by Solange Lopes | May 14, 2015 | Career |
I’ve done my share of interviews, whether formal or informal, group or individual, traditional and non-traditional, etc. And although most of my interviewing experience, and feedback from friends and family members also going through the interview process, is quite varied (and frankly interesting), there is one common thread I inevitably found present. It revolves around one’s mental state before the interview.
All throughout your career, you may have noticed preparing for an interview entails much more than figuring out what suit fits you better, or what shade of lipstick to wear. Being in the right mindset also plays a huge part in ensuring you come out of the process a winner, but you also enjoy it. And yes, there have been interviews I did enjoy, and ones that made me reconsider my aversion for dental appointments…
10 mental hacks to prepare for a successful interview
Here are 10 mental “Interview Superhero” hacks to get you all set in your head before you start answering questions about how much you love working:
1. Have a game plan!
Nothing like having a plan to feel mentally up to par. Make sure you are clear on how to convey your work history, strengths and weaknesses, as well as the reason(s) why you’re looking to leave your current place of employment, if any.
2. Have a back-up plan!
Interviews don’t always go as planned. Schedules change, people get snappy, and plans need backups! So even if you have your game plan on, always have a back-up plan (and keep your game face on)!
[Related: 12 Best Planners for Working Women.]
3. Check your equipment!
Any piece of equipment you will use before and during your interview will have to thoroughly be checked the day before or even earlier if possible! You know, things like if the car has gas, or your GPS is in working order, or if your interview includes a presentation, if you’re all set with the equipment…
4. Practice visualization!
I strongly believe in the power of visualization and manifestation of outcomes. You could have all the knowledge in the world, and a negative mindset may just cause you to miss opportunity after opportunity. Take a moment before your interview, or preferably at the start of your day, to visualize actually getting the job. If it helps, write it down and read it out loud!
5. Spend time around people who support you!
Build a support network around you. The more supportive the people you spend time with, the better mentally prepared you will be to tackle challenges such as a job interview.
6.Use positive self-talk!
What you say to yourself matters more than you think. Remember you will be talking about yourself quite a bit during the interview! Start practicing by positively thinking and talking about yourself, your skills and competencies. Once on the interviewee’s seat, your mind will remember…
7.Arrange for some quiet time before the interview!
Give yourself a few extra minutes ahead of time to have some quiet time to gather your thoughts, and calm your nerves!
8. Focus primarily on your strengths, and build your weaknesses’ narrative around them.
Both your strengths and weaknesses will be put to the test; however, you may want to focus on your strengths first. What is it that you do particularly well? Build on those to pinpoint things you could improve on.
[Related: 30 Best Personality Assessments to Help You Find the Career You Want!]
9. Maintain consistency in your schedule.
The day you have a major interview scheduled is not the day to make drastic changes in your schedule. Try, as much as possible, to maintain consistency in your schedule around this period!
10. Rest and relax before!
Last but not least, get a good night sleep, hit the gym the day before (or take a light walk around the block), and show up with your A-game on!
Any other mental hacks you’d like to offer?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 13, 2015 | Career |
I’ve had my share of interviewing tipsc recruiting advice, and how-to’s on getting the right interview, the right interviewers, and end up with the perfect career (which we kinda all know doesn’t exactly exist). Yet, what is not nearly talked about enough, are those unconventional, wisdom-meets-intensive practice tips that may stray from the common path, but do work wonders when it comes to turning that interview into a job offer! Here’s a quick and unconventional guide on scoring the job before you even get through with the interview: 
by Solange Lopes | May 11, 2015 | Career
Photo credit: theworkathomewoman.com
So you were contacted by a recruiter for an interesting position. You did your homework, and made sure he or she was a reputable recruiter, had an initial conversation with them and forwarded your resume for submission. Fast forward a couple of weeks, and no call back!
When you try calling the recruiter, you get the bland voice-mail. And your emails are falling on deaf ears as well…Is the recruiter trying to avoid you like a bad date? Should you back off and re-focus your efforts, or keep insisting?
My $0.05: In my experience, if you sense a recruiter is trying to avoid you, it’s either because 1) they have no feedback available at the time, or 2) they’re trying to avoid you, most of the time because they’re not particularly excited at the prospect of delivering negative feedback.
