What’s Taking Me So Long to Get Hired? {Q + A}
Heather Constantine Job Search Strategies Job search strategy
No matter how talented you are, launching into a new role isn’t as simple as it used to be – and sending over your resume isn’t cutting it.
Rest assured — It’s not you. It’s the job market.
And times have changed.
As a career coach specializing in helping job seekers of all stages and ages, one of my biggest values is staying on top of job market trends.
I monitor these changes closely, so I can relay the latest insights to my clients and community.
This way, I help them stay three steps ahead, with strategies that lead to great offers in record time.
In this blog post, I’m focusing on the three most pivotal changes I’ve seen in today’s job market.
By understanding these shifts, you can stay ahead of the curve and approach your job search with smarter, more effective strategies—saving you time, frustration, and anxiety.
Let’s get started!
The Surge in Competition: More Applicants, Fewer Opportunities
The job market has become fiercely competitive, especially in the aftermath of tech layoffs over the past few years.
According to recent data, there are now, on average, over 250 applicants for every corporate job opening, with some roles attracting as many as 1,500 candidates.
This surge in competition makes it harder than ever to stand out.
But – with this, comes opportunity.
How to stand out in a competitive job market is no longer just about getting your resume seen—it’s about ensuring it shines brighter than thousands of others.
This means implementing effective resume strategies that involve tailoring your resume and cover letter for every application and showcasing your unique value in a way that catches the eye of hiring managers quickly.
These are crucial job search strategies that can help you get ahead.
Pro Tip: Start with a personalized approach.
Tailor each resume to the specific job you’re applying for, emphasizing the skills and experiences that directly align with the job description.
Use outcome based language to convey what you’re capable of, and highlight your strengths and unique attributes that set you apart.
This targeted approach will help you stand out in a crowded field.
The Lengthy Interview Process: Prepare for the Long Haul
Gone are the days of one or two interviews before a job offer. The average number of interviews has now ballooned to seven – SEVEN! – with some companies going even further.
34% of companies reported increasing the number of interview rounds over the past year.
This extended process can be grueling, requiring stamina and persistence – but most of all, strategy.
Each interview stage is another opportunity to prove your worth, but it’s also another hurdle to clear.
To navigate this process, you need an interview strategy that will keep you prepared for every stage.
Being ready to go through multiple rounds means you must be consistent in your messaging, keep your energy high, and stay focused on your end goal.
Navigating multiple job interviews successfully requires you to continuously sell yourself and your skills, adapting your approach to each new interviewer and challenge they present.
Pro Tip: Best ways to prepare for your upcoming job interviews include practicing your answers to common interview questions, especially behavioral ones like “describe a time when…”.
Use this as an opportunity to share engaging stories of your career path or background, and communicate your value.
This will allow you to clearly set yourself apart, stand out and move onto the next round.
The Need for Strategic Self-Promotion: Mastering the Art of Communication
I can’t stress this enough: To make it to the job offer, candidates now must become skilled promoters of their own professional brands.
According to a recent survey, 82% of hiring managers say they expect candidates to be able to clearly articulate their value in interviews.
The interview process has shifted to require more detailed answers and in-depth explanations of your past experiences.
Hiring managers expect candidates to demonstrate not just their skills, but how they’ve applied them in real-world scenarios.
How to market yourself in a job interview has become a critical skill.
You’ll need to master the “describe a time when…” questions and be able to articulate your achievements clearly and confidently.
It’s about framing your experience in a way that directly aligns with the company’s needs and proves you’re the best fit for the role.
Best ways to prepare for job interviews include practicing this level of communication with precision, so you can market yourself effectively at every stage.
Want personalized responses for your interviews that will make you unforgettable in your next interview? Get started here!
Pro Tip: Effective resume strategies for 2024 don’t just end with the resume.
Develop a clear and compelling personal brand that you can consistently communicate across your resume, LinkedIn profile, and during interviews.
This consistency will help reinforce your value to potential employers.
About Heather Constantine
Heather Constantine is a seasoned career coach with 14 years of marketing experience in building brands through strategic positioning, content development, and optimization.
