Are you getting interviews but not job offers? Maybe you can’t even get to the second interview? I speak to job seekers every day who’ve had their confidence shaken because of situations like these–but believe it or not, this is an easy fix. Here’s what to do if you can’t make it past the first interview:
- Always bring a 30/60/90-day plan. If they aren’t moving you forward (to a second interview or a job offer), you haven’t clearly demonstrated to them that you understand the job, you can do the job, you will do the job, and you won’t be a risk to their own job if they hire you. A 360-60-90-Day Plan helps them to ‘see’ you in the job and makes them feel great about you. The first face-to-face interview is the ideal time to introduce to the hiring manager how you would attack the job in the first 90 days. It can be as simple as you want to make it, but it’s critical that you think about how you will be successful and write it down. It will result in a better interview conversation and make you stand out over other candidates.
- Practice answering interview questions. Every question is another opportunity to sell yourself for the job. Check out my How to Answer Interview Questions Series to see if you are answering interview questions the way that you need to.
- Close for the offer. Essentially, that means asking for the job–as in, “Do you see any reason I wouldn’t be successful in this position?” Many candidates have a hard time with this because it feels pushy to say. But it’s absolutely worth it—if the hiring manager has any doubts about hiring you, you can find out what they are and deal with them right there. (And asking helps them see that you really want the job.)
- Seriously consider personalized interview coaching. You can get to the heart of what’s going wrong with your interviews in a flash with a one-on-one coaching session. Maybe it’s your presentation, maybe it’s how you answer interview questions—I’d love to role play an interview situation with you. Coaching is an investment in yourself that pays off quickly by helping you break through the barriers in your own particular situation. Find out more here.