Three Stages to Achieving Interview Flow

Bottom-line-up-front: They say the best job interviews are conversational. But how do you get there? That is the third and final stage of achieving interview flow.

Interviewing is a subjective world.

You can't see the ball go past the goalie and hit the net. It's not a test where you get a letter grade.

The only slight objectivity in the subjective world of interviewing is -- did you achieve conversation flow?

• Were you in the zone with the interviewers?
• Did you all see yourself working together?
• Were you able to answer and ask well?

I am sure you have heard:

The best job interviews are conversational.

"But how do we get to that point," asked a mentee of mine.

To her, I shared the three stages of interview prep.

It's the only thing you have objective control over.

Stage 1: Winging-it

• You have low prep or practice
• The content of your answers is hit or miss
• Your delivery and conversation ease are bad

It's okay, we all start at this stage.

More practice leads to stage 2.

Stage 2: Rehearsed

• You've scripted your answers
• Yet, your delivery feels rehearsed or robotic
• And a new question/situation can throw you off

Again, this is a natural stage in the process.

This is where the question arises.

"Even after all this work, when do I get natural at these conversations?"

Answer: More. Deliberate. Practice.

Stage 3: Flow!

• You know all the edge cases 
• Your delivery is muscle memory 
• You have spots to add humor and personality 
• You can think on the spot and hit the high notes 
• You have a 30-60-90 sec version of all your answers
  

Essentially, you see the game within the game.

Like Neo in Matrix.

😎

So, if you are in stage 1 or mainly 2, the worst thing to do is STOP.

Continue:
1. Refining answers
2. Building answer library
3. Giving more mock interviews
4. Giving more actual interviews
5. Getting expert feedback on content AND delivery

Pretty soon, you will be acing interviews.

💪🏽

Challenge: Record yourself and watch the tape.

The best athletes in the world watch game tapes.

The best chefs in the world taste their food.

It's time to do to the same with your interviewing.

Prepare to answer the question, "Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a co-worker."

Record yourself answering the question:

1. You can use Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet.
2. Or you can use the camera in your phone.
3. Or you can deliver it in front of a mirror.

Doesn't matter what you choose.

I don't even want you to judge yourself today.

Just hit record and watch yourself.

Bask in the discomfort.

That is where growth lies.

Stretch goal (if you are between stages 2 and 3):

Reach out to a friend or family member. Don't overthink which person to select.

Then follow these specific instructions:

1. Tell them that you want to practice an interview answer out-loud. 
2. Say, "I am going to answer the question: Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a co-worker."
   
3. Ask, "Ready?" Then give them your answer.
4. Then ask them, "If you had to repeat this answer back to me, how would you say it?" 

Important: Don't say it upfront, "I am going to ask you to repeat it back to me." That way you get a true insight on what they were able to catch.