Interviewing can be a stressful situation for anyone especially for those in the Autism Spectrum. However it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips, which I call the 3 P’s of Interviewing, you can use when preparing for your next interview.
Prepare
Most people don’t prepare for an interview. Preparing for an interview means figuring out the logistics before the day of the interview. As soon as I find out the details like time, date, location, and person I’ll be meeting with, I start preparing. I make sure I clear out my calendar a couple of hours before and after so I won’t be rushed, I figure out how I will be getting to the interview (uber, drive myself, get a ride, or take bus), the best routes to get there, and start doing research on the job, company, AND the person I’ll be meeting with. Many people forget that you need to build rapport with the interviewer so having a good idea of who they are, how long they’ve worked at their current company, and their career history (all things easily found on LinkedIn) can mean the difference between an offer letter or a rejection email.
Which brings me to...
Practice
A quick Google search can help you find interview questions that you can use to practice. All you have to do is search “Interview Questions” + “Name of Company” and you’ll find the most common interview questions asked by that company.
The next step is to write out your answers. Most people “practice” interview questions in their heads, however they never develop the answer. This gets them in trouble during the interview because all they practice were the high points and not the details that make up a good answer.
Once you’ve written out your answers, practice out loud with a partner. This can help you figure out if your answer makes sense and if it gets the point across. Your interview partner can also give you feedback on your body language and tone of voice.
Don’t worry about memorizing a “script”. You should focus on making sure your answers portray the real you and match up to the job description.
Positive (as in “Stay Positive”)
A “No” doesn’t mean “Never”. It just means “Not right now.” Use this opportunity to reach out and ask for feedback from the interviewer to learn where you can improve. Most companies will provide feedback if you use the template below:
Send it directly to the people who you met with.
I've used this same exact email several years ago and I still think this last interaction with them made such a good impression that they called me back to offer me a new position literally 30 days later.
You can use that feedback when you prepare for your next interview. When you receive the response, a simple "Thank you for the feedback. I'll take this into account as I prepare for my other interviews." shows that you appreciate their input and that there aren't any hard feelings further cementing in their brains that you're a great candidate.
“Thank you once again for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. It looks like I was passed up for the NAME OF ROLE at NAME OF COMPANY, which is unfortunate but there is always a way to make a situation into a learning experience. As such, I would please ask that you provide me with any feedback you may have regarding our meeting and how I can improve in order to make a better impact either with NAME OF COMPANY or any other company I interview with in the future. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME”
When they respond, reply with this:
“Thank you for the feedback. I'll take this into account as I prepare for my other interviews
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME”
Remember, finding a job you love is making sure you find something that fits your needs as much as them finding someone that fits theirs. Make sure to test different approaches to find the one that best fits your skills and abilities.
Be Bold!
Ramon
P.S. And, whenever you’re ready... here are 4 ways we can help you turn job search anxiety into interviews, job offers, and self-confidence.
1. Watch my free charisma challenge course
For the next 3 days, I'm going to show you the steps you need to know to start building your network one day at a time. You will learn how to choose the right networking event for you that fits your personality and your career goals. You will know how to approach strangers and you will know how to start and end a conversation. You will know how to follow up. -> Click Here
2. Download my Instant Interview Coach E-book
I wrote this book to answer the most pressing questions people have about interviewing, how to manage their job search, and the best ways to answer the difficult interview questions you might get ("Why are you looking to switch jobs?"). I am only able to work with a limited number of people a month so this book is the perfect way to get all the advice and knowledge you need to be successful without having to book an appointment with me. Download the e-book by clicking here - > Instant Interview Coach: Your most pressing questions about interviewing answered!
3. Join our FREE Official Persuasive Interview Parents group and connect with other parents who are committed to helping their child find their dream co-op -> Click Here
4. Work with me 1-on-1
If you’d like to work directly with me to find your dream co-op... just schedule your complimentary “Persuasive Interview Consulting” Call with me so we can clarify your fastest path to finding your dream co-op and create a strategy for you to make it happen... Schedule your FREE call with me here -> Click Here To Schedule
