3-Step Job Interview Preparation: What to Do Before, During & After an Interview

• 2-minute read •
Blow your next interview out of the water with these simple tips.

I cannot stress the importance of interview preparation! You only get one chance to prove to a potential employer why you’re the right candidate for the job. It’s imperative you walk into each and every interview with a premeditated plan for selling yourself. Unfortunately, too many well-qualified candidates fail to spend enough time preparing for interviews and subsequently lose out on good offers.

Interview prep not your forte? Try implementing this simple 3-step job interview preparation plan to help you score your ideal career.

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How to Cure the Verbal Virus: A Five Step Treatment Plan

Warning! You may be infected with a virus that could be lethal to your sales, your public relations and even your social life. I call it a "Verbal Virus."

Verbal viruses are meaningless fillers that speckle our speech, distract from our message, drain our impact and annoy listeners. I call them verbal viruses because they seem to be contagious and we pick them up without being aware of it.

The most common verbal viruses are: "uhh" "um" "like" "you know" "well" "okay" and "sort of." They also include annoying mouth sounds and lip smacks.

Verbal viruses are jarring to the ear and inconsistent with a professional image. They can make you sound unsure, unprepared and poorly educated. The good news about verbal viruses is that they are easily cured. Here's my 5-step plan for prevention, treatment and cure.

1. Diagnose the Problem: Since verbal viruses are unconscious, the only way you'll hear them is on tape. Record a few of your phone calls on a typical business day to quickly determine if you are suffering from a verbal virus infection.

2. Pause: Whenever you catch yourself saying a non-word, just stop talking. Say nothing. This gap of silence will feel scary at first, but if the pause is no longer than 5 seconds, the listener will scarcely notice. A pause will help you gather your thoughts while giving the listener time to reflect on what you have just said.

3. Record the Voicemail Messages You Leave for Others: Listen to them at the end of the day and note whether or not unwanted fillers have crept into your messages.

4. Enlist the Help of a Friend or Spouse: Explain what you are trying to do and invent a code word he or she can use every time you use a filler word. The constant reminder will help you break the habit fast.

5. Hold Your Breath: When you feel you are about to use a non-word, take a breath, hold it for a moment and then begin to speak. The focus on your breathing will occupy your mind, keep you calm and centered and make the silence between the words seem much less scary.

Here's to healthy speaking.

Taking the next step

In deciding whether you are ready to move up to the next rung in the career ladder, it pays to take a systematic approach. Chatting about your burgeoning career to friends over a few drinks after work may feel like you're mapping out your next move, but it's easy to convince yourself of something that may not stack up in the cold light of day.

The best place to start is to carry out a focused career audit:

• How has your career progressed to date?
• What are your career ambitions in the medium to long term?
• What does that tell you about where you need to be heading in the next year?

Think about your skills, strengths and weaknesses. More importantly, identify what you do and don't enjoy at work. Be brutally honest - no one else needs to see what you write down. What skills gaps do you need to fill so you can get to where you want to be?

For each of the skills gaps you have identified, think about what you can do to bridge them. Perhaps you can get some training, read career or personal development books, or find yourself a career coach. Whatever action you decide to take, put in place a specific and timed plan to get you there.

Even if you're happy in your job, give your career a regular once over – at least every three months. It's also a good idea to keep a diary or journal so that you can jot down contacts, ideas, interesting websites or articles you come across, as well as keeping a record of your progress and achievements.

Look around you
Many people default into the idea that moving up the ladder means switching companies. While this is one route, it is not the only option. There may be some excellent opportunities waiting for you on the next floor or down the corridor.

It costs companies a lot of money to recruit new people, so you have a built-in bargaining position if you move internally. You may be able to secure a promotion in your current company, or even expand your existing role so that it stretches you more and gives you extra responsibility and valuable experience.

Getting recognition
Being a hard worker doesn't necessarily mean you'll reap the rewards due to you, so look for ways to boost your profile in the company every now and then. Perhaps ask your boss to acknowledge your success in the company newsletter or on the bulletin board. It all helps.

Take time to work out how you want your job to grow, and share the plans with your boss. You'll usually need their support to move forward.

Try to dress and act for the role you want, not the role you're currently in. That doesn't mean spending a fortune on expensive clothes and haircuts; it's more about being well-groomed and professional in your appearance. Our opinions about other people are usually formed in the first couple of minutes after we meet them. First impressions are critical.

Move on to move up
If you hit the proverbial brick wall when trying to make an internal move, you'll have to look elsewhere. But how do you get a job as a manager when you've never actually managed before?

It's all about how you describe yourself in your CV. Don't lie or exaggerate about your responsibilities in a previous role as your future employers can easily check the facts. Talk about tasks such as training up new employees or hosting strategic meetings with your team – it shows your potential to be a strong man-manager.

Another option is to network at industry events or get your name in the trade press to attract potential employers. You can do this by writing an article for an industry magazine or even starting your own industry-related blog to give yourself an air of authority on certain subjects.