Written by: Dr. Lisa T. Lewis, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
With the transition into a New Year, a few of us begin to reimagine our personal and professional lives. If we don't already have our dream job, we want it, and we want it now. But getting that dream job involves applying and the dreaded interview.
As mothers, especially single mothers, we wear a lot of hats—Chauffeur, Counselor, Coach, Chief Financial Officer, Employee, Entrepreneur, etc. You see where I'm going with this, right? We aren't pretending, but we have a variety of roles we play. Preparing for the dream job interview is no different.
It's natural to feel nervous about job interviews. But you can use mock interviews to gain confidence and make a better impression on a potential employer.
Preparing for a Mock Interview
1. Do your research. Act like you're preparing for the real thing, starting with comprehensive research. Identify the industry and the type of position you want. Using an actual job description from a specific company may be helpful to keep you focused.
2. Rehearse answers to common questions. Put together a list of questions likely to get asked in an interview. Practice a brief opening statement describing your qualifications. Later, you can customize this for each situation. Go over your job history to extract several success stories that demonstrate your abilities.
3. Develop your own questions. Brainstorm relevant questions you can ask to demonstrate your interest and knowledge about the job opening. Find out how industry trends are affecting your potential employer. Clarify aspects of the organizational culture that may not be described in its written materials.
4. Choose your mock interviewer carefully. A friend who works in human resources may be an ideal choice. People with managerial positions in your chosen field can also be helpful. Look for someone who can devote adequate time and take the task seriously.
5. Discuss your goals. Have a preliminary talk with the person who's helping you. Please share what you want to achieve with them. Let them know that you appreciate candid feedback on your entire performance, from body language to verbal responses. An outside observer can help you identify any distracting mannerisms you may have.
6. Select a neutral setting. Try to hold your interview in the same setting you want to work. If you're looking for an office job, visit your friend's office before work or book a meeting room at a local restaurant.
7. Dress the part. Wear your interview suit. It will help put you into the right mindset and give your friend a chance to confirm that you're dressing appropriately.
Conducting a Mock Interview
1. Record your session. A video or audio recording provides helpful documentation. You'll be able to see how much you really fidget or how often you insert the word "like" into your sentences.
2. Repeat as often as possible. Schedule as many drills as you need to get comfortable and competent with the interview process. Ask your friend to vary their questions and approach each time. Keep track of your progress.
3. Work on your greeting and closing. Everything you do contributes to the impression you make on your potential employer. Learn to shake hands smoothly while you're carrying a briefcase. Prepare concise closing statements that sound natural while expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm.
4. Finish up with a debriefing. Review every session with the person helping you. Gather all the advice you can. Write down what you need to work on and the areas where you succeed in making improvements.
5. Watch yourself in a mirror. It's best to train with another person, but using a mirror is the next best thing if no one else is available. You'll be able to see whether you look poised or anxious. Watch your hand gestures and observe your facial expressions. Even if you do have someone to help you, practicing with a mirror is a valuable supplement to your mock interviews.
6. Consider professional services. If you want to go a step further, explore professional services. Most universities offer a wide range of support through their career service centers. Employment agencies are another resource to study.
7. Review Single Moms Love and Money Success Kit. Discover several additional practical steps to propel your personal and professional success. These steps may be tools to use in conjunction with any professional services you may acquire. Visit singlemomsloveandmoney dot com to download.
The more you practice, the better you'll perform at your actual interview. Mock interviews can make you stand out as a better candidate in this competitive job market. After all, it's just another role you get to play.
Dr. Lisa T. Lewis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Lisa T. Lewis, The Belief System (B.S.) Boss®, through her Belief System training, teaches career-oriented single mothers how to provide abundantly and effortlessly for their families so that they can achieve their personal and professional goals without stress or guilt. A certified John Maxwell Team Coach, Teacher, Speaker, and Trainer, Dr. Lisa is also the best-selling author of Making B.S. Boss Moves: The Four R’s to Achieve Success, and The B.S. Boss Blueprint: A Guide to Perpetually Succeed. She also hosts, The Blueprint, a streaming TV program that helps you design your life’s vision and goals one episode at a time! She incorporates her 30+ Years of Leadership & Management in the Public Sector (Budget and Finance), Certificate in Public Leadership (The Brookings Institute), Certificate in Personal Development & Executive Coaching (The Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute), and Ordained Elder/Clergy (Greater Saint John Cathedral) experience to the table in service to clients.
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