Nervous about the Interview?

Interviewing can be stressful for many, regardless of their background and experiences. I remember feeling nervous coming off ten years with a fantastic company. Having to start over in my career, I needed to figure out where to begin. My resume was not current then, so I had to revisit everything I had done, learned, and achieved. I had to learn how to tell my story, and for this, I'd need to understand where I came from and define where I wanted to go.

Why do we feel nervous? For some, it can be that we're out of practice. For others, the fear of rejection can cause anxiety.

Let's start by recognizing that interviews allow us to identify the right opportunities for us. Only some jobs we apply for are the right fit! So, use the interview process to determine the opportunities that best align with your experiences, skills, and interests. Once we understand this, we will feel more confident and ready for our interviews.

Let's get ready for our interview:

• Ensure your resume is current, professionally written, and aligned with your career aspirations.
• Get clear on your career aspirations and what is important to you.
• Take time to research the company you're applying to, "How is this company, its brand, and its mission statement aligned to your professional goals?"
• Review the job description, "How does your background align with the job requirements? Which experience or skill set makes you the best candidate for this opportunity?"
• Ask questions, and come ready to learn about the role, the company, and the brand. Show interest. Asking questions will allow you to gain a better understanding of the company culture and the direction of the company, and most of all, it will enable you to determine if this is the right opportunity for you.

Handling rejection:

It's a hard pill to swallow when we receive a rejection letter, especially when we are excited about the opportunity. A salesperson will tell you that a NO sometimes means "Not right now." We must remember that there are multiple applicants for every job, which can be competitive. Therefore, take a moment to deal with the emotion, then respond to the rejection letter gracefully and professionally. Your response will display your ability to communicate and handle difficult situations. It will also allow you to stay in touch with Hiring Managers and Recruiters for future opportunities.

Eileen Gonzalez, CPCC