5 lessons I learned from interviewing people
When I decided to become a full-time life coach and career coach in Denver, I did what a lot of people do - I made the choice to leave my safe and comfy corporate job.
And because I was really, really good at what I did, they asked me to help choose my replacement.
We interviewed 7 people. Three of them got second interviews. One of them got the job.
And here’s what I learned:
Lesson one: Be a real human
No one wants to work with a robot or someone who tries hard to look perfect.
And let’s be honest, people can sniff out someone who sits on a throne of lies (they smell like beef and cheese).
Feeling nervous? Say, “I’m a little nervous but I’m so excited to be here, talking to you.” You’re allowed to be a human person. It shows you care. And most people find it charming! (Also, don’t apologize for being nervous. THAT looks insecure).
Feel like you’re talking too much? Say, “I talk a lot when I’m excited. Feel free to interrupt me.”
Feel surprised by a question? Say, “No one has ever asked me that before.” or “What a great question. Let me think about that for a second.” Not only does this make the interviewer feel like they did a good job, but those statements buy you a few extra seconds to think about your answer.
Lesson two: Be enthusiastic
We had remarkable candidates with amazing qualifications. I’m sure any of them would have done the job and done it well.
The candidates who got second interviews were really enthusiastic about the position. They were excited to apply. They were excited to be interviewed. They were excited to do the job.
And their excitement made us excited - about THEM.
In the end, we were really torn between two candidates. Both of them described the position as a “Dream Job.” The fact they were the top two contenders was not a coincidence.
If you’re excited about a position - Show it. Say it. Let your enthusiasm shine through.
Lesson three: Understand the position
Hiring someone is all about fit. Who can do the job? Who will love the job? Who will be the best fit personality-wise?
My role involved two primary duties: writing and training.
But the actual training delivery was relatively minimal. I’d only deliver sessions a few times each month.
Writing was the bulk of my position: Writing articles, writing emails, writing trainings.
Going back to the top two candidates, one of them was passionate about training. The person listed all the training topics they could develop and deliver for the team and talked about how much they loved trainings. They liked writing too but they were LIT UP about training.
The other candidate was passionate about writing.
That person got the job.
If you really love one thing about a role, but it’s not the primary part of the role - the interviewers might think you won’t love the job. They might think you’re not a good fit.
Think of the job like a meal. Know what you’re ordering. You don’t need to love the weird puree thing they put on the side. But you should love the bulk of the entree, not just the dessert.
And the more you understand what’s being served, the better equipped you’ll be to address each and every bite - From the appetizer to the cheese tray.
Employers want someone who will clear their plate and ask for more. (This is kind of a weird metaphor but I own it).
Lesson four: Be ready to share your work
When you understand the position well, you can show up prepared.
Employers want to know you can do the job. And one of the best ways to do this is to share your relevant accomplishments.
People applying for my role were asked to share writing samples and short videos explaining a concept.
Depending on the position you’re applying for, this might look like concrete metrics (“I improved our company’s sales by 1 billion percent! And this is how I did it!”).
Or maybe it will look like an example (“I ran into this exact situation in my current role. This is how I handled it…”)
You want to show the potential employer you’re ready to hit the ground running without a lot of onboarding.
Think about how you can showcase your accomplishments prior to the interview and get ready to brag.
Lesson five: Know it’s not always about you
The last two times I participated in a hiring process, the candidate pool was extremely competitive.
So the decisions came down to the details.
A unique skill that would help the team
A slightly better understanding of the position
An openness to feedback and growth
A desire to explore everything the position had to offer, rather than using it as a stepping stone to something “better”
A genuine enthusiasm for the work and the people
An endorsement from a trusted someone
If you’re not offered a position, don’t make it mean something about you.
Another candidate had one tiny quality that meant they were a slightly better fit.
Not getting an offer is disappointing. It can feel horrible.
But don’t make it mean anything about your worth, your value, your prospects.
There’s an employer out there who wants you. Today. Keep showing up. People need you.
If you want to make a career change, I want to help. Click below to connect with me.
Hi! I’m Erica
Wife to Brendan. Mom to twins + one. Dog mom. Slow runner. Coffee drinker. GIF enthusiast.
I’m a licensed mental health therapist and life coach and career coach. I help you reboot your career so you can stop dreading Mondays.
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