QUESTION: Dear Amy - I want to make a career change but I am really intimidated by the prospect of interviewing. What advice do you have? From: Cindy N.

ANSWER: Cindy, you are not alone. Many of my clients want to make a career change but feel anxiety about interviewing. And it's no wonder: you're expected to 1) deliver the sum of your professional and life experience in succinct, relevant anecdotes, 2) explain why you're qualified to do a job you may have never done before and 3) act calm, cool, and collected while doing it.

The secret to a successful interview is preparation. Henry Kissinger, Richard Nixon's Secretary of State, began his press conferences by saying, "Who has questions for my answers?" Almost regardless of what queries came his way, he knew what he was going to say. Imagine feeling that confident walking into a job interview. Fortunately, you won't be facing a hostile press corps, and while you may not be able to anticipate every question that may come your way in an interview, here are two you can count on:

1. "Tell Me About Yourself."
Almost all interviews start with this deceptively simple question. You absolutely need to be ready to answer it effectively and succinctly. Start with a general statement about your work experience and education (one or two sentences). Next, summarize the skills and knowledge you have that are relevant to the job (one or two sentences). Finish with an explanation of exactly why you are at the interview—that is, your motivation for applying (relocation, career transition, opportunity for growth, a long-term desire to work for the organization, etc.). The complete story should take roughly two minutes or less. If done well, your answer will successfully lay the groundwork for the rest of the interview.

2. "Do you have any questions for me?"
Nearly all interviews end with this one, and your answer should always be, "Yes." Good standbys include asking about the company culture, the department’s management style, the career path for your position, the future of the company, and what an average day in the position might include. But the best questions are based on topics that came up during the interview such as a program or initiative that the interviewer mentioned; these will demonstrate your interest and good listening skills.

And here are two tips for what to do before you show up at the interview.

Do your homework..
Research is key. Spend some time on the company’s website reading about their mission, vision and values. Find recent press releases to learn about the organization’s recent developments and announcements. Try to gain insight into the department you're hoping to join: what do they offer, how is the team structured, are you replacing a departing member or are they creating a new position? You'll be better equipped to demonstrate your knowledge of the employer and the industry during the interview. (You'll also avoid asking obvious questions.)

Practice makes perfect.
Practicing will give you confidence and will shake that nervous twitter out of your voice. When it comes time for the actual interview, you won't be answering the questions for the fist time! Ask a friend or family member to interview you. Prepare questions in advance for them to ask and then spend 30 minutes pretending to be at the interview. Ask for their feedback after the session and revisit challenging questions until you have your answers down. Of course, you won't know exactly which questions you'll face at the real interview, but preparation and practice will provide you with a better sense of what might be asked and will arm you with an arsenal of relevant, well thought-out answers. And I guarantee that you’ll feel more confident than before, which has a real impact on interview success.

Quick Tips About: Interviews
Plan your outfit in advance
Arrive early, with lots of time to park, use the restroom and check in at least 10 minutes before the designated interview time
Run cold water on the inside of your wrists if your palms are sweaty
Breath between your answers
Always send a hand written thank you note after the interview!

Click here to ASK AMY a question.

Amy is offering workshops on specific career topics this spring. For more information visit: www.heartatwork.biz.

Saturday Workshop Series
Effective Resumes: Saturday, April 19
Job Search Strategy: Saturday, April 26
Advanced Interviewing: Saturday, May 3
Informational Interviewing: Saturday, May 10

Time: 10 - 11:30 am
Place: Heart at Work, Yarmouth
Cost: $30 for each workshop, $100 for series of four
Register: Contact Amy Jaffe at 846-0644 or amy@heartatwork.biz

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