Know you worth - Interviews and overcoming self doubt

I thought I would share a story from this week in the hope that it helps or inspires anyone else currently on the search for new job opportunities.

Early this week, I interviewed someone who had been working for the Australian defence force for over 25 years. He performed really well during our interview and did not miss a beat. I finished the interview thinking that he may well be a perfect fit for the role I have been recruiting and that I would debrief with the hiring manager about him straight away! When I find a great fit for a role; I do not waste any time!!

After speaking with the hiring manager about the applicant, he asked me to set up a face to face interview with him for the next morning. I informed the applicant of the great news and he seemed very happy and excited. I walked him through some interview prep and followed up with an interview confirmation email along with some practice interview and interviewee questions.

The next morning at 6am, I woke up to a dreaded SMS from the applicant, stating that upon further research in the evening, the job was not a suitable fit for him and that he would not be attending the interview and thanking me for my professionalism. I was so disappointed and confused and of course a little embarrassed to have to deliver the message to the hiring manager at short notice. Thoughts running through my mind were, what research could have led him to come to this conclusion? We ran through the role thoroughly at interview stage and he seemed excited and actually stated it sounded perfect according to what he was seeking.

Perhaps he had spoken to someone locally about the role or the company? Who knows. I tried to call the applicant to gather feedback and reached his answerphone. I left a message and a few hours later decided to SMS him. After a while, he responded. It turns out that he felt that the process had all happened so quickly and he had not expected it to happen so fast Interview with myself one morning and then a client interview the next morning. Also, he felt his lack of job interview practice, having not attended an interview in many, many years, would need some improvement before he applied for any more jobs. Understandably, he was having a crisis of confidence and nerves were playing a huge part.

My husband is in the defence force and I completely understand that the transition from defence in to the civilian employment world is such a big one; so this was very close to home for me. Over SMS, I reminded him of a few really simple points that can make a world of difference to how you feel and perform in an interview. I really, really wanted to help this person to overcome his fear as he is really has a lot to offer.

If nerves get the better of you; just remember some of these points-

• No matter how nervous you are, always attend an interview rather than turning down the opportunity as the worst that could happen is that you do not get the job; but, a positive in that worst case scenario is that you will have had the job interview experience and that is a great learning tool. In my opinion, failing to gain the opportunity is a far better outcome than just not trying at all, no matter the reason for turning down the opportunity to interview.
• Just remember that whist the employer is assessing your suitability for a role or team; you are also assessing them and the opportunity in full, to ensure that if an offer is made, you wish to accept. We spend more time in work and with colleagues than we do with our loved ones and friends, so you need to ensure that the opportunity is the right one for you and that you wish to invest your time in working for them. You must be happy with your job to ensure that it is a good long term option. An offer may be made, but it is not guaranteed that you will accept: this gives some of the power back to you and this will help wit your confidence.
• Ensure that you know your worth prior to attending an interview. What is great about you? What are some of your past career achievements that you are proud of? What are your key strengths and what do you have to bring to the team? When you remind yourself that you are a good catch and that they would be lucky to have you; this will start to tip the balance in your favour in terms of confidence. Don't forget what you have to bring to the table and what sets you apart from your competition. Come up with an elevator pitch as to what is great about you as a person and also as an employee. We often do not think about just how good we are and how much value did we add in previous roles.
• Some people forget that the person/people holding the interview are only human too; they are not robots. They may be naturally introverted or nervous about holding the interview and asking the questions. They may not hold many interviews and as such may feel uncomfortable about the whole thing without you realising it; they may interview you on a panel with their peers or superiors and may feel pressure to perform well or sound good in front of them. Just remember, at the end of the day, we are all just bare bums in the shower (I hesitated when writing that last bit, eek!) Assist them with the flow of the conversation and try not to provide one word answers; provide examples and do not forget small talk that can break the ice and make you all feel more comfortable.
• Do whatever you need to, to make yourself feel good in the run up to the interview; Meditate, get a new haircut, have your hair styled. Cashflow permitting, buy a new suit, skirt, top or shoes. Whatever makes you feel good pre interview; do it!!!! This can make the world of difference.
• Pre prepare questions you may have about the opportunity and take them with you on a note pad. Under pressure, your brain functions differently and you need to ensure you walk out of there, armed with all of the information required in order to make an educated decision as to whether the job is the right now for you. Plus, you do not want to get to the end of the interview for them to ask you if you have any questions and for them to have all slipped out of your mind! That can be so frustrating.
• If you feel you have not had chance to do so; If you are comfortable with it, when asked if you have any questions, ask them, but also ask if they mind you telling them why you would be a good fit for the position. Step out of your comfort zone if you can!

Back to this week's story....4 long and meaningful SMS's later and the applicant was on board to give it all another go if the hiring manager was open to it (He was). He asked me to request an interview after the long weekend, to give him the chance to practice. I told him not to practice at all (just research the company), to just be himself as he had been meeting myself over video conference and I also suggested that he should instead attend an interview the next morning and first thing, so that he was not overthinking things over the weekend and getting too much in to his own mind allowing the possibility for self doubt to creep in. He agreed.

He had his interview this morning and absolutely smashed it; he did so well. The client is going to come back to me before the end of the day as he has another applicant to consider. He did so well regardless and over the phone, I could tell he knew the hiring manager was impressed with his performance in the interview and that most importantly, he had a pep in his step and this had really improved on his confidence.

Recruitment can be so rewarding and I genuinely love to help people where I can; so this has made my week! Just another happy outcome that I felt I should share in case anyone reading may need to hear any of this.