She applies the same methodologies that have successfully built big brands to brand building for individual. By leveraging these proven strategies, Heather enables job seekers to get seen, heard, and hired in record time.
If you’re ready to move forward in your career journey, and equip yourself with the tools you need to land an incredible job offer, schedule a strategy call with Heather today.
Take Control of Your Career: 7 Unexpected Benefits of Career Coaching
Heather Constantine Job Search Strategies career coaching, career coaching for college students, career coaching for executives, entry level career coaching, job search strategies, professional branding
In today’s competitive job market, career coaching has shifted from being a luxury to an essential tool to get ahead, stand out and thrive.
Whether you’re striving to climb the corporate ladder, pivot into a new industry, or redefine your professional identity, career coaching provides a strategic advantage that empowers you to take control of your career trajectory.
Here are some surprising benefits of working with a career coach and how it can accelerate your journey toward achieving your goals.
Pivot, Change, or Transform: Redefine Your Professional Identity
One of the most powerful and often unexpected benefits of career coaching is the chance to reinvent yourself professionally.
A career coach encourages you to step back and truly consider what you want, freeing you from the pressure to conform to a predefined path or continue down a road that no longer fulfills you.
Whether you’re contemplating a complete career pivot, seeking to refine your current role, or exploring entirely new possibilities, a coach helps you transform your professional identity into something that genuinely aligns with who you are and where you want to go.
Becoming a Skilled Communicator: Crafting and Communicating Your Personal Brand
Career coaching is an excellent opportunity to elevate your communication skills, turning your personal brand into anything you want it to be.
With the guidance of a coach, you’ll learn how to articulate your value, communicate your strengths, and present yourself in ways that make a lasting impact.
Whether in interviews, networking events, or professional interactions, you’ll shine as a skilled communicator who can confidently navigate any situation and position yourself as the ideal candidate for the opportunities you seek.
Mastering Self-Promotion: Become a Powerful Promoter and Marketer of Yourself
One of the most valuable yet often overlooked aspects of career coaching is learning how to market yourself effectively.
In a competitive job market, knowing how to promote your unique value proposition can set you apart from the crowd.
A career coach teaches you to craft a compelling personal brand, optimize your LinkedIn profile, and master the art of self-promotion.
You’ll learn to articulate your strengths, showcase your accomplishments, and position yourself as the ideal candidate for the roles you desire.
“Heather really does get you hired. After she created my positioning and keyword strategy on LinkedIn, I landed two job offers. The one I accepted amounted to a 45% salary increase, and moved me into a leadership role. Dream realized.”
Overcoming Obstacles: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
What career setbacks are keeping you stuck?
Career setbacks are inevitable, but how you respond to them can define your professional journey. Career coaching helps you reframe challenges as opportunities for growth.
Whether you’re facing a job loss, navigating a career transition, or dealing with workplace conflicts, a coach provides the tools and strategies to turn obstacles into stepping stones toward your goals.
Here are some specific ways career coaching can help you move past obstacles:
Navigating Job Loss. A coach helps you regain confidence, identify transferable skills, and develop a proactive job search strategy that aligns with your long-term career goals.
Career Transition Guidance. If you’re looking to change industries or roles, a coach can guide you through the process, helping you bridge gaps in experience and effectively market yourself in a new field.
Workplace Conflict Resolution. A coach can provide strategies for managing and resolving conflicts at work, improving your communication skills, and helping you create a more positive work environment.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome. By working with a coach, you can address self-doubt and build the confidence needed to embrace your strengths and take on new challenges.
Breaking Through Career Plateaus. If you feel stuck in your current role, a coach can help you identify opportunities for growth, whether through skill development, networking, or exploring new career paths.
Strategic Networking: Expanding Your Professional Connections
There’s an art to growing a powerful network – which can play a huge role in your career advancement.
Career coaches help you refine your networking strategies, enabling you to know who to reach out to in your network and how, which can build meaningful connections that can open doors to new opportunities.
From industry-specific events to leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn, a coach guides you in expanding your professional circle in ways that align with your career objectives.
Stop Fitting in a Box: Aligning Career with Personal Values
A fulfilling career shouldn’t come at the expense of who you are and what you value.
