Practice Interviews Make Perfect Interviews

by Debra Wheatman on Mar 31, 2010 in Job Interviews

Maybe you have a job that you like and are just testing the waters; maybe you got a bad review and think it’s time to move on; maybe you are hearing rumors of yet another round of layoffs (YAROL); or maybe you are out of work, but not desperate enough and can still afford to be picky.

So, you see an opportunity that is at or below your level, or something about the job description doesn’t seem a good fit, or maybe you just aren’t all that interested.  No matter what the case – DO NOT blow it off.  Send in your resume and if they call you for an interview – GO!  You may think taking the time to go for an interview for a job you don’t really need or want is a waste of your time.  And, if it requires you to take a vacation/sick day you don’t have, or if it’s a 60-mile drive to the office, you may be right.  But otherwise, practicing is always a good idea.

After all, Mariano Rivera doesn’t head to the mound without throwing a few dozen pitches in the bullpen; Morten Andersen never came out on the field without kicking a bunch of balls into that silly little net before being asked to kick the game winner in OT – so why should you go into the interview for the job you really want, cold as ice?

The hiring process has changed.  We see more phone screening; we see more serial interviews; we see more full days of 360 degree interviews.  As the old adage goes – “how do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice, practice, practice.  So get your game face on, get ready, get set, GO!

Debra Wheatman

CPRW, CPCC and President of Careers Done Write, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career road maps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries. Visit careersdonewrite.com to learn more.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts