Let’s face it: Interviews can be a contrived power play. The interviewer has the power and you have to meet it. With a strong sense of self.
You have to be ready, steady and clear. You need to know you have substance and communicate that substance in your body, with your energy and with your words.
Many of us communicate the opposite. Our nervous energy takes over. We forget what we have to say, we’re sure that we have nothing of value to offer, we get lost in a spin of emotions that takes us out of body and out of connection with knowing our value and communicating it.
We feel threatened and it shows. We get small in body, voice and words.
Interviewing is a martial art. It takes repeated practice to stay steady and meet the opponent on your terms. Responding not reacting.
No more sugar coating in your interview prep. It’s critical that you own your power and communicate your substance with body, voice and words.
Here’s the new interview paradigm:
Get angry. Set a timer for two minutes and say out loud everything that ticks you off about the way you’ve been interviewed in the past.
Shake it off.
Get big and take up space. Walk into the center of a room and imagine that you are on stage and you get to tell the interviewer boldly and clearly why you are the best candidate for the job. Use your ticked off energy and tell them. Start by saying something totally arrogant like “you’d be crazy not to hire me.”
Then, take a breath and let out a big sigh.
Feel your feet and your legs. Can you stand in your power and look at the interviewers?
Yup, stand there and breathe. Establish your presence. Feel your substance.
Look them squarely in the eyes. Let your body say, I see you. Now say it out loud. I see you and I want to connect with you.
YOU have arrived – not the small, scared, uncertain you but the you with the capacity to meet new people and navigate capably in a new job. You have captured their attention and have made contact.
It’s time for the interview to begin.
If you’re saying to yourself, where’s the part about preparing what I say, let me offer some important points:
- People who get hired convey enthusiasm, confidence and calm
- 93% of what we communicate comes through body language, voice and breath
- Negative body language overshadows excellent interview responses
- Being in your body helps you to be clear-headed and to think on your feet
Of course what you say matters as does your ability to demonstrate you can be successful in the job and in the company culture. Both/and. Both your body confidence and your track record. Your presence and your skillset. Your ability to connect and communicate from a place of strength.
Read this blog post to learn about how to prep your answers. https://lauraparadisecoaching.com/interviews-and-speed-dating-how-to-get-a-second-date/