Career coaching encourages you to reflect on your values and priorities, natural strengths and gifts, helping you find a balance that supports both your professional and personal values.
By aligning your career choices with what truly matters to you, a coach ensures that your career progression enhances your overall quality of life.
Long-Term Success: Continuous Growth and Development
Career coaching is not just about immediate gains—it’s about setting yourself up for long-term success.
Career coaches provide ongoing support and development, helping you stay adaptable in a constantly evolving job market.
Whether it’s through refining your skills, exploring new career paths, or setting ambitious goals, a career coach keeps you focused on continuous growth, ensuring your career remains on an upward trajectory.
Today’s the Day to Land a Thriving Career
In a world where career trajectories are increasingly unpredictable, having a career coach by your side gives you the power to steer your career in the direction you choose.
From mastering self-promotion to overcoming obstacles, the unexpected benefits of career coaching can transform not just your career, but your life.
Take control of your future by investing in career coaching—it’s the strategic advantage you need to achieve your goals and reach your full potential.
Ready to take the next step?
About Heather Constantine
Heather Constantine is a seasoned career coach with 14 years of brand building and marketing for individual that has resulted in 857 hires. By leveraging these proven strategies, Heather enables job seekers to get seen, heard, and hired in record time.
If you’re ready to move forward in your career journey, and equip yourself with the tools you need to land an incredible job offer, schedule a strategy call with Heather today.
I provide customized career coaching that not only gets you to the interview but allows you to control the direction you want your career to go.
5 Essential Steps for a Succesful Career Pivot
Heather Constantine Career Transition, Professional Branding career pivot, career transition, LinkedIn optimization, professional branding
Looking to change careers?
Does the idea of doing something different excite you, but at the same time, feel a little overwhelming?
We are constantly evolving as individuals and growing as career professionals, so it’s completely normal and healthy to want more out of our work life and change our career trajectory over time. We owe it to ourselves to listen and respond to the restlessness when it stirs.
So, if you’re unhappy or unsatisfied with your work or career and want to pivot, this blog post contains all the steps to get you started on your career pivot journey.
What Does it Mean to Pivot in Your Career?
A career pivot refers to making a significant shift or change in your professional direction, often involving a move to a new industry, role, or career path. It can involve acquiring new skills, knowledge, and experience and building new networks and relationships. For anyone looking to reinvent their career or considering a midlife career change, understanding the essence of a career pivot is the first step.
So, what’s an example of a career pivot?
A career pivot could mean starting over by pursuing a new role in a new industry. It could also mean thinking outside your “normal” career structure. Instead of working 9-5 for a single employer, you could pivot into a few freelancer or contractor roles.
A career pivot could also mean changing your job function or role with your current employer. Whether you’re contemplating a career change or simply exploring options to switch careers, the opportunities are endless.
But no matter what direction you go, career pivoting in a post-pandemic world is more common than ever.
This is the time if you want something new, more challenging, or different. You have permission to start exploring what excites you, piques your interest, and motivates you to engage in your work.
Choosing to leave a job of 14 years as an account to pursue entrepreneurship is normal.
Resigning as a welder, firefighter, or entrepreneur after five years, four, or seven to become a UX designer or coder is entirely reasonable.
Leaving your job as a teacher to go to culinary school because you dream of opening your own bakery or running your own restaurant is incredible—and normal.
Every single person I’ve known—from clients to friends to myself—that is no longer motivated in their career (they’re burned out, tired of working 40 hours a week to accomplish someone else’s dream, they no longer love what they’re doing, etc.) all began thinking and asking themselves similar things right before they took the plunge to pivot:
- I should just be grateful that I have a job.
- I’ve worked hard for my skill set. I shouldn’t throw that all away by diving into something new.
- If I change my career, I’ll have to start at the bottom, and I’m not willing to have a pay cut.
- I don’t even know what I would love to do.
- Sure, my passion is xxx, but I can’t make a living doing that.
- Wanting more out of my career is indulgent.
- I know it’s time for a change, but I need to figure out what direction I want or how to go about it.
Do any of these sound familiar?
