LIfe's Work Coach Interview Preparation Workbook

WORKBOOK INTERVIEW PREPARATION LIFE'S WORK PRESS

TABLE OF CONTENTS 03 ABOUT US 05 BE PREPARED 07 THE EMPLOYER 08 RESEARCH 09 GREAT QUESTIONS 17 TEST YOUR TECH 19 TARGET SALARY 20 REHEARSE & REFINE 21 VISUALIZE SUCCESS

ABOUT LIFE'S WORK COACH YOUR CAREER COACH ONLINE... Career Coach / Executive Coach A global leader in Talent Acquisition and People Operations, Coach Brian is a people developer and futurist. Brian’s specialty is helping high-achieving individuals integrate their professional life with their values through a strengths-based coaching methodology incorporating both tools he has been trained to use and methods he has developed throughout his career. These workbooks can be used as stand-alone resources or in combination with coaching sessions. Most will also link to an article on the website that should help you if you are working through these on your own. COACH BRIAN

LIFE'S WORK - JOB INTERVIEW PREP This is important, be prepared. Job interviews may be the most important part of the recruitment process. No matter your experience or qualifications, doing well in an interview will significantly increase the odds of you being selected for the position you want. In this workbook, we outline a process you can follow to improve your job interview performance and walk into the experience with confidence. “ ... only 2% of jobseekers get interviewed...* ” An average job posting in the US may receive 250 applications or more. Very few of them will get to the interview process and when you do it is important to be prepared and make the most of the opportunity. If you have an interview scheduled, congratulations! But before you jump on that Zoom or head over to their office take the time you need to prepare. Most of the people who get an interview are going to be similar to you in experience and you need to stand out. In the pages following you will find a number of concepts, worksheets, checklists, and ideas on how you can best present yourself in your next interview. *Tampa, Fl USA – WEBWIRE – Tuesday, January 7, 2014

BE PREPARED SUCCESS IS NEVER ACCIDENTAL STEP 1 Research The Company In today's job market, it is more important than ever to research a company before going into a job interview, you need to make sure that you are prepared. Research The Culture & Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out , it's important to do your research on a company's culture when you interview. STEP 2 Get Your Questions in Order You want to make a good impression and land the job, you also don't want to come across as desperate or unqualified. Ask great questions. STEP 3 Practice for Their Questions Write out your answer to the most common questions and mentally prepare answers for the rest. This, alone, can make the difference.

BE PREPARED SUCCESS IS NEVER ACCIDENTAL STEP 4 Test Zoom/Drive By Make sure you know where you are going, digitally or otherwise, and that you have a Plan A and Plan B to get there on time and well presented. STEP 5 Write Down Your Salary Expectations Get online and find out what the industry is offering right now. Look at other job ads with the same job title online. Set your target salary. STEP 6 Rehearse/Refine Your Answers Practice out loud and with others. Be ready to discuss what makes you special: education, experience, certifications, etc... STEP 7 Get Centered Once prepared focus on your success and mentally prepare for Visualization can be the key to confidence. your interview.

THE EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVE Employers are looking for people who fit their organization and can do the work. It is no surprise, then, that most interviews are trying to get an answer to the question “Why should we hire you?” The key areas you should concentrate your efforts around, then, are in service to answering the question above: Can you do the work? - go into greater depth than what they see on your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile. Will you be successful? - show them how you can deliver results for the company/organization and how you have done it before. Why this company? - what is your reasoning and rationale for choosing this company and is it authentic? (This has to do with, will you stay here?) Do you fit? - explain how you work and grow within organizations and fit into the overall culture of the organization. People work better with people they like and companies they respect. YOUR JOB IN THE INTERVIEW PROCESS IS TO UNDERSTAND THE AREAS ABOVE AND GET TO YOUR OWN ANSWERS AS YOU ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS. WHEN AN INTERVIEW IS A TWO-WAY CONVERSATION IT WILL BE A MUCH BETTER EXPERIENCE AND HELP YOU FIND A JOB YOU LOVE.

1 RESEARCH THE COMPANY & CULTURE In today's job market, it is more important than ever to research a company before going into a job interview. With so many qualified candidates vying for the same position, you need to make sure that you are prepared. Start with the company website. This is a great resource for getting an overview of what the company does, their mission and values, and their overall culture. Be sure to take some time to read through the About Us page and any other relevant pages on the site. Check out social media. Social media is another great way to learn about a company. Following a company on social media is a great way to get a feel for Check out Glassdoor. Glassdoor can be a great resource for information and ratings from existing and former employees. Search for news articles. A quick Google search for any recent news articles or press releases. This is a great way to stay up-to-date on what the company is doing and any major changes or developments within the organization. Talk to current or former employees. If you know someone who currently works for or has previously worked for the company, be sure to reach out and ask them about their experience. They can give you insights into what it's really like to work there, which can be helpful in deciding whether or not the company is right for you. SUCCESS IS NEVER ACCIDENTAL

