Alchemize with Lauren

3 steps: Resume. Interview. Job!!

We go over your notes, pages of job descriptions, evaluations and review some past resumes. We probably discuss every aspect of your career, promotions, job-hopping, your industry, office politics, and creating better opportunities. We build a resume. Word for word. Line by line. Meticulous editing to get just the right words to create a summary of your entire work history down to a page (or maybe two – but that’s a different subject!).

Then suddenly – as if the purpose of the resume is entirely forgotten – I get “the call”. The one where someone has responded to a posting on a website, or a classified advertisement in the newspaper. Someone has contacted them and is inviting them to come into their office for an interview. “What are they looking for?” “How can I best impress them?” “What should I wear?” “How can I increase my odds for getting the position?” “This is my first interview in 5-10-15 (pick one) years!” “What do I do NOW?”

Calm down. Isn’t this what you were looking to have happen when you created the resume in the first place? Scary? Sure. It can be. Especially if that interviewer is hoping you can come in the next day – and that does happen. First step: turn the panic and anxiety into a healthy, determined sense of purpose and focus.

Make/confirm the appointment. Review the job description of the position. Go to the company’s website and learn (again) all about them, their history, their goals and their stature in the industry. Think about what you want to know about them so that you’ll be prepared when they ask. Go over (and over again!) why you applied for this job. Is this a company where you can picture yourself (happily!) working? Is the position actually something that really appeals to you? Or maybe you’re not sure; you need more information (and remember, that’s okay, too). This too, is their time to sell YOU on why they want you to work for them.

Remember many aspects of this process are 100% within your control. Some of these include:

  • Arriving on time
  • Being clean and well groomed
  • Dressing “appropriately” for the occasion
  • Don’t overdo the fragrance
  • Presenting yourself confidently and professionally

There could be many potential prospects for this job. What is going to make you shine and be the memorable candidate? The one they hope takes the job after it is offered? They are looking to hire a “team member” – one who will fit in well within the organization. Hiring can be quite expensive for them and the wrong hire is an even costlier one. Your job during the interview is to show the Human Resources person WHY they should bring YOU in for the next round of interviews. Why YOU should make the cut to the next level. And if you are meeting directly with the person who has the ultimate hiring decision to make, they should feel when you leave that they hope YOU will accept the position. That you are JUST what they are looking for! Skills alone are NOT the answer. Your energy, enthusiasm, ambition, integrity, attention to detail and personality is what they are ultimately buying.

Lauren Castle is the owner of Impress Express, a professional image firm, focusing on career development, resume preparation, presentation skills, etiquette and interview coaching. We are members of the Professional Association of Resume Writers. For help with your image, posting your resume, or preparing your internet-friendly resume, contact Lauren directly at 858-459-7400. And, as always, please forward your image and career-related questions to info@impress-express.com for further information.