Give Yourself Permission to Pivot Your Career
To begin taking steps to pivot, let’s squash any fears getting in your way.
Your brain is hardwired to resist change and will come up with any excuse to prevent change. To pursue our goals DESPITE the fear, we need to reframe what our brain tells us – so that we can get out of our own way and start taking proactive steps to lead us to our goals.
“I should be grateful I have a job.”
Ah, the gratitude trap! Gratitude is essential, but when you are no longer fulfilled by what you do, it’s a tough road to go down when you’re beating yourself up for not feeling ‘grateful.’
What good are you to yourself, your health, your family, and your relationships by staying in a job that makes you miserable?
In the famous words of Ferris Bueller: Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t look around every once in a while, you could miss it.”
‘I’ve worked hard on my skillset – I shouldn’t throw it all away to dive into something new.”
When you career pivot right, you won’t throw anything away. No time is wasted because it got you to the point you’re at now. And those skills you worked so hard to earn?
Not only are many of your skills transferable to ANY industry and role, but you can effectively package them up, so they are universally engaging and eye-candy to ANY new employer.
Skills transfer, and when you pivot, you become more of an asset, thanks to your well-rounded, seasoned experience, expertise, and diverse skill set.
“If I change careers, I’ll have to start at the bottom, and I’m not willing to have a pay decrease.”
By pursuing more exciting roles aligned with what you WANT and marketing yourself effectively, you can make MORE money than you ever did doing something you didn’t love.
“Wanting more out of my career is indulgent.”
Most of us spend one-third of our entire lives at WORK. AT WORK alone.
With as much time as you spend on the job, don’t you deserve to think a little ‘indulgent’ and selfishly? Don’t you deserve to have what you want in your career and wake up excited on Monday morning?
Yes, but it’s up to you to take action to move the needle.
Now that we’ve got some excuses out of the way, let’s launch into HOW you can pivot your career into a new role or industry, using proven strategies that set you up for success – and throw you into a fully aligned, higher-paying, step-into-your-power role.
5 Successful Strategies to Pivot Your Career
Whether you want to make a slight or signifigant career pivot, real change starts with action!
If you’re looking to pivot your career, these five steps (designed to be worked out in this particular order) will help you successfully navigate your journey.
Step 1: Get Mental
To pivot your career successfully, the first step is to have a clear intention into what it is you’d like to do—or what direction you’d like to go, what lights you up inside, what image or thought or idea makes you think: now that’s something that would be worth my time.
To determine what that is, ask yourself:
- What brings me joy?
- What lights me up?
- What are others doing that I experience a twinge of jealousy and wish I was doing?
- If I could do anything, what would it be?
This technique is wholly rooted in building clarity around your passion.
If you’re looking to pivot in your career, you already know that you’ve outgrown what you’re currently doing, but launching into a role that will challenge you and light that fire inside will bring motivation, engagement, and excitement to you in your career…you need some clarity on what excites you.
To find out what that is, take out a sheet of paper.
Draw a line down the middle. On the left column, write ‘Passions,’ and on the right side, write ‘strengths.’
The idea is to create a list that spells out all of your passions (which are things that light you up inside and bring you joy) while listing out your strengths (skill sets and natural talents for those aspects of your career that you have experience doing and are naturally gifted at).
Refrain from thinking analytically about what should fall under both of these lists. The idea is to tap into your passions—especially those you have forgotten about.
List them without censoring yourself.
If you get stuck (because, let’s face it, we’ve all been trained to have careers based on what our brain or our environment has told us is acceptable), think back to your childhood. What did you love to do at six years old?
At ten? At 12 years old? Chances are, what you loved then you still find joy doing now—but perhaps you abandoned it.
It’s time to get it back and consider those aspects as a possible career pivot.
You’ll want to list your strengths in the same way. What are you good at? What comes naturally to you?
- Do you think big picture or strategically?
- Do you find working with numbers easy, or are you obsessed with data?
- Are you a prolific writer or organizer?
- Are you awesome at making other people feel heard and understood?
Look at your lists and create a mock-up job description that incorporates your passions and natural strengths. What would the role be if you were a hiring manager looking at that job description?
