INTERVIEW: KNOWING YOURSELF

Interview drills have for the past two months been one of the most intense activities that careerpitch has offered to clients. The most interesting thing about interview drills is that most clients hardly get to prepare for them as much as they do for real interviews. Besides the understanding that at the end of the drill, the consultant is supposed top provide a feedback of some sort makes the candidate not to put their level best but rather to expect to learn more. However, this is to some extent and advantage because it has enabled us to be able to see candidates for what they are in ordinary circumstances.

Of the total time spent in interview drills, or perhaps ordinary interviews 30% of the time could be saved if the candidate has invested time and effort in knowing themselves well. Many times candidates going for interviews spend more time getting to have theoretical knowledge of the target jobs as well as the target employer but fail to develop knowledge of themselves. What does knowing yourself involve? Certainly, it is about going beyond what one physically does in their jobs to what competencies their present, past or mix of jobs has established in themselves. Here are key aspects of knowing oneself.

a)      At what level are you in your career (hands on – beginner level, quality assurance – verification, initiative development, assessment, supervisory, leadership, systems and policy formulation or strategic management)?

b)     What has your career exposed you to? (special contacts, extraordinary business environment, unusual market dynamics, special euphoria – technological breakthrough, specialized systems and procedures, mixture of external and internal influences, unique and induced traits)

c)      What does your career profile present? ( professional cross pollination – mix of careers, professional due diligence, loyalty – lengthy professions, adaptability, demonstrable progression)

d)     What career alternatives do you have? (advancement in your profession, change of careers, enrichment of roles – addition of responsibilities, change of work set ups – from organisation to networks or associations)

e)     What can you not do as of now? ( new careers, level of promotion)

f)        What do you aspire to be?

g)     Does you present position and market orientation make it easy for you to get there?

Personal appreciation enables one to save time on opportunities that are not necessary to pursue as well as enable the candidate to be in charge of any interview. Candidates who have detailed personal appreciation do not just apply for any position. They may get into an interview competitively within a notice of 30 minutes. How much does your personal knowledge about yourself empower you?

CAREERPITCH – RESULT FOCUSED RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS