Title:Interview Coaching: Is it really worth the money?
Author:Barbara Adams, CPRW, CEIP, MFRW, MMRW, MFCA-T
Date:April 2016
Source:www.militaryresumewriters.com and www.careerproplus.com
As we've discussed before, a stellar resume can cost a chunk of change and exactly why you need to consider it an investment in your future. Allow me to remind you of this quote by Austin Kiplinger:
"Look at your career as your primary investment. Keep your earning power at its highest level. The money you spend doing this will return more to you than all other investments you are likely to make. You are your own best investment!"
Part of that investment may be in the form of interview coaching. If you aspire to move your career forward, you may ask yourself, "Should I hire an interview coach?" You've got the perfect resume that's practically guaranteed to get you the big interview. And you believe you're ready to totally rock that interview.
"So what do I need with an interview coach? Are they really worth the money?" you ask yourself. It's an important question that only you can answer and an important decision to make for your career.
Look at it this way ...
No one in the sporting world would ever consider competing without a coach. It's unheard of. Even if it's just a mentor or merely an advisor; an athlete is not an island, no matter how much talent he or she possesses. The best athletes in the world don't see the question as relevant. In other words, it's a no-brainer.
Now, you may have the best resume in the world, proven by your education and vast experience. You may think you're ready to rock the interview, and that's great. But then the doubts start to creep in and your confidence is shaken.
Your future is riding on this opportunity. You may not ever get another shot like it so you've got to "nail the audition." Many of the greatest actors to ever grace our presence with their abilities honed their raw talent by using an acting coach.
If you follow the logic, it certainly makes sense to pursue the services of an interview coach. Let's talk about the definition of a coach.
So, what exactly IS a coach?
According to Merriam-Webster, a coach is "a person who teaches and trains an athlete or performer."
You likely have a picture in your head of a famous coach like Vince Lombardi ... or Don Shula ... or maybe Chuck Knoll (can you tell I'm a football guy?). What does that picture reveal about the term coach?
Yelling ... or directing ... maybe giving orders ... encouraging ... cheering ... and probably chewing someone's a$$. Whatever it is, the goal is always the same. WIN THE GAME—whatever it takes, as long as it's ethical and legal—WIN THE GAME!
A team doesn't win the Super Bowl without a coach. The biggest tennis stars always have their coaches present at the match. Any sport in the world, whether team or solo, has a coach to lead the players. They provide guidance in competition—and in life.
Olympic athletes are some of the most talented in the world. But talent still requires a coach. Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson—some of the best basketball players ever—relied on their coaches to take them to the next level.
They would be the first to admit that they wouldn't have what they have without their coaches. They understand the value that a coach brings to raw talent. A coach's job is to recognize that talent, focus on the basics, and build from there.
Once again, according to Merriam-Webster,
"A coach is a private teacher who gives someone lessons in a particular subject."
An interview is a performance just like anything else. You have the talent, qualifications, education, and experience and you've proven that in your resume. But now it's time to perform. It's time for the audition.
So the question is not "should I hire an interview coach?" The question is this, "Where can I find the right interview coach for me?"
The resume is designed specifically to get you the interview but it won't help you ace the interview. That's where coaching is critical. CareerPro Global Career Coaches can help you prepare for targeted interviews, behavioral-based interviews, or general interviews.
What if you were asked these questions:
"Why should we hire you?"
"Tell us about a situation in which you didn't agree with your manager."
"Describe a time you had to deal with a difficult employee."
(CareerPro Plus-Basic Interview Coaching)
All relevant questions, so let's touch briefly on three different types of interview coaching.
Practice Interviewing
This is a mock interview with a set of questions based on the position you're currently targeting. The focus is on key behavior-based interview questions. A live evaluation is conducted to examine responses. The coach then provides constructive feedback designed to raise awareness of deficiencies and reinforce strengths. The goal is to assist with positive examples from previous employment to help illustrate necessary skill sets for the targeted position.
Basic Interview Coaching
Do you have flaws in your communication style? There could be things you may not be aware of that can sabotage your efforts toward a successful interview. The General Interviewing Insights Assessment (GIIA) will make you aware so you can take the steps to move forward confidently. And that confidence will translate to success in your next interview. The assessment takes just a few minutes and can be taken from where you're sitting right now.
Behavioral-Based Interview Coaching
This type of coaching places more emphasis on behavioral interview questions that delve into the "what would you do in this scenario" or "name a time when you disagreed with your boss and how did you handle that?" They're asking you to describe your behavior in the typical business environment. Your answers to these questions tell interviewers what they need to know about how you interact with others.
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If you've made the decision to invest in an interview or career coach, congratulations! Simply click here to get started today!