Create 3-5 ‘roles’ for this description.
Do your passions and strengths sound like you’d make an incredible speechwriter, the next Chief Revenue Officer for an enterprise SaaS company, or a business owner that provides social media marketing to women-owned businesses?
You not only have permission to pivot in your career, but you have permission to create a job description that fits your passions, strengths, and skill sets.
Next up, moving on to step two.
Step 2: Reverse Engineer Your Career Pivot with Research
Once you know what role(s) you’re interested in, you can pivot your career by researching those already in the seat you want to sit.
LinkedIn is the perfect platform to do this, so head over and start looking for people who already have the roles and titles you want.
Take note of the titles, the responsibilities, and the skills and experience required to succeed in that role. Do you have those skills? Can you incorporate them into your experience and skill sets?
You’ll also want to start joining LinkedIn groups, which can be chock full of like-minded people and networking connections. It’s the easiest way to start building your new network.
Finally, look at your current network and see who can open doors for you. You may not even be aware of your current network of connections and how they can help you.
Sometimes a random connection from an industry or interest you’ve pursued in the past can end up being the golden ticket that opens the door for you.
Step 3: Expand Your Skills and Knowledge
Sometimes you’ll need additional training, certifications, or educational courses to ensure you are fully equipped and up to date with the skills you’ll need for the role you’re interested in.
Pivoting your career may also mean taking online courses to get certifications, learning new technologies, or even pursuing a degree or higher education in a field you’re interested in. This will further ensure you stand out from the pack when applying for jobs.
Step 4: Take Inventory of Your Skills
Once you know what skills future hiring managers are on the hunt for (based on your diligent people search via LinkedIn!), it’s time to take a self-inventory of all those unique skills you inherently possess.
We often become so focused on our day-to-day, only actually using a tiny percentage of our comprehensive skill set, that we need to remember how truly talented, as a whole, and in demand we are.
Make a list of every skill, talent, and strength.
Don’t be timid.
Go all out with everything you can think that you possess.
Things like:
- ‘UX designer,’
- ‘make people feel seen and heard,’
- ‘awesome at reading analytics,’
- ‘love sharing stories on Instagram,’
- ‘hyper-focused,’
- ‘agile learner’
- ‘a scrappy thinker who comes up with cheap solutions for hard problems’
- ‘high level, etc.
Step 5: Optimize your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
This is where the power of your messaging comes into play.
The good news? You get to control which direction you want to go!
However, getting there is so much easier when you focus on understanding these two things:
It’s not enough to apply for a job with a resume and cover letter – even if it’s perfect. Instead, getting hired comes down to your ability to meet job opportunities where they are (and this approach is a lot easier.
Even if you lack the experience, the right messaging can influence how hiring managers react, respond, and perceive your worth!
I believe everyone can pivot their career without struggle – but launching where you want to land is about these high-converting assets to take you to the finish line. (BLOCK QUOTE)
Your Linkedin profile.
Recruiters and hiring managers LIVE on LinkedIn. It’s where they post jobs, find candidates, and, most importantly, HIRE those candidates.
So, how do you get seen in a sea of more qualified, experienced competition? Through the power of keywords.
By optimizing your Linkedin profile with the right keywords and some kick-ass brand messaging, the opportunity is yours for a swift landing in your new dream role.
Your resume.
Once your profile is optimized, and as a result, you’re pulling up on their candidate searches,
Your RESUME is their next touchpoint.
This is where the language you use to describe yourself is VITAL to scoring the interview.
Avoid overused words like ‘attention to detail,’ ‘team player,’ or ‘results-driven.’
These words are SO OVERUSED that, from a recruiter’s perspective, they don’t stand out.
Instead, use quantitative language that describes your ULTIMATE OUTCOME.
For example, “Building AI That Boosted User Retention by 798%” shows them your value immediately.
Most interviewees never take the time to practice what they want to say before the interview, but by perfecting your elevator pitch, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of moving along in the interview process, landing the offer, and even hold a major power card for salary negotiations.
Want to position yourself for a successful career pivot into any role or industry? Book a call to move through a career change easily!
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.