How To Be More Confident On Your Next Job Interview

"Get to know the job intimately that you're applying for. Don't just read the job description - study it and picture yourself performing every task required of you. When you interview, framing your responses so that you reveal your significant knowledge about the job gives you a massive advantage." 

Travis Bradberry

Being prepared for any given tasks is always a good idea, especially before your next job interview. Have you ever noticed how tense you are if you are not prepared? That is why preparing as much as you can before an interview will reduce your anxiety level and give you a boost of confidence.

I’ve had many roles in the staffing industry to include prepping interviewees on their next top interview. One of the main reasons we would take the time to prep interviewees is for them to feel more confident and have a sense of calmness that would help with such a stressful process.

Today I will share with you three basics steps you can take to make your next interview a little less stressful.

Step 1 - Research The Company

This is the time to go above and beyond, ask yourself, “what do I know about this company?” With the ability to search on the internet, you will be able to find information like, who are the key players? The company’s products, goals, and competitors. It’s time to investigate and find out about any recent layoffs, or struggles. When you gather all of your data, now you can construct solutions you can bring to the table and picture yourself as part of the team.

Step 2 - Prepare For The Face-To-Face Interview

Now you are ready to prepare for the interview. When you speak with the person scheduling the interview, don’t forget to confirm the address and meeting place. Ask who are you meeting with and their role. It’s normal to feel a bit of anxiety, but remember when you are prepared you are eliminating part of that stress. Practice a visualization meditation, actually picture yourself going through all of the processes; this will reduce your uncertainty. Picture yourself at your best. Practice, have a mock interview with a friend or family member. Alternatively, hire a career coach that will help you through the complicated process.

Step 3 - Things To Bring

Besides knowing what to wear beforehand, have everything ready, from a couple of working pens to a professional notepad, several copies of your resume. Moreover, your list of references. Now is an excellent time to write out possible questions for when you are asked, “Do you have any additional questions?” Alternatively, Don’t forget to work on your elevator pitch for when you are asked, “Tell me about yourself.”

Elevator pitch: 60 seconds to tell the person about yourself and your best qualities.

Example of additional questions at the end of the interview:

• Can you share more about the day to day responsibilities of the position?
• What’s a typical day like?
• What’s one thing that makes you happy to come to work every day?

In summary, with these several tips, you will alleviate your stress about your upcoming interview. Now prepare to map out your route the day before, arrive early and relax because you’ve got this. The more prepared you are, the better you will feel. Contact me today for a career coaching conversation.


Until next week,
Coach Barb
Certified Career Coach


How do you prepare for an interview?

How To Develop A Strong Team For Your Company's Growth

“Coming Together is a Beginning; Keeping Together is Progress; Working Together is Success.” – Henry Ford 

Sales or Business Development? Even though they both have the same outcome in mind, the process from where they take point A to Point B are entirely different. Two halves complete as a whole. They both exist to help your business grow.

My past background allowed me to learn both aspects of the process. I held a business development role in addition to having the responsibility of sales. However, after doing research and uncovering the details of each position, it is best to maximize each task and let your business reach higher levels by separating the two.

Think for a moment, why have your best sales rep busy doing research, prospecting and hunting for leads when he or she is best at closing? And why have your best qualifier close leads when he or she thrives on doing research? Get the best results, by knowing when to separate your team to maximize results.

Role Of A Top Business Development Team

• Expand New Markets
• Form Partnerships
• Do Research
• Prospect
• Gather Qualified Leads

Role Of A Top Sales Team

• Close
• Demonstrate Product
• Handle Objections
• Draft Contracts

It’s time to separate prospecting from selling to allow each team to focus on one task, instead of becoming frustrated with trying to do both with clearly different objectives.

Some companies sales reps are required to do both, and that’s ok, however, to know what is best for your company, answer the two questions below and determine whether or not you would like to have two departments that will maximize your return on investment.

• What is my employee's strength? Prospecting or Closing?

• How can I maximize my team's efficiency? 

After evaluating all of your employee's strength, determine how to separate them into two teams creating a Business Development Team and A Sales Team. Start your trial teams and analyze the results. It takes time to implement something new; however, if it’s going to help your company grow, it’s worth a shot.

In summary, having a clearly defined outcome can lead you to create a capable team. You know what’s best for you and your company, make sure that you have the right team in place. For a Career, Coaching conversation contact me today.


How do you view the difference between Business Development and Sales?

5 Powerful Skills When Developed Make You More Valuable

"The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership." Harvey S. Firestone

In today’s job market it is always best to show and improve your soft skills, also known as transferable skills. Employers are always looking for the right candidates to have the right abilities and skills, and that includes skills that can help in different areas of the organization.

What skills do you possess that can be used from one industry to another? I have excellent time management skills. For instance, I demonstrate excellent time management skills every day, I will have completed over six thousand words by the end of every Saturday afternoon. The way I accomplish such a task is by creating a schedule that allows me to achieve a little every day. It might not seem like a lot, but by the end of the month, I’m averaging twenty-five thousand words.

That’s just one example of the many tasks that I have on a daily and weekly basis. Let’s take a look at some transferable skills that you can acquire and develop.

Five everyday transferable skills to develop:

1. Leadership
2. Time Management 
3. Listening
4. Communication
5. Problem Solving

Of course, there are many more skills that are transferable. However, I chose the ones that I feel that by cultivating them you can use them across a wide range of industries.

In summary, what transferable skills do you have that has brought success in your career? Mine has always been the ability to maximize my time management. Also, take a look at being flexible and willing to go that extra mile. Show the initiative to be that one employee that brings more value to the table. Contact me for a powerful career coaching session.


Until next week,
Coach Barb
Certified Career Coach


What skills did I not mention that you would include on the list?

How To Be A Confident Job Seeker

“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” –Arthur Ashe

If you are seeking to switch your profession or you are new in the workforce arena, you need to start to prepare your job seekers toolkit. Looking for employment is a full-time job. And it is important to schedule your days to help you get through the process as easy and painless as possible; preparation is critical.

Previously I conducted career workshops to assist students with their job searching skills. I learned that it is essential to be disciplined and organized in the preparation process. It is rewarding to help and guide individuals through the stressful and taxing job searching task.

To become a confident job seeker, you need to be informed and ready to get to work. You need to schedule the time that you will dedicate to your job search.

Below you will find several tools that can help you jumpstart the process.

Tools:

• Job leads 
• Professional Portfolio And Pens 
• Interview Questions 
• Interviewing Outfits 
• Updated Resume 
• Reference List
• Research Power Hour 
• Notebook To Keep Track
• Updated Contacts 
• Follow Up Tracking System
• Network Opportunities 
• Schedule 
• Updated linkedin Profile 
• Work With A Career Coach

Social media clean up is essential, now with a social media footprint, employers are noticing more on behaviors that might not be appropriate for the organization.

If you are interested in a specific industry, read up on your industry trade publications to see new trends and news about your desired industry. Always stay informed.

In summary, as long as you know your strengths, skills and have the evidence of your past successes, you will be heading into your new career without a problem. By being prepared, you will reduce your anxiety with the job search process. Contact me for a Career Coaching Session today.

Until next week,
Coach Barb
Certified Career Coach

How do you prepare for a job search?