Lorraine Shine – How to be Successful in the Interview Process? – EP167
Season 4
Episode 167

Lorraine Shine – How to be Successful in the Interview Process? – EP167

This one is definitely for the times we’re in where so many people are now back on the job marketing looking for work. It many cases, they have not had to ‘do up’ their CV/resume in a long time or have had to prepare for an interview either.   So, I thought it would be very worthwhile to have Lorraine Shine, Founder and CEO Career and Interview Success, to come on to the show and walk you through the entire process from start to finish.   Lorraine provides complete career management support from A-Z ranging from Career Direction/ Career Transition Coaching to the practicalities of CV updating and tailoring, Job Search Strategies and Interview skills.   While we tried to cover as much as we could in the time allotted, I’m sure you’ll still have some questions I didn’t ask. No worries. Lorraine’s details are at the end of the notes and how to connect in with her. We could also do a live Q&A follow up if that’s something of interest. Do get in touch.   Outlined below is the main sections and topics covered during the interview with Lorraine. I hope you find it useful and actionable.   About Lorraine & her coaching journey  
  • A bit about how you got into the field you’re now into?
  • Your own journey to become an expert in this area
  • A deep dive into the Self & Self-awareness
  • Taking control of your own career and where you wanted to take it?
  • Always focused on People
  • Takeaways and learning from the coaching journey
  • How Emotional Intelligence played an important part in her career
  • Making the decision to go out on her own and set up her business
  Key Point #1 – Get into the right physical & mental sides right
  • The importance of looking after yourself as you step into the job search process
  • Focus on what is within your control – physically and mentally
  • Ensure exercise is a daily priority
  • Make sleep a key focus – even if you don’t have to commute or travel as much
  • Building a routine is crucial
  • Build out a social media plan so you’re not being overwhelmed with too much information
  • Setting yourself NOVID days
  • Mute WhatsApp Groups
  • Delete Apps from your phones
  • Use the Screen time reports
  • Set competitions or gamify how little you spend on your social media tools
    Key Point #2 – How to apply for positions and roles
  • Make a simple plan for you
  • Pick top 3 things – a level, industry, and website (where to go)
  • Look at job websites that are relevant
  • Set up email job alerts so you get updates daily based on these preferences
  • Let your friends and family know you’re looking and specifying what you would consider in a role – they will be listening posts for you in your search
  • Be specific in the information you share so they don’t make assumptions
  • What are the best sites to look at?
    • LinkedIn is the best – use this
  • Don’t forget to tap into your network – ex-clients and colleagues
  • Work on creating your daily of good connections / potential future colleagues
    Key Point #3 – Getting the CV / Resume into good shape
  • The CV hasn’t changed a lot over the last 18 years
  • Job seekers are much more savvy in how they tailor their CV for a role and make them less generic
  • It’s very easy to spot a generic CV – avoid this at all costs
  • Look at the job spec and go through it with a close eye
  • Spend time thinking about what the hiring manage might look for?
  • Put yourself in their shoes!!!
  • Only 20-30% stand out in general
  • What is the recommended length of a CV? – depend on experience & role?
  • What do employers regard as an impressive or stand out CV?
  • What are the tactics to get your CV noticed?
  • Cover letter? Or Cover Video?
  • How to stand out?
  • Cover letter that has graphics on it – showing skill levels in specific areas, etc
  • Get someone else to do it for you?
  • Consistent in font, size, structure – keep it simple, same font size, etc.
  • Font size 10 is typical and only bold key responsibilities
  • The recommended length of a CV – 2 pages or 4+ pages?
  • This can depend on the amount of experience and you want to show case your experience
  • How long should you wait for a response from an employer or agency?
    • 1 weeks for an agency
    • 2 weeks for an employer
  • Try to keep in the positive mind frame even though you haven’t heard back!
  • When following up, watch your tone, be very softly softly and just ensure you’re keeping communication lines open – ask a question if more information needed?
  Key point #4 – Preparing for the interview – practice, questions, research!!  
  • Get as much information about the interview format as possible
  • Review the job spec again and start to prepare questions you could get asked and create answers around this.
  • Preparation – research on the company – what would you pick out? Not just spit back facts and figures…
  • Know if it will be a behaviours or competency based interview?
  • Use of the STAR method would be useful to prepare for
  • Create scenarios
  • Do mock interviews
  • Get comfortable in the format of interview that will be held
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for details of the format
  • Be clear on examples that you have from previous experience
  • Thinking through the experience you have and be clear on what the value was from it
  • The ‘Tell me about yourself’ Interview Question? – it’s asked so much but so many struggles with it!
  • Finding the balance on when to keep answers short and concise v longer and deeper responses
  • Practice practice practice and create the environment if possible – do a mock interview with a coach
  • Record the answers and listen back – this can be very powerful
  • Asked about your biggest weakness? How to answer this…
  • BE GENUINE and AUTHENTIC AT ALL TIMES
  • What is the best way to approach competency/ behavioural type interview questions?
  • What do candidates tend to fall down on at interviews?
  • What skills and behaviours are highest priority for employers at the moment?
  Key point #5 – closing remarks
  • Don’t over relax at the end of the interview
  • What questions you can ask depends on many factors
  • Questions to ask in an interview?
  • What works?
  • In the interview – dealing with nerves / saying too much / too little?
  • HAVE Questions prepared for your Interviewer – THIS IS KEY!
    • A great opportunity to show your motivation and interest!
  • Practice actively listening during the interview so you can ask useful questions
  • Make it real time from the interview
  • Researching on the interviewer before hand – knowing more about their background
  • Researching on the company and how to answer questions on this?
    Key point #6 – Interviews over Video conference?
  • Interviewing from Home?
  • A lot of companies are conducting interviews over phone and video conference at the moment. What’s the best way to prepare for these?
  • Some people are comfortable already
  • If not, prepare like you would for any other interview
  • Ask for details of what is expected
  • Practice over Zoom or Skype with a family member or Friend
  • Ensure you have all the software installed and that they work
  • Get more familiar with it beforehand – how you look and sound!
  • Get clarity on the interview attire
  • Have a backup way of connecting in – phone number, landline, etc
  Key point #7 - After the interview:
  • When do you follow up?
  • Take time to make your own notes from the interview and make notes of questions, what you said, what you didn’t, how could it have gone better?
  • Asking about the process
  • How long do you leave it before checking?
  • Connecting in on LinkedIn – yes/no?
  • Send an email to the interviewer? Make sure it’s genuine?
  Key takeaways
  • Planning is crucial all the way through the process
  • Put yourself in their shoes
  • Look at different perspective
  • Would I hire me?
  • What key words and statements would stand out?
  • What attitudes and behaviours should I show off!
  • As a job seeker – do just one task each day – don’t get it all done at once!!!
  • Keep a log of all the roles you’ve applied for, when, etc.
  • Be very Planful!
  Connect in with Lorraine E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.careerandinterviewsuccess.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineshine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/careerandinterviewsuccess Twitter: @LorraineShine78

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