Background: Séan had a solid track record in the tech sector, having returned from Australia he was looking for a role such as Office Manager or Head of Operations. His CV and LinkedIn profile were well designed and successfully landing him interviews for appropriate positions. However, despite making it to the interview stage, he was not progressing to second interviews or receiving job offers. Feedback from hiring managers was often vague, leaving Sean bewildered and frustrated about where he was falling short.
Challenge: Séan received an interview opportunity for a role he was not only passionate about but also perfectly qualified for on paper. Realising the importance of this opportunity, he engaged a coach for interview preparation assistance.
Coaching Approach:
Session 1: Initial Assessment and Pre-Interview Strategy Susan, an experienced career coach at Onelife, conducted the first session with Séan. During the introduction call, they focused on the importance of pre-interview preparation. Susan provided Sean with several critical questions to ask the company before the interview. This included understanding the interview format, the interviewers’ backgrounds, and the key skills the company was looking for in a candidate. This strategic approach was designed to help Sean tailor his responses and presentation style to match the job role expectations.
Key Areas Addressed:
Understanding the Interview Process & Structure:
Type
of interviews (e.g., panel, one-on-one, technical, compentency, presentation).
Backgrounds and roles of the interview panel.
How many rounds of interview did the process entail
Alignment with Company Needs:
Key competencies and cultural fit to the company values.
Specific challenges and goals of the organisation that Sean could address.
Listening and Interaction: Séan had a tendency to overwhelm interviewers with information early in the conversation. Susan highlighted the importance of pacing and interaction, emphasising that candidates should focus on answering the questions asked. They worked on techniques to:
Listen actively and provide concise, relevant answers and pausing to breath.
Read the interviewers’ expressions and body language to gauge their responses.
Allow space for interviewers to delve deeper into specific topics, demonstrating his ability to engage in a thoughtful dialogue.
Building Confidence: Séan’s confidence was understandably shaken by previous rejections. To rebuild his self-assurance, Susan helped him:
Recognise and articulate his key strengths.
Understand that his qualifications and experience were the reasons he was selected for interviews.
Use Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques to access his internal resources and present himself confidently.
Mock Interviews and Practice: They conducted mock interviews to simulate real interview conditions. Sean practised asking and answering key questions aloud, refining his responses through feedback. This exercise was crucial in helping him internalise the strategies discussed and reduce his interview anxiety.
Outcome: Armed with a strategic approach and improved interview skills, Séan attended his next interview with increased confidence and a clear plan. His preparation and refined techniques paid off, as he successfully secured the role. Séan thrived in his new position, finding it to be an excellent cultural fit, which further reinforced his confidence and career satisfaction.
Conclusion: Séan’s case shows the importance of interview preparation and personalised coaching. Interviews for ideal job roles don't come around too often.
By understanding the interview context, improving interaction techniques, and boosting confidence, candidates can significantly enhance their performance and secure desired roles. Séan's success story is a testament to the importance of highly focussed career coaching and practice.
Onelife Coaching - Live the life you love!
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