5 tips for a successful job interview

As a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist, my ambition is to work with my clients to initiate change.

As a hypnotherapy practitioner, I am in a prime position to instigate the motion for that change to take place by working in partnership with my clients to build a solid foundation of trust and rapport. 

Hypnotherapy and job interviews

It is the role of the hypnotherapist to empower the client by helping them to access the power of their own subconscious mind. As expected, there is a positive correlation between the level of a client’s self-motivation and their success.

Every client and every session is unique. The hypnotherapist must work accordingly and be sure to not overgeneralise or compartmentalise the client’s situation. They must also read the energy in the room and converge to ensure a nurturing environment. If this happens, huge life-changing habits can be made or broken in a single session.

This was the experience of one of my clients who had always worked in a family business that did not warrant the need for an interview but had applied for another job and had been invited there first.  

Following a discussion, we agreed to use the client’s session as a confidence-building exercise in preparation for her upcoming job interview. I had recently completed a course in CV writing and interviews, which coupled with my past experiences of successful job interviews, gave me a great position from which to begin. 

After just one session with a focus on the skills of effective communication, such as active listening, sensitive questioning, building rapport and open body language, my client felt ready to attend her interview and was offered the role. 

Top 5 tips for a successful job interview

I have summarised the focal points of my client’s session to create a list of five tips to help prepare for a successful job interview: 

Understanding of the job description

Perhaps, this could be the most important tip. It is a non-negotiable that you should understand the purpose of the job, the role, and the responsibilities that you would be taking on, if and when successful. Also, by reviewing the person specification, she was able to match her current skills and competencies as well as identify opportunities where she could apply transferable skills. 

In addition, my client was able to identify potential ideas for future continuous professional and development needs, which, if mentioned in an interview or application could be seen favourably.

Research the organisation

My client found it very helpful to do some background work. She started by visiting the organisation’s official website to get a general overview of the company and once she was invited to interview, she contacted the chair of the interview panel by phone. During the telephone conversation, my client was able to start building rapport and mutual respect whilst confirming her acceptance of the interview.

Prepare to answer questions in a structured manner

As my client had never had an interview before, it was paramount to have a mock interview to provide her with an opportunity to practice, receive feedback, and improve her skills. By practising interview strategies, thinking of and answering challenging questions, anxieties that many experiences before an actual job interview can be eased.

At the mock interview, we focused on answering behavioural questions using the situation task action result (STAR) method. An example of a common behavioural question would be, “Tell me about a time when you had to priorities several tasks." My client was able to familiarise herself with the STAR method. The STAR method allowed my client to answer the question in a structured manner by discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation she was describing.

Visualise yourself in the new role

Having reviewed the job description and person specification to ascertain what skills the employer is looking for, my client was able to visualise herself in the new role. Alongside her transferable skills and the mock interview, my client was encouraged to draw upon her lived experiences, for example as a mum of school-age children.        

Attend the interview with pre-prepared questions for the panel

Having a list of thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer made my client look interested, motivated, engaged, and enthusiastic. It also offers you a final opportunity to further highlight relevant skills and abilities.  By asking specifics about the role you can explain even further as to why you would be a great fit. In addition, asking the right questions at the end of an interview leaves a good impression on the interview panel. 

Attending a job interview can be a stressful situation, so it makes perfect sense to be as prepared as possible. If you have or are worried about a job interview, then the right preparation allows you to reflect without regrets - whether successful or not.

If you would like to know more about how I can help you, please feel free to visit my profile.