10 Reasons to Use an Interview Coach

Why use an interview coach?

Using the services of an interview coach has become very popular. Employers have become increasingly specific in their requirements and the most attractive companies have rigorous recruitment and selection processes creating a very competitive environment.  It’s a very personal service which directly addresses why your interviews are not being turned into job offers and works with you to overcome these obstacles.

So what are the top ten benefits of using an interview coach?

1. Doing a mock interview gives you the opportunity to practise and iron out any weaknesses before the big day. You wouldn’t consider running a marathon without any training. Many executive haven’t been in a formal interview for years and are rusty. Coaching is a time efficient way to hone in what you need to change to create the impression you need.
2. You see yourself for the first time through the eyes of an employer. This is probably one of the most powerful aspects of the interview coaching session. The mock interview is recorded and played back helping you objectively appraise your performance.
3. An interview coach will quickly identify your areas of weakness and work with you overcome them. Where you fall short for the role and work with you to field any questions around this.
4. You will learn to identify your own strengths. Many of us have been doing our jobs for so long that we take our achievements and strengths for granted and often find it difficult to correctly identify how we are bringing value to our employers.
5. Coaching will guide you to understand what the interviewer wants, see things from their perspective and to tailor your answers accordingly. You’ll start to think like a buyer not a seller.
6. Understanding how to answer competency based/ behavioural questions. These are becoming an increasingly popular form of question and it is important to know what the employer is looking for and how to best structure your answers.
7. Words matter, particularly in executive interviews. Coaching will guide you to be succinct, impactful and to make strong use of power verbs to create a feeling of confidence and authority.
8. Learn from your mistakes. There are many books on the market coaching you on how to do the perfect interview. Useful though they are, the only way you will become successful in interview is by doing them.
9. Enhancing your body language. Non verbal communication makes a huge difference on the personal impact you make in the interview.
10. Confidence building – this is the key to success in any interview. If you can transmit the message that you are very confident in your own ability, you will gain the trust of the interviewer and make it easier for them to offer you the position.

Remember interview coaching is a one to one session and is tailored to meet your specific needs. By taking all of the “unknowns” out of the interview process, you will be able to give a polished, confident performance and ultimately significantly increase your chances of beating the competition and securing the job offer.

About the Author

Laura McGrath is a qualified executive coach, EMCC Certified with over 20 years’ experience in executive search and recruitment.  She’s the owner of Interview Techniques, a leading provider of interview and career coaching services and has been a guest lecturer with Trinity College Dublin and TU Dublin.  She’s given master interview classes with Institute of Chartered Accountants. For a consultation, please call 087 669 1192 or go to https://interviewtechniques.ie/contact/

Public Sector Experience: She’s been on public sector interview panel for the Civil Service interviewing Clerical Officers/Executive Officers/Higher Executive Officers/Administrative Officers and Assistant Principal Officers. She’s also been on Local Authority, County Council, HSE, Irish Prison Service, Garda Siochana and numerous semi-state boards, interviewing using both the Capability Framework and Competency Models.