Once candidates have been shortlisted, the interview is the next step in securing a new role. But how can you best prepare for it?
It is not uncommon for professionals to focus solely on giving the right answers during an interview. As a result, they lose sight of what is important to them. To avoid this, maintaining focus is key.
You can follow these steps to ensure you get the most out of the interview:
• Think carefully in advance about what will make you happy in the long term.
• Where do you currently stand, both personally and professionally?
• Do you think you will fit into the company culture? Will you feel at home there?
• What do you bring to the table? What can you add to the proposed role?

If you have thought these points through, you can dive straight into the conversation’s substance. If you’re still figuring this out during the interview, you risk being rejected for lacking direction or focus in the discussion. This causes confusion, leading to a poor match.
A good interview strikes a balance between giving and receiving. What does the company require? What does the role demand? And what does the professional bring? As a candidate, you should always ask yourself: “Do I really want to work here, even if they say yes?”

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Reading

As an entrepreneur, I have learned how important focus is. I mediate HR and IR professionals at the C-level and just below. That is my chosen niche, although it does not mean I never venture elsewhere. But it helps to have a clear business direction. One resource I found particularly helpful is the book ‘Focus ON/OFF’ by Mark Tigchelaar and Oscar de Bos.
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Watching

Business philosopher Chris Blackwell discusses the power of intrinsic motivation, which you can bring into an interview. Don’t focus on what the job gives you; focus on how it excites you.

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Akira’s Zuihitsu

I am Fleur Wolsink, owner of Akira Search, with a special connection to Japan. Every two weeks, I publish a Zuihitsu, a loosely formulated thought inspired by my field of work and my experiences in the world of executive search. Driving change and finding long-term solutions are recurring themes.
www.akirasearch.nl