In this educational TED Talk, Ashley Rizzotto speaks about mastering the job interview. Ashley has an interesting perspective, starting from applying for her first job through to the interview that got her the current career advisor role. She also draws on working with hundreds of graduates preparing them for their interviews.
The key thing to mastering your job interview is not the interview itself. It’s all in the preparation for the interview. And more importantly, the work you do on yourself.
In her very first interview, which was a role Ashley ‘prepared’ well for, her reflections were that, “I told them exactly what they wanted to hear”. Something we can all relate to no doubt.
She got the role, but 2 weeks in she was not enjoying it at all. What was thought was a ‘dream job’, turned out otherwise and she had left that role by the 10 month mark.
It turned out that the ‘idea’ of getting the job was more important than advocating what was needed to be happy.
Off the back of that, Ashley came up with 3 strategies to master a job interview.
Know your non-negotiables
This is all about the activities and surroundings that bring you joy. The things that wake you up in the morning to get you to go to work, and the things that you look forward to when you leave for the day.
You might be someone that enjoys a high energy environment rather than a low energy environment. Do you work best alone versus working with others?
It’s key to know and understand what works for you. Which is all about connecting the motivation to meaningful purpose.
Identify your strengths
Knowing your foundational strengths helps with knowing what to ask regarding the non-negotiables.
Think of those compliments you have received in the past that have stuck with you. Or how would your best friend describe you to someone that doesn’t know you?
Hidden in amongst there are your natural strengths. The ones that create the true authentic person you are.
Continue to be conscious of these and over time these can be added to your strengths and non-negotiables.
Find alignment through research
This is where you match your internal needs to the opportunities around you. In comparing them, if there is something missing, there are 2 approaches:
- Advocate – for example you can share how good you are at those aspects that you are being questioned on; but then redirect them back to your strengths and parts that are more important to you.
- Realise it might not be the right role – don’t settle for anything less than what you need to be happy
Take a look at the full 11-minute TED Talk here to hear the finer points of how to master your job interview:
Want to watch more educational content that we believe is worth checking out. Find them all here.
