Interview Prep: Cultivating My Inner "Neo"
The first big interview is tomorrow, and I am starting to feel pretty nervous. It's the one with the presentation too. I will be devoting my day to preparing for it.
I think the first step is to chill...and to believe in my inherent awesomeness. That can be a slippery slope, but I fully believe in the utility of knowing you are good at what you do...without coming across as cocky.
That self-belief has a positive effect on others' perception of you, so why not choose to believe you're good, even if you're unsure? "Faking it" can even generate actual belief, which can even affect your actual competence in positive ways, and vice versa.
In my case, I really do believe I'm good. But I can second guess myself...and even third fourth and fifth guess...to the point where I start to question my abilities. This self-doubt creeps into my behaviors and body language, which people do pick up on, unconsciously and otherwise.
So I will be great tomorrow.
And I will be me. That is another important part of believing in your awesomeness...allowing yourself to be you, not some awesomeness ideal you think you aught to be. Being genuine in that regard, being authentic, is another key that can win people over.
One final key I think is important is allowing yourself to have fun and enjoy the process. Why not have fun? Maintain professionalism, of course, but enjoy the experience. This transmits confidence, competence, and a passion for what you are doing. The hiring committee is hiring a colleague...someone they will be spending a lot of time with. They want to hire someone who they will enjoy working with...someone who will contribute to a positive and fun working environment.
Actually, there is yet another thing I think is important: allowing the interview to become a conversation instead of an interrogation. They best interviews I've been involved with, on both sides of the interview table, have been the ones where people start to relax and talk with, not to or at, the interviewee.
In the end I will present myself as myself. I will know I am good at what I do. They will either feel who I am fits their social environment and what they are looking for in a candidate...or they will not. The latter I can not control...the former I can and will.
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Blog Post Typo Tally: 3
I think the first step is to chill...and to believe in my inherent awesomeness. That can be a slippery slope, but I fully believe in the utility of knowing you are good at what you do...without coming across as cocky.
That self-belief has a positive effect on others' perception of you, so why not choose to believe you're good, even if you're unsure? "Faking it" can even generate actual belief, which can even affect your actual competence in positive ways, and vice versa.
In my case, I really do believe I'm good. But I can second guess myself...and even third fourth and fifth guess...to the point where I start to question my abilities. This self-doubt creeps into my behaviors and body language, which people do pick up on, unconsciously and otherwise.
So I will be great tomorrow.
And I will be me. That is another important part of believing in your awesomeness...allowing yourself to be you, not some awesomeness ideal you think you aught to be. Being genuine in that regard, being authentic, is another key that can win people over.
One final key I think is important is allowing yourself to have fun and enjoy the process. Why not have fun? Maintain professionalism, of course, but enjoy the experience. This transmits confidence, competence, and a passion for what you are doing. The hiring committee is hiring a colleague...someone they will be spending a lot of time with. They want to hire someone who they will enjoy working with...someone who will contribute to a positive and fun working environment.
Actually, there is yet another thing I think is important: allowing the interview to become a conversation instead of an interrogation. They best interviews I've been involved with, on both sides of the interview table, have been the ones where people start to relax and talk with, not to or at, the interviewee.
In the end I will present myself as myself. I will know I am good at what I do. They will either feel who I am fits their social environment and what they are looking for in a candidate...or they will not. The latter I can not control...the former I can and will.
__ __
Blog Post Typo Tally: 3
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