Year ago, I would give this advice to job seekers:? Practice Your Answers to Interview Questions.
I soon realized that many job seekers didn’t understand what I was suggesting they do. To make this guidance more actionable, here’s the clarification I offer now:
- Practice your answers until you almost don’t need to think about what you’re going to say.
- Treat your preparation like you're going to give a speech in front of a large audience.
- Remember to practice delivering a succinct introduction that effectively summarizes your background, accomplishments, and goals in preparation for the “Tell me about yourself" question.
- Rehearse in front of a mirror to become aware of your body language and facial expressions.
- Record yourself to analyze your tone and pacing.
- Be sure to practice with a friend, mentor, colleague, or career coach because they can provide valuable perspectives that you may not have considered.
- If possible, practice in mock interviews that mimic the conditions of a real interview.
- Practice giving answers that highlight your relevant skills and experience in a way that aligns directly with the job you're applying for.
- After practicing your answers, write down a list of follow-up questions that an interviewer might ask based…and practice answering to those questions too.
The amount of time required to effectively prepare for interviews will vary based on several factors including your existing level of experience with interviewing, and how in-depth you want to go with your preparation.? I encourage job seekers to allocate at least 5 hours to this process, and longer if they’re able to participate in mock interviews (which I strongly encourage).
