Summary: On this episode of The Ultimate Leadership Podcast, career coach and bestselling author Thea Kelley shares her expertise on how to build a proactive strategy prior to your interview to finally get that job.<br> On today’s podcast:<br> <br> Why is interviewing so terrifying? <br> It’s not enough to be qualified for the job<br> Find out what your key selling points are<br> REV selling points<br> How to come across as authentic<br> Don’t recite, be conversational instead<br> <br> Links:<br> <br> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Get-That-Job-Complete-Interview-ebook/dp/B01MTSZVJD">Get That Job!: The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview</a><br> <br> Why is interviewing so terrifying?<br> It’s very natural to be nervous about an interview. A lot of it is about fear of the unknown, a lack of control. You don’t know what to expect.<br> You should take control by having a proactive interview strategy. This is where leaders have an advantage because they are used to strategic planning.<br> You won’t get the job just by being qualified<br> The company may be interviewing an average of five candidates, all of whom are qualified. <br> Your task is not just to show that you’re qualified, but to stand out. To make yourself memorable as the best candidate. <br> It’s not a matter of magic, it’s a matter of having a proactive strategy. Most candidates will go to an interview without an overall strategy. <br> Brand yourself<br> Strategy has to be complemented with authenticity. Strategic planning has a lot to do with strengths and weaknesses.<br> You need to make an effort to identify what makes you stand out. What are your key selling points? <br> Start with making a list. You can ask yourself these questions:<br> <br> What do I do better than most?<br> What skills do I have that are hard to find?<br> What’s my most impressive accomplishment in the last 5 years?<br> Is there anything impressive about my career trajectory? <br> What would my clients or managers say it makes me especially valuable?<br> <br> Be REV: Relevant, Exceptional and Verifiable<br> The best key selling points to emphasize in an interview or on a resume need to be REV: Relevant, Exceptional and Verifiable. <br> The first interview question is important. You can answer it with an introduction that focuses on your key selling points. Right off the bat, you’re hitting the interviewers with a few memorable points about you.<br> You should use stories and examples from your work that illustrate your top selling points. <br> People tend to remember what they heard first and what they hear last. So you should end your interview by bringing your key selling points up again. <br> How to come across as authentic<br> Authenticity starts with telling the truth but goes beyond that. You can tell the truth and still come across as not being authentic. <br> One of the things that makes people sound inauthentic during an interview is reciting. It appears that they don’t have faith in their communication abilities enough to say it in a natural way.<br> If you’re reciting something you’ve memorized, you are not as believable. <br> Being conversational is part of being authentic. Painting a picture with stories and examples also makes you more authentic. <br>
