ll use.

Executives should all become highly trained in storytelling and interview communications because the interview is the only opportunity for the hiring company to see those skills firsthand. Only the best communicators will be hired at the executive level. After coaching 100’s of executives on interview preparation, I’ve been shocked to see how much these skills are lacking, especially when it comes to their own introduction stories. Freytag’s Framework is great for personal and professional introduction stories. It’s a magic opportunity to connect with others. Explaining work history must also follow a storytelling framework to add clarity, making it easy for the listener to digest the information in a compelling manner.

When using the STAR method, make sure the results section has more information than the other pets combined. It should be a balanced mixture of qualitative and quantitative results. For example, what did this project do for you, your team, the company, and any other stakeholders?

Get an interview like me to conduct a mock interview with you. It’s a critical part to gain feedback and evaluate where you need more help or preparation. There’s no substitute for practice and feedback from an executive coach. After 100’s of mock interviews, I can say with certainty that the introduction story and work results (the R in STAR examples) are where people need the most help.