Why Me?

After a job interview, I nearly always walk out of the building thinking, “Gee, I should teach a course on the secrets of a successful job interview.” When I told my husband about my idea, he challenged my qualifications. I couldn’t think of a better answer than, “Well, I almost always get a job offer after I’ve had the chance to interview.” I need to admit though: I’m attempting to be modest and offer myself a bit of leeway when it comes to “almost always.” I really can’t think of a time when I haven’t had a job offer after a round or two of job interviews. If I’m fortunate enough to get an offer to interview, I’m pretty much guaranteed a job offer eventually.

My interviewing experience has ranged from white collar jobs to service industry jobs. In the past 14 years, I’ve interviewed for a variety of job positions:

• Library clerk
• Waitress
• Call center specialist
• Mail sorter
• Salesperson
• Public relations intern (for a high-profile senator)
• Editor
• Editorial assistant

And that’s just the tip of the glacial island.

Five years ago, I had the opportunity to interview for three different full-time positions and all three gave me offers. This time around, I interviewed for two different part-time positions and may very well get my pick of the one which meets my availability. It’s a nice feeling to have several offers on the table and to decline rather than be declined.

Although I’ve never worked behind a Human Resources desk, I can walk into nearly any office and be the person they’re looking for despite what my recent work experience says. I want to share my job interviewing tips—namely, what’s worked for me—because the job interview stage, especially on a corporate level, is one of the most difficult and nerve-racking stages to endure. (I’ve been nervous on and off for a solid 8 days as I went through two rounds of interviews with two different organizations. Just because I’m good doesn’t mean I’m always confident. But after the interview’s over, I know I’ve nailed it. And you will too.) If God has gifted me with the ability to interview well as a potential employee, then there’s no reason why I should withhold what I’ve learned and what’s worked for me (since it’s worked so well).

I’ll provide general tips that you can find most anywhere but I’ll also give you a bit more detail than many overview sites. Again, these are the strategies that have worked for me, and if implemented correctly, could work for you as well. Be forewarned, however, they’re not all easy and you are required to do some work. But doing the right legwork pays off in the long run. (Job offer, anyone?) Continue reading “Secrets to a Successful Job Interview: Why Me? & Interview Prep” →