It's interview time and you got there through your network. A hiring manager as a skilled interviewer is going to be looking for the confidence and leadership you
demonstrate in the interview because it predicts how you'll perform for the company.
If you negotiate masterfully for
yourself, you'll do the same on their behalf.
6 Steps for Staying on Track With Your Positioning
1. Take Command from the Start
Confirm timing expectations
immediately. This demonstrates time management and strategic thinking while giving you control of the conversation flow. You're responsible for ensuring the discussion hits the most important aspects of your qualifications.
2. Position Your Introduction Through Your Network
If you were referred, leverage it: "Sarah recommended me because she's seen me lead digital transformations for the past decade and the impact it had on our company's market
position."
3. Take the Lead Early in the Conversation
Tell me about yourself." can be answered with the most important information about you with a focus on their biggest challenges today. Ask them what they are and tell them about you within that framework State how you can solve their challenges! Pull from your achievements with specific stories using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). For example, what revenues were
generated, what cost efficiencies were realized?
4. Lead the Conversation and Avoid an Interrogation
Have 3-5 open-ended questions that create dialogue and shift the dynamicfrom Q&A to conversation with open ended questions like these:
"Out of the projects we discussed, what would you like to accomplish in the first three months?"
"How has the company provided career path opportunities over the last three years?"
5. Navigate with Strategic Stories
Your networking practice pays off here. Keep stories strategic rather than drowning in details.
Use the chunking method: frame the categories to
convey leadership thinking and relate them to their challenges.
6. Close with Confidence
Demonstrate your leadership
to the very end; Before the interview concludes, ask:
"Based on our conversation today, how do you feel about my candidacy?"
"If new questions come up, can I call you directly?"
That second question is powerful. It demonstrates courage, kicks the relationship up a notch,
and establishes direct communication with the hiring manager vs. the recruiter.
The Winning Mindset
Show your leadership value. Connect the dots by demonstrating your understanding of their challenges and leading them to new possibilities.
It's time to navigate to the win---
Bring out the leader you are because it may not be showing up in your career search today.
That's were I can help you recognize the opportunities in front of you. It's a good investment in creating wins throughout your career.
