Commanding the Room: 4 Ways to Nail the Job Interview
Have you ever walked out of an interview feeling like you weren’t seen or heard? Like you had to contort yourself to fit inside their box, only to be dismissed without a fair shot?
It’s a common feeling—sitting across from a hiring manager, trying to anticipate what they want to hear, and feeling like you’re not showing up as your authentic self.
The pressure to perform and the fear of not meeting their expectations can strip away your confidence, leaving you feeling disengaged and uncomfortable in your own skin.
But – what if you could turn all of this on its head?
What if you could walk into an interview and command the attention of hiring managers from the moment they ask, “Tell me about yourself”?
What if you had the kind of magnetic confidence that not only engages the interviewer but also leaves a lasting impression that sets you apart from other candidates?
It’s possible – and best of all, teachable.
This command level of confidence will lead to the opportunities you’re wanting in your career (and let’s face it, life!)
Here, I break it down – so you can achieve command presence in job interviews and transform the way you present yourself to potential employers.
Commanding the Job Interview with 3 Simple Questions
In 2014, I found myself in a high-stakes job interview, facing a panel of hiring managers.
The atmosphere was intense, the questions were relentless, and the expectations were sky-high.
I had to dig deep, illustrating how I’d overcome challenges and accomplished goals, answering the hard-hitting questions they threw at me one after the other.
I was saying all the right things, recounting my achievements and experiences, but I knew I had to do something more to truly stand out.
Then, I decided to take a different approach. I waited for a natural pause, and instead of continuing to field their questions, I turned the tables.
I told the panel, “I’d love to ask my own questions now.” I could see their surprise, but they agreed, intrigued by my request. I started by asking them about their own challenges:
“What have been your bottlenecks to achieving greater revenue?”
“If you had a wish list for me as your new marketer, what would it be?”
These were no ordinary questions—they were the equivalent of the tough, probing questions they had been asking me.
I then followed up with,
“What are your greatest strengths as leaders, and how do you envision leading and empowering me in this role?”
My questions knocked them back in their seats, transforming the dynamic of the interview. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about them assessing me—it was a genuine conversation where we could both explore what we wanted from this potential collaboration.
They began to open up, sharing candid insights into their goals and challenges. They laughed at my jokes and got real with me about what they really wanted to achieve.
We both relaxed into the conversation, moving from a rigid Q&A format to a more engaging and authentic dialogue.
By the end of the interview, the tone had shifted dramatically. One of the hiring managers wrapped things up by saying,
“Great conversation, Heather. Really. We all enjoyed our time with you.”
Just two hours later, I received a call from the recruiter with a job offer that was 20% above my salary requirement.
But it was the feedback I got that I’ve never forgotten:
“She’s got a command presence we just couldn’t say no to. That’s the kind of energy we want here.”
This experience taught me the true power of command presence.
It’s not just about answering questions; it’s about engaging with confidence, demonstrating your value, and showing your potential as a leader and collaborator.
From that day on, I’ve made it my mission to help others harness their command presence, transforming their interviews and careers in the process.
“I had gotten to the final interview stage multiple times, but always got passed up for the other candidate. Heather taught me how to speak about my value in a way that immediate set me apart. After some strategic interview prep, I scored two competing offers and ultimately, a 38% increase above my previous salary! This was a complete game changer.” – Alex S., Product Manager
Nail the Job Interview with Command (in 4 Steps)
Mastering the Mindset: Building Confidence for Interviews
Cultivating the right mindset is crucial for commanding presence during a job interview. Recognize that being invited to an interview means the company sees potential in you.
Embrace this fact with confidence and use power statements to reinforce your self-belief.
Here are a few power statements you can recite to boost your confidence before and during the interview:
- “I am here because my unique skills and experiences are valuable to this company.”
- “I bring a distinct perspective and expertise that will contribute to their success.”
- “I have prepared thoroughly, and I am ready to showcase my strengths and how they align with the company’s goals.”
- “I offer something special that no one else does, and I am excited to demonstrate my fit for this role.”
Articulating Your Unique Value: Crafting a Compelling Narrative
Being able to clearly articulate your value is essential for standing out. To identify and communicate your strengths, follow these steps:
- Reflect on Your Achievements: Review your past roles and identify key accomplishments. What projects did you lead? What were the outcomes? For example, if you improved a process or increased sales, detail these achievements and quantify them where possible.
- Seek Feedback: Gather feedback from colleagues, supervisors, or clients about your strengths. They might highlight skills or attributes you didn’t realize were significant. For instance, if multiple people have praised your leadership or problem-solving skills, these are likely key areas of strength.
- Define Your Unique Value Proposition: Combine your achievements and feedback to craft a clear value proposition. For example, if you’ve consistently driven revenue growth through innovative marketing strategies, your value proposition might be, “I excel at creating and executing marketing strategies that drive measurable growth, as evidenced by a 30% increase in annual revenue in my last role.”
Practice articulating this value proposition in a concise and compelling way so that you can confidently share it during the interview.
Power Poses That Boost Confidence
Your body language communicates a lot about your confidence and presence.
Adopting specific power poses and maintaining effective body language can enhance your command presence.
Here are some power poses and tips, along with supporting statistics:
- The Power Pose: Standing or sitting with your shoulders back and chest open can make you appear more confident. Research by Amy Cuddy suggests that adopting expansive poses for just two minutes can increase feelings of power and decrease stress hormone levels (Cuddy, A.J.C., 2012).
- The “Victory Pose”: Standing with your arms raised in a V shape (like a victory pose) can boost your confidence. Studies show that this pose can elevate testosterone levels and decrease cortisol levels, making you feel more powerful (Carney, D.R., Cuddy, A.J.C., & Yap, A.J., 2010).
- Strong Eye Contact: Maintain steady eye contact to show engagement and confidence. Avoiding eye contact can make you seem uncertain or disinterested. Aim for 50-60% eye contact during conversations to build rapport and convey trustworthiness.
- Firm Handshake: A firm handshake can set a positive tone at the beginning of the interview. It conveys confidence and professionalism. Avoid a limp handshake, which can be perceived as a lack of confidence.
Impactful Questions to Stand Out and Impress Interviewers
Turning the tables and asking thoughtful questions can set you apart and demonstrate your engagement.
Here’s how to ask impactful questions and examples you can use:
- Understand Their Challenges: Ask about specific challenges the company faces. For example, “What have been your biggest challenges in achieving your current goals?” This shows you’re thinking about how you can contribute to solving their problems.
- Clarify Expectations: Inquire about their expectations for the role. For example, “If you could design the perfect outcome for this role in the first six months, what would it look like?” This question helps you understand their priorities and expectations.
- Explore Company Culture: Ask about the company’s culture and leadership style. For example, “What are the company’s core values, and how are they reflected in the day-to-day work environment?” This helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your own values and work style.
- Future Goals: Show interest in the company’s long-term vision. For example, “What are the company’s goals for the next five years, and how do you see this role contributing to achieving them?” This demonstrates your forward-thinking approach and interest in the company’s future.
