Do you get anxious when you need to make the right impression in a job interview? Or, maybe you find it hard to make good connections while networking? Don’t worry, with the right strategies and techniques, you can successfully tackle any job interview or networking event. Mastering “the art” of job interviews and networking will help to boost your confidence, as well as your interview success rate. Here’s how to get started.
1. Prepare and Perfect Your Pitch
When you’re ready to step up to the plate and make a lasting impression with your pitch, it’s important to have a plan in place. Here’s some tips on how to stand out from the competition.
Plan ahead
- Determine the main message of what you want to say
- Think of the key points you want to focus on
- Outline the main points in a logical order
Research & Rehearse
- Gather pertinent case studies or data to back up your points
- Consider the questions you may be asked and prepare appropriate answers
- Practice with a friend or colleague to gain feedback
Leave Nothing to Chance
When you’re ready to deliver, don’t forget to double-check a few key things:
- Time expectancy – Know exactly how long you’ve been asked to present for and be mindful of it
- Balance of information – Make sure you’ve included all vital areas, such as the benefits, costs and risks
- Media options – If you’re presenting with visual aids, check they’re working properly
With a bit of preparation and polishing, your presentation will seem as professional as it can be and you’ll feel much more confident and comfortable.
2. Master the Art of Professional Networking
Connecting with other professionals is an invaluable asset in business, and mastering this art connects you with inspiring minds, expands your job opportunities, builds your reputation as a true professional, and helps you gain a competitive edge.
- Do Your Research: Take the time to go beyond the online resources and make sure to do your research on the person you are connecting with. Determine what interests and experiences they have, and how you might be able to help them.
- Build Rapport: Make a point to attend meetups, networking events, and conferences. The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll grow your network. Make use of social media – connect with people on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
- Be Genuine: Interruptions during conversations are common, so don’t just accept them, instead make sure to continue the conversation and be genuine with your conversations. Speak authentically, ask questions that allow you to gain an understanding of the person you are speaking with.
- Follow-Up: After connecting, never forget to follow up and send a thank you email. Especially if you’re looking for a job, you must follow up to stay in the loop. Being proactive and showing enthusiasm can go a long way.
Whether you’re in the business world, academia, or an aspiring entrepreneur, professional networking is a crucial tool for success. Done well, networking provides a range of opportunities to learn, share, and grow. In 2019, make sure to and see your career fly.
3. Showcase Your Skills and Abilities
- Believe it or not, showcasing your skills and abilities is more than just a list of job experiences and achievements.
- It encompasses a combination of different elements such as your work history, educational background, and professional accomplishments.
- It’s important to emphasize the different facets of your abilities and skills if you want to make it to the next step in your career.
One way to do this is to think of storytelling. What makes a compelling story? What plot points can you add to highlight key successes in your job?
- Your story should be forged from a combination of hard evidence, details, opinions, and a bit of uniqueness.
- What makes you special? Does it show in the quality of your work? Pride in your past accomplishments?
Incorporating these elements into your skills and abilities showcase will make your story that much more engaging and memorable. Think of things like projects you’ve accomplished, how you handled past challenges, and the results of your efforts.
Also, don’t forget to showcase the skills that are in demand in your specific field. If you’ve taken any classes or performed any volunteer work that will be relevant to your career field, don’t be afraid to add it in! It will help increase your value on the job market.
Finally, take the time to articulate and emphasize all your skills and abilities. Make sure to include relevant keywords and phrases you’ve come across in job postings. This will help make your skills and abilities stand out from other applicants.
4. Ace the Interview and Get That Job!
When it comes to your job interview, preparation is key. Taking simple steps before the interview can help you ace the interview and get that job. Here are the four things you should do to ace your next job interview:
- Research the company. Learn as much as you can about the company’s mission, goals, industry, and position. Being knowledgeable about the company shows your enthusiasm and investment in the job. Make sure to review their website, social handles, recent news, and their competitors. Doing research will also help you to prepare thoughtful questions for the interview.
- Prepare answers. Anticipate common questions and think about your answers in advance. This will help you to be confident while answering, as well as make sure that your answers are well thought out. Preparing your responses also helps ensure that you are conveying information in the best possible way and you won’t forget to mention any important experiences or accomplishments.
- Be flexible. There may be times in the interview where you are asked unexpected questions or have to respond to scenarios. You want to have a flexible and creative mindset while answering questions, to best demonstrate your talents and skills.
- Listen Proactively. An interview is a dialogue, not a monologue. Listen actively to the interviewer, show interest in their questions by asking for clarification and elaboration, and pay attention to the entire conversation. This will show the interviewer that you were truly engaged in the conversation and will help them to get to know you better.
By taking these simple steps, you can be prepared for your interview. Acing the interview and getting the job depends on being confident, listening proactively, being flexible, and doing your research. Showing genuine enthusiasm and engagement with the company during the interview is a surefire way to impress the interviewer and land the job.
If you want to master the art of job interviewing and networking, take the time to practice and hone your skills. With the right approach and these tips, you’ll be prepared and confident for any opportunity that comes your way. Good luck, and may your interview success know no bounds!