2 5 GREAT QUESTIONS TO ASK In today's job market you want to make a good impression, to do that, you need to ask the right questions. Here are five great questions to ask in your next interview: 1. What does a typical day look like in this role? Asking this question will give you a better sense of what the job entails and whether it's a good fit for you. It also shows that you're interested in the position and have done your research. 2. What are the company's core values? This question will help you gauge whether or not you align with the company's values. It's important to work somewhere that shares your values so that you can be happy and fulfilled in your career. 3. What are the biggest challenges facing the company right now? This question shows that you're interested in the company's success and are looking for ways to help them overcome challenges. It also helps you get a better understanding of the company's current situation and what they're working on. 4. What are some of the projects I will be working on if I get the job? This question shows that you're eager to get started and contribute to the company. It also helps you get a better sense of what the job would entail and whether or not it interests you. 5. Do you have any concerns about my qualifications for the job? This is a bold question, but it's important to address any concerns the interviewer may have about your qualifications. This way, you can put their mind at ease and show them that you're confident in your ability to do the job well. SUCCESS IS NEVER ACCIDENTAL

3 PRACTICE FOR THEIR QUESTIONS How to Answer the Most Common Interview Questions The interview process can be daunting, but preparation and practice can go a long way. In this blog post, we will go over some of the most common interview questions and provide tips on how to answer them. Question 1: "Tell me about yourself." This is often one of the first questions you will be asked in an interview. It may seem like a simple question, but it can be difficult to know where to start. The key is to keep your answer brief and focus on highlighting your professional accomplishments and skills. You can also use this opportunity to share your motivation for pursuing the role you are interviewing for. Question 2: "What are your strengths?" This is another common question that is designed to get to know you better as a professional. When answering this question, try to focus on qualities that are relevant to the role you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a sales position, you might say that one of your strengths is your ability to build relationships with customers. (...) SUCCESS IS NEVER ACCIDENTAL

3 PRACTICE FOR THEIR QUESTIONS How to Answer the Most Common Interview Questions Continued... Question 3: "What are your weaknesses?" This question can be tricky because you don't want to share a weakness that would make you unqualified for the job. However, you also don't want to come across as arrogant by saying you don't have any weaknesses. A good approach is to identify a weakness that is not essential for the role and share what steps you are taking to improve upon it. For example, if you are applying for a customer service role, you might say that one of your weaknesses is patience but that you have been working on it by counting to 10 before responding to difficult customer inquiries. Conclusion: Answering common interview questions doesn't have to be difficult. With a little preparation, you can confidently answer any question that comes your way. Remember to keep your answers brief and focus on highlighting your professional accomplishments and skills. And when answering questions about weaknesses, try to identify qualities that are not essential for the role and share what steps you are taking to improve upon them. Good luck! (...) SUCCESS IS NEVER ACCIDENTAL

3 Your Turn WRITE YOUR ANSWERS Question 1: "Tell me about yourself." Start by branding yourself: (Create a one-sentence elevator pitch that can get you started: "I'm a global team leader with experience building high performing teams.") Highlight your professional accomplishments: 1. 2. 3. Talk about your skills: 1. 2. 3. Share your motivation/values: End with a question: (Do I sound like the kind of person you need for this role?, Did I leave anything out?, How do you think a person like me fits into your current team?) PRACTICE OUT LOUD WITH A FRIEND

3 Your Turn WRITE YOUR ANSWERS Question 2: "What are your strengths?" Start with the Job Description: (Choose three of the responsibilities from the job description and turn them into strength statements.) Team developer One of the strengths I am most proud of is developing people. In my last role I was able to promote 3 of my team leads to manager roles in under three years... End with a question: (Which of those will be most important here? How do you think a person like me fits into your current team?) PRACTICE OUT LOUD WITH A FRIEND

3 Your Turn WRITE YOUR ANSWERS Question 3: "What are your weaknesses?" List three areas where you could improve that are not essential to the job you are targeting and what you do to overcome them. Describe what you can do to develop in that area. 1. 2. 3. PRACTICE OUT LOUD WITH A FRIEND

3 PRACTICE FOR THEIR QUESTIONS Interview Questions You Can Prepare to Answer: Why was there a gap in your employment? Why should we hire you? Why do you want to work at this company? Why do you want this job? Why are you leaving your current job? Where do you see yourself in five years? When can you start? What’s your work style? What’s your management style? What’s your current salary? What’s a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at work? What type of work environment do you prefer? What motivates you? What is your greatest professional achievement? What do you think we could do better or differently? What do you like to do outside of work? What can you bring to the company? What are your salary expectations? What are your career aspirations? What are you passionate about? What are you looking for in a new position? Walk me through your resume. (...) SUCCESS IS NEVER ACCIDENTAL

3 PRACTICE FOR THEIR QUESTIONS Interview Questions You Can Prepare to Answer: Continued: Tell me about a time you made a mistake. Tell me about a time you failed. Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership skills. Tell me about a conflict you’ve faced at work, how you dealt with it. Is there anything else you’d like us to know? How would your boss and coworkers describe you? How do you stay organized? How do you prioritize your work? How do you plan to achieve your career goals? How do you like to be managed? How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? Do you have any questions for us? Can you explain why you changed career paths? Are you willing to relocate? SUCCESS IS NEVER ACCIDENTAL

