Stop Bombing Interviews: The Mistake Almost Everyone Makes
Akinyi stared at the laptop, another rejection email. She felt like crying when she saw yet another “We have decided to move with another candidate.”
She looked at her CV, which was updated and reflected her achievements perfectly. Her skills were sharp. The interview? It felt like a different experience. One, she did not know how to navigate. The hard questions she was given, the stiff stares of panel members. All that pressure was enough to make even the most confident professional have some doubts. That’s what she told herself.
As she was venting, her friend introduced her to Corporate Staffing. Everything changed.
She is not alone. That is the story we hear from most people who book an interview coaching session. Countless candidates have discovered that it is not always about what you know. It is about how you communicate it.
Here is how we prepared Akinyi for her interview, which did not just go well; it led to real offers.
- From Rambling to Confidence
Before walking through the doors of Corporate Staffing, when an interviewer asked, “Tell us about yourself?” Her mind would go completely blank. She offered the interviewer a vague and short answer, then moved on.
We taught her the power of a structured story. We introduced her to the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). She used this method in her next interview, and her once shaky guesses turned into compelling evidence. The panel was very impressed.
2. Turn Your Weaknesses into Strengths
“What is your greatest Weakness? This is a classic question that is rarely missed in interviews. This particular question used to fill Akinyi with dread. Her answer was always the cliché: “I’m a perfectionist.”
Mary, our career advisor and coach, worked hand in hand with her to reframe this. Instead of a weakness, Mary told her to talk about a skill that she is actively developing.
This approach is honest, and the interviewer will relate to it more. It will show self-awareness and a commitment to grow.
3. The power of a mock interview
Interview tips are everywhere nowadays. Instead of just reading, practice them. We provided Akinyi with a realistic mock interview, which was tailored to her industry.
This was not just a friend asking questions. It was an extensive run-through with a seasoned coach. Akinyi was given constructive feedback on the spot and ways of making her answers more convincing.
From her body language, to the tone she uses, to the answers she gives. Mary provided immediate feedback on everything, and by the time she was walking to a real interview, she had done it a dozen times. The nerves she had before were replaced by prepared confidence.
What Next?
Just a few weeks after her coaching sessions, Akinyi had 2 interviews lined up. This time, things were different. She was prepared and ready to share her story with the panel.
The result? Not one, but two job offers. She is now thriving in a new role that she loves. What changed? It was never about her experience; it was how she was telling her story. That made all the difference.
Your story does not have to start with a rejection. If you, like Akinyi, have the skills but struggle when it comes to showcasing them under pressure, it is time to change your approach and seek professional help. Click here to schedule an interview session with our team and take the first step toward writing your own success story.