I find conveying the message early on that you are open to both positive and negative feedback helps in this type of situation. In the worst case scenario, resist the temptation to stalk your recruiter and chalk it up to experience.
Have you felt ignored by recruiters before? How did you react?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 11, 2015 | Career
I like the simplicity of this easy, yet very professional and elegant flounce dress from Ann Taylor. The botanic cut is extremely flattering, while the feminine flounce hem makes it a pretty, and practical option for work and cocktail hours. This dress is $179 at Ann Taylor!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 11, 2015 | Career
Photo credit: bing.com
I’ve dealt with my share of recruiters. The ones who randomly call you at work as your manager is passing by your cubicle. Those who track you down on Linked In and send you emails with titles like “I have THE perfect position for you”. And the recruiters/marketing gurus who know how to get you to call back. Don’t get me wrong, recruiters can be an invaluable source in your job search or transition. However, knowing how to work with them, and most importantly, how to set expectations is key to a successful “recruiting” relationship.
While many get approached by recruiters for specific opportunities, being prepared to deal with the recruiting process in a clear and effective way is always best. In other words, you’ve got to be prepared to recruit your current or potential recruiter ahead of time:
1. Clarity first! First things first, you need to be clear about your needs, expectations, and where you stand in your career now. Keep in mind, a recruiter is not a career counselor, or a mind reader for that matter. It’s up to you to decide what you want first!
2. Be selective! Working or even exchanging information with the first recruiter coming your way is counter-productive, and could even hurt your reputation in the long term. Take time to vet your recruiter when you first get approached. If you’re on the hunt for a recruiter, focus on building a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship that extends beyond a basic job search.
Look for social cues, such as referrals, word-of-mouth, and social media activity such as on Linked In for instance, to assess your potential pick.
3. Take advice! Do not discount the recruiter’s advice when it comes to polishing your resume, or adjusting your salary expectations. Chances are, he or she is more familiar with the company’s culture and management, and can steer you in the right direction.
4. BUT protect yourself! Beware of working with recruiters who won’t tell you the name of the company they work with. As much as possible, check their ties with the company’s hiring manager to verify their claims are legitimate.
Do not hesitate to set a time limit before moving on to other opportunities. And always, always, do your own research!
Any additional tips getting the best recruiter for you?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 10, 2015 | Career |
Happy Mommy Day to all biological, non-biological and spiritual moms out there! We salute your courage, strength, and impact on this world. And we’re sharing this weekly news update dedicated to moms with you, as you hopefully are sipping on your cup of coffee catching a break today (or like me, you could be running around figuring out where the kids’ shoes are):
- The Street is giving you 6 tips to have the career talk with your kids;
- Enterprise tells you all the ways motherhood prepares you for entrepreneurship;
- The New York Times reveals more women are finding time for babies and advanced degrees (and we like the sound of that);
- Slate confirms moms are still doing more housework than fathers (ahem…we said that before);
- How about some Mother’s Day freebies? Pop Sugar lists 12 Mommy Day freebies to give the moms in your life that extra treat;
- Corporette Moms gives you some advice on how to celebrate Mother’s Day when you have small kids (and oh do I need the advice);
- MSNBC reminds us of what American moms really want on Mother’s Day (other than hand-made cards and breakfast in bed);
- The Guardian wishes you a happy (working) Mother, and asks if the whole balancing act for mothers has gotten nay easier;
- The LA Times had this interesting opinion piece on Mother’s Day not being really for mothers, and it will make you think again;
- Last but not least, we at the Corporate Sister think you should play the working mom card at work, and asking if your working mom guilt is working you into “carelessness“?
Happy Mother’s Day!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 8, 2015 | Career |
Photo credit: hellobeautiful.com
If you’ve ever been faced with struggling to find a babysitter to interview for a job, you’re in great company! First Lady Michelle Obama was in the same boat a few years ago when she took newborn Sasha to a job interview! Yet, since we’re not Michelle Obama, can we mere mortals bring kids to the interview?
My $0.05: Unless you’re in an emergency situation or somehow plan to have your child participate in the interview, please refrain from bringing him/her to the interview room. If you have no other choice, pick up the phone and reschedule your interview.
And no, you’re not Michelle Obama…
Would your bring your kid to your interview?
The Corporate Sis.