TEST YOUR TECH STEP 4 Video Interview Tips: More and more employers are conducting interviews via video. Nailing a video interview is very similar to an in-person interview - with a few key exceptions. Here are some tips to help you ace your next zoom interview. Dress the Part Even though your interviewer will only see you from the waist up, it's important to dress professionally from head to toe. First impressions matter, and you want your interviewer to see you as a competent professional - not someone who just rolled out of bed. Create a Professional Backdrop Your interviewer will also be able to see what's behind you during the call, so it's important to create a professional backdrop. This means no personal photos, no dirty laundry, and no chaotic patterns that will distract from what you're saying. A blank wall or bookcase is always a safe bet. Be mindful of your body language In person, 55% of communication is through body language. This number goes down to 38% over video, but body language is still an important part of how we communicate. Be sure to sit up straight, make eye contact with the camera (not the screen), and use hand gestures when appropriate. Take time to run a test call with a friend Make sure your mic & camera are working and that you look and sound good. Give yourself a little extra time the day of the call in case you need to re-configure your setup.

CHECK YOUR DIRECTIONS STEP 4 Maps are Not Enough getting to your interview 15 minutes ahead of time may take more than Waze and luck. Put a little effort into a dry run to make sure you know where you are going and do not end up in front of the wrong office on the other side of town. It happens. Drive the Route Even though your interviewer will only see you from the waist up, it's important to dress Make the Trip Your interviewer will also be able to see what's behind you during the call, so it's impe is always a safe bet. Bring an Umbrella Or a coat, and a bottle of water, a phone charger, etc...

STEP 5 SALARY EXPECTATIONS AND RESEARCH Research The Employer Start by researching your prospective employer. Sites like Glassdoor or Fishbowl can give a glimpse into what it’s like to work at most organizations, including salaries for various roles, benefits, and culture. Some examples of salary tools include Glassdoor’s Know Your Worth, Salary Wizard, Payscale’s What Am I Worth, and LinkedIn Salary and Salary.com. These are often more broad in nature but can give additional insight into whether your salary offer is competitive. Calculate Your Target Salary Step 1. Look at your bank account, credit card statements, and bills to calculate your average monthly costs. Step 2. Take your monthly expenses and double them. Step 3. Add 20% to this number. Write that down as your target salary. How does that feel? Is it lower than you are making now, the same? Is it a bit higher but not what you think it should be? Well, the good news is it is your target and can be adjusted, the goal of the exercise is to base your target salary on your actual situation and negotiate to get as close to that number as possible. Tip: Don’t provide a range, just your target so you are sure the lowest number you provide is still an amount you feel is fair. Your target salary is just a number, not a range, and it does not have anything to do with your current role. It has everything to do with your own motivation to change roles and your suitability for which you are interviewing. Own it. Be humble, but own it.

STEP 6 REHEARSE AND REFINE Practice interviews are a great way to boost your confidence and increase your chances of impressing a potential employer in a real-life situation. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your mock interview experience. Do your research. Before you even step into the room for your mock interview, it is important that you do your research on the company, the position you are interviewing for, and the industry as a whole. Practice, practice, practice. You should start practicing answering common interview questions out loud, in front of a mirror or with a friend beforehand so that you can get used to speaking confidently about yourself and your qualifications. Be aware of your body language. Your body language speaks volumes, even if you don’t realize it. Make sure that you are aware of your posture, hand gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions throughout the practice interview so that you can avoid any negative cues that could make you seem nervous or uninterested. Remember to smile! Take note of feedback and areas for improvement. After the practice interview is over, take some time to reflect on what went well and what areas need improvement. These are things that can be worked on before your real interview so that you can go into it with confidence knowing that you have already addressed any potential areas of weakness. By following these tips, you can make the most out of your practice interview experience and enter into your real job interview with confidence knowing that you have already addressed any potential areas of weakness.

STEP 7 GET CENTERED A job interview can be a daunting experience, but proper preparation can help ease some of the anxiety that comes with it. By doing your research, knowing your strengths, practicing your answers, and visualizing success, you'll be in a much better position to make a great impression and land the job you want. Visualize Your Success YOU ARE PREPARED Before the interview, take a few minutes to close your eyes and visualize yourself nailing every question and impressing the interviewer with your knowledge and confidence. This positive visualization will help increase your confidence and reduce any nerves on the day of the interview. If you have made it this far you are better prepared than most people to make a good impression and you have a great chance to stand out in your interview. Now be yourself, be authentic, and find out if they are the kind of people you want to work with for the next few years.

YOU GOT THIS! Negotiating at the offer stage can feel challenging and most employers expect it so do your research and prepare for a conversation that will make your life a little better. Click on the article below and turn a good offer into a great offer!

YOUR NEXT STEP LET'S TALK How much would it help to sit across from an expert at career planning and talent acquisition? To have an honest chat about where you are and what you need to change to meet your potential? For a short time, I’m offering that opportunity...without charge. That’s right, with my Career Coaching Call, you have the chance to work with me one on one, absolutely free. Click now to schedule, you are worth it. FREE CAREER CALL

LIfe's Work Coach Interview Preparation Workbook