How to Psych Yourself Up For the Job Interview

What to Put on Besides the Classic Suit

The classic suit is navy blue, black or grey.  It is simple, yet distinctive.  Ever notice if you have been to a job fair that everyone is all dressed alike?  It looks like a sea of clones in the same suits.

With the challenges of finding a job today, consider a little more color or pizazz to make you stand out.  I saw a women at a job fair wearing a bright and I mean bright mustard yellow dress.

She was the only one standing out.  People said she was from Los Angeles.  That explains it.  Well any extra advantage mentally sets you ahead today.  After an interviewer has seen hundreds of people in line.  They may really remember her just because of the colorful dress.  One man even wore a chicken suit.  You decide if its worth it to be traditional or stand out.

But what we MUST remember to PUT ON is the MAN or WOMAN in the suit.  Don’t leave the BEST of you at home due to fears, anxiety, looming recession talk.

Just like an actor, the SHOW MUST GO ON.  The curtain rises and its time for your performance.  But its YOU on stage.  The REAL YOU, the BEST OF YOU.  You see it every day, make sure the interviewer sees it TODAY.

First, Clear your mind of all extraneous self-talk.  Stop the comments about what if I don’t get the job.  Lets create yourself in this interview as someone powerful.

What do you bring to an interview?  I am not talking about a briefcase, portfolio, samples of prior work, references, yellow pad and pen.  These are all important.  I am talking about you personally.

Make a list of your 5 most powerful traits and visualize yourself putting them on and demonstrating them in the interview.  I am friendly and an extrovert, so I smile confidently at everyone.  Ask how their day is going?  The interviewer is human like yourself.  Ask them if they had any good interviews.  Make a joke.

I am highly creative and intuitive.  I demonstrated this in an interview by listening for what was important to the interviewer.  Her company did a lot of gift giving to potential clients.  So instead of the classic thank you after the interview I gave her a case of caffeine free diet coke because I saw one coke on her desk.  I noticed what was important to both her and her company.  I got the job by the way!!

YOU have to be FULLY PRESENT in the interview.  You know if we are unsure about if we want the job, want to make the move or so afraid of not getting it we communicate this in our body language.  You must be PRESENT in the moment in a powerful way.

Talk yourself up before you get there.  You are SELLING yourself.  What are your key selling points.  I am good at sales and have learned to sell anything.  Sell yourself UP!

I might be going for a job out of my league, well what I bring, is an excitement about the opportunity, fresh ideas, a willingness to learn, a love for people, good communication skills all these things we know are TRANSFERABLE SKILLS.

Consider a session with a coach to brush up on interview skills.  Even have yourself videotaped and get some feedback before the big day.