Top 3 Interview Mistakes (and what to do instead)
I’ve conducted over 2,000 job interviews and have coached over 800 people to take interviews.
Here are the 3 mistakes I see most commonly at interview and what to do instead.
Mistake #1: Thinking, “I can make up on the spot why I am motivated for this role and organisation.”
I’ve only met a handful of people out of 1000’s who were able to do this.
Getting clear on your motivation for a role takes some thinking and preparation.
Really think about your motivation for the role and company and find a unique angle on it by sharing a bit about you, your background, interests and how you think you can add value.
What not to do:
“I’m drawn to CBA’s purpose – to build a brighter future for all and their strategy to build tomorrow’s bank today. I would enjoy working with departments and teams, to encourage cross collaboration and resolving issues. I’ve heard good things about the culture in this department.”
“This is my dream job. The position of practice manager at a wildlife hospital is something I am highly motivated and passionate to do. I have many readily transferable skills. Working as a volunteer at the hospital since February in Admissions and as a driver I know that I align with the values around animal welfare and their ethical treatment.
Do this instead:
Motivation for role: Senior Agile Coach, CBA
My purpose aligns very well with CBA’s guiding purpose – to build a brighter future for all and their strategy to ‘build tomorrow’s bank today’. I know from my previous Banking experience that these are lived up to - it seemed we were always trying to ‘catch up’ to CBA’s innovation and customer focus.
I enjoy working with departments and teams to encourage cross-collaboration. I excel at encouraging value to be delivered at a greater speed by promoting an understanding of systems, the flow of value through these and resolving systemic impediments. I do this whilst encouraging an Agile growth mindset.
Above all, the opportunity to shape the culture within the organisation aligns with my purpose to help people enjoy their work, not just go to work!
Motivation for role: Practice Manager, wildlife rescue animal shelter
This is my dream job. I'm passionate about native wildlife. Since I was X I had a high interest in X, Y and Z.
I've reviewed closely the job description for Practice Manager at the shelter. I have many readily transferable skills which would benefit the shelter.
I bring business acumen, organisational, interpersonal and leadership skills and believe I can bring X (e.g. a stable and collaborative leadership presence).
Working in admissions as a volunteer at the shelter since February, as a driver, and in the Raptor Centre has provided me with an insight into the organisation and culture. I'm really impressed with A, B and C.
I see how hard everyone works and saw a couple of opportunities for improvement. With the OK from A and B, I have initiated: project 1, which has achieved X; process change, which is saving Tim 1 hour a day; and been thanked by A, B and C.
I would love the opportunity to contribute even more
Both clients received job offers.
Mistake #2: Not enough detail in your replies.
You need to provide lots of detail around the actions you took in your examples.
Why? The theory is that your previous behaviour predicts your future behaviour, so you are building up more credibility and trust with your interviewer if you break down your thinking and the steps that you take in a scenario.
What not to do:
While working as a carer and patient advocate under NDIS last year, I was part of a multi-disciplinary team to improve the quality of life of my client, who has an acquired brain injury. I organized sessions with the other departments. Over many months her speech and swallowing improved.
Do this instead:
While working as a carer and patient advocate under NDIS last year, I worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team to improve the quality of life of my client, who has an acquired brain injury. I organised sessions with a physiotherapist, neurologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist and neurological gym. Her case manager was kept abreast of all arrangements. I attended these sessions with my client, advocating on her behalf to improve her speech, range of motion, swallowing capacity and to manage her frequent seizures.
Over many months of daily exercises and practice, her speech and swallowing improved. Weekly yoga sessions at her house helped to increase her range of motion and to mitigate stress.
She thanked me for all the listening, support and organising with other departments.
Mistake #3: Not being yourself at interview
Be you.
Here are 3 examples of owning YOU at interview:
- “I am strong at presenting and coaching. However, in an interview context I will appear more introverted as I’m talking largely about myself.”
- “I’ll take 20 - 30 seconds before answering the competency questions as I have 2 thinking strengths, so I’m filtering through 3 or more examples to think of the best one.”
- “I have the relator strengths and form genuine relationships with others. I tend to be on the slower side to share personal information, but once people do get to know me, I build a lot of trust and produce great outcomes.”
Want feedback on your preparation? Email me with the subject ‘Interview prep’ and I’ll send you 3 support options to choose from.
Best wishes,
Nikki
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