If you are in career transition.... Please don't make this critical interviewing error!

One of the biggest mistakes that someone in career transition can make in an interview is to position themselves as a “Jack of All Trades.” Candidates will often go to great lengths to show how gifted or how comfortable they are in many different functional areas within a company. They often assume that they are sealing the deal on a great sales presentation as they display their flexibility and diverse prowess. In reality, they are likely coming across as unfocused and possibly desperate to secure a new position.  Even in small organizations, “Jack of all Trades” positions are extremely rare nowadays, so don’t get caught using a strategy that was not even that effective 10 years ago.

Your Passion and what Excites you is what should be coming across in an interview.  (no matter how niche it may be in reality) Allow your expertise and your true passion to jump out at the interviewer.  Assuming that the person is interviewing you for a job that is remotely appropriate, it is essential to clearly communicate what you are specifically looking for in your next opportunity and how it is line with your overall career objectives. Candidates who use this approach may feel that they risk losing the opportunity altogether, but when self-awareness and passion is presented, it is extremely powerful in any meeting. You are better off showing who you are and stay on a path to find what you truly desire, than settling for something because it is a quick pay check. When an interviewer sees passion and excitement, it is not uncommon for them to immediately become an advocate for someone and could possibly open up their network for a potential position that would be a better fit for the candidate. 

Renown branding expert Donald Miller often speaks about the keys to public speaking being:

1.  State your intent
2.  Communicate the obstacle
3.  State the plan that you propose to overcome the obstacle
4.  Describe the imagery when achieving that objective

This process can also be used when presenting yourself in an interview.

 1. State your intent – Indicate what you are trying to accomplish in your career and what you are looking for in your next position.

2. Communicate the obstacle.  This is where you outline what the company is looking for from the advertised position in order for them to achieve their overall mandate. (Hopefully you have conducted some decent due diligence which will further substantiate your presentation)

3. State the plan – Outline your abilities and your success in similar positions/predicaments that showcase your ability to increase the interviewers confidence in you and your ability to help their business.

4. Describe the ideal scenario for the company and what it could look like if you were able to step in to the role and solve/prevent issues for the organization.

Practice this approach on your own and then practice it in your interviews and meetings. You will likely be quite surprised by the clarity that you achieve from within, as well as by the warm reception that you will most likely receive in your next interview.

Farewell,

Mike