Interviews Begin with Preparation and Mindset

(Opinions are my own)

Rebecca Darling, MBA, PME, ACC

When it comes to careers and job interviews, refining your resume and rehearsing common behavioural questions is crucial. Standing out from the crowd is essential in a competitive candidate pool. As a candidate prepares responses to interview questions, this can include rehearsed responses. However, interviewers are looking for the real you. An overly rehearsed interview or stressed interviewee can result in a missed opportunity to connect and learn about your skills and relevant potential contributions.?

Taking the time to prepare with focus, including mindset and practice, can make a lasting impression of confidence and presence. The emotional state can affect how candidates present themselves and connect with interviewers.?

Mindset and knowing how neuroscience and contemplative practices influence your confidence and presence can set you apart. Here are some tips to help approach your interviews with confidence and preparation.

Neuroscientist Sarah McKay shares a helpful model for better understanding biological, social, environmental, or psychological ways to buffer stress. Awareness of these factors allows a candidate to approach the interview process with an approach to interviewing in a more holistic approach (Sarah Mckay 2024).

Sarah writes about factors that help us maintain a healthy brain. “The health and happiness of our brain are influenced by multiple interacting factors, including biology, the world around us, other people, and our thoughts, feelings, and mindset. One useful way to understand how so many complex factors influence our brain is using my Bottom-Up, Top-Down, Outside-In Framework”?(McKay, S. 2024, Six Brain-Based Solutions).

Dr. Sarah McKay, The Neuroscience Academy, 2023, offers six practical strategies to find peace of mind amidst your challenges with the framework.

Dr. Sarah McKay, The Neuroscience Academy, 2023

Do Your Homework, Bottom-Up Approach?

• Sleep and Nutrition: A well-rested and nourished brain functions more effectively. To optimize your cognitive performance, ensure you get quality sleep, are hydrated,? and eat a light, healthy meal before the interview.
• Leverage Stress to Your Advantage: A moderate amount of stress can enhance cognitive function and improve performance. You can use it as a motivator to sharpen your focus and energy during the interview.?
• Demonstrate positive body language with energy in the virtual or in-person interview.
• Gratitude: Gratitude is a practice linked to positive changes in the brain, including reduced stress and increased well-being. Reflect on your gratitude before the interview to boost your mood and resilience.

Cultivate Mindfulness - Top-Down Approach?

• A mindful practice in advance can help you stay present and attentive during the interview. Be sure to cultivate Mindfulness in your preparation and approach the interview with a genuine intention to connect through rapport.??
• You can do a relaxation exercise or meditate. This approach can help center your mind and focus and bring clarity. If you are new to meditation, many free resources are available on streaming services.?
• Focus and become aware of your breath. Pausing to notice your breath helps reduce stress and shift your energy to be more present and relaxed.?
• Mirror Neurons and Connection: Neuroscience shows mirror neurons help us empathize and connect. Subtly mirroring your interviewer's body language and tone can create a sense of rapport and alignment.

Lean into Connection and Nature, Outside-In Approach

• Utilize nature as a confidence-building tool. Go outside, be in nature, and benefit from the positive stress-reducing impact of walking in nature.?
• Harness the power of visualization to reduce stress levels. Neuroscience suggests that visualization can activate similar neural pathways as actual experiences. For example, vividly imagining a successful interview can help one feel more confident and prepared.
• Deep breathing can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping you stay calm and focused. To manage anxiety, incorporate slow, deliberate breaths before and during the interview.
• Lean on friends for support. We are wired to be social. Connect with others who have a positive impact and make connections.?

Final Thoughts:?

Your mindset, enhanced by neuroscience and contemplative practices for focus and relaxation, can significantly impact your interview performance. By focusing on confidence, presence, and preparation, you can enter the interview ready to make a positive and professional impression.?

Use these insights to cultivate a calm, confident, and focused mindset that will leave a lasting impact on your interviewers. Remember, interviews are two-way; you and the employer assess compatibility and “fit” for the role.? Approach the process with curiosity and openness, and you'll be well on your way to securing your desired job.

Reference:

Dr. Sarah McKay, The Neuroscience Academy, 2023, with permission, https://drsarahmckay.com/

BIO

Rebecca brings experience in business as an educator, lifelong learner, stress management personal and professional development coach, and coach in leadership transitions, careers, and caregivers.

She is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation, Certified with the Canadian Institute of Stress Management Consultant, and Certified in the 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. She is currently working on the 300-Hour YTT.

Rebecca holds a Professional Master of Education from Queen’s University focusing on Indigenous Studies and an MBA in Community Economic Development from Cape Breton University.

Her work is to help others manage daily stressors through coaching and education about stress management concepts and the adoption of small micro-actions or habits.

Rebecca was a newcomer to Canada in 2002. After the immigration process, she worked in strategic account management and economic development in Kingston, Ontario, helping companies develop growth strategies and launch or expand businesses. Her work and research in learning and helping others are grounded in the mainstay of personal growth.

https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/rebeccadarling/