Are you sure that your next interview will result in a job offer? For most of us, the answer is probably no! Interview success rates average about 10%.
How great would it be if your interviewer concluded with “Wow! That was impressive!”
Let’s start with 3 basic principles of sorting through opportunities by interviewing:
- Help them connect what they need most with what you do best.
- People prefer to hire people they like, so keep generating a positive attitude.
- Interviewing is a 2-way street. Interviewers learn about you. You learn about them.
Next, learn how to wow interviewers and employers. According to Jay Litton, the creator of the www.wowinterview.com, it’s as simple as PPQ:
- Be the Most Prepared
- Be the Most Passionate
- And also be Qualified
All candidates should meet minimum qualifications, but the biggest difference maker in getting an offer is your being prepared and passionate about the job, employer and opportunity to interview.
Be Prepared and Passionate
First, nothing shows preparedness and passion more than creating something especially for the interview, like a written WoW! Interview™ discussion guide. It can be as simple as a single sheet of paper with 4 points:
- The name of the employer, plus your name and the position in which you are interested.
- Share positive reasons why you think the employer is poised for success.
- What you can do for the employer – list 3 specific contributions you can make.
- Your career value and goals that match the opportunity the employer is offering.
The second way to demonstrate that you are prepared and passionate is to select STAR stories about your accomplishments that relate to the employer’s needs. For each of your accomplishments that illustrate what you can offer, answer these 4 questions:
- What was the Situation you faced?
- What was the Task to be accomplished?
- What were the Actions you took?
- What were the Results you got?
Third, do more homework on the employer as well as the work by visiting their website to read and print information about who they are, what they do, recent news, careers and their jobs. Search the Internet for more information. Call people in your network who may know the organization and people in it. Ask about key issues and trends. Think about what you will say and what you will ask.
Practice-Practice-Practice
Over the years we discovered 12 questions that interviewers often ask, so we have attached a PDF of our Interview Before the Interview exercise with questions, tips and talking points. Practice using the exercise at least three times before each interview…
- Once by yourself making notes on the outline with pen or pencil.
- Then with a friend with both of you referring to the outline.
- Finally, try answering without referring to your outline.
Praise and Pray
Thank and praise God for the opportunity to interview. Fill your heart with positive thoughts about how to serve the interests of the employer with what you do best. Remember, whatever is in your heart will show up on your lips…
The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good…
for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
Luke 6:45 NASB
More tips and tools
For more about successful interviewing, get a copy of our 7 Steps to Jobs, Careers and God’s Calling workbook. Turn to Step 6 on how to wow interviewers, and you will also learn about…
- 8 types of interviews
- 4 steps to engage interviews
- Dress for success inside and out
- Get ready for testing and referencing
- Prepare for the money talk
To sneak a peek at our workbook, download free sample PDF copy of Step 1 Upward.
Comments 20
I LOVE that you mention God/prayer and scripture!
Thank you!
I love love LOVE that you mentioned God 🙂 He’s everything…
Amen!
Thanks for the guide, especially with encouraging scripture from the bible because without the will of God we can not make it.
Praying for a job interview for me and my husband and our new house.
We are praying for you during your job transition. If you would like personalized support, we have Crossroads Career Guides available who would love to talk with you more about your specific needs. They can pray for you and encourage you, as well as assist you with networking, interviewing and resume help. If you are interested in having a free consultation (up to 45 minutes) with one of these experienced Guides, please click this link and fill out the form: Job Seeker Support Request (google.com)
Blessings,
Crossroads Career Support Team
All of the same for me & my husband & new home .
Will pray for us all.!!
Thanks for posting !!
Donna Anderson
Wonderful ideas !😊
I pray every day that I am thankful just to be here & try to help others when that opportunity shows up.
Trust is everything. I trust GOD TO HELP ME WITH
EVERY IMPORTANT THING. I EXPECT THE
UNEXPECTED & JUST SMILE TO MYSELF WHEN
THE UNEXPECTED TURNS OUT TO BE A GOOD THING !! 😀
Hi Donna, Thank you for reaching out to Crossroads Career. We are praying for you too.
Blessings,
Crossroads Career Support Team
Hi there. I just happened across your webpage and didn’t realize that Crossroads Careers was connected with your establishement. I am glad I went to the bottom of the page to see your last paragraph with Pray and Praise; that is the utmost definite confidence that filled my heart. Through infrastructure process, I lost my job of 31 years and at 59 yrs of age, it is difficult to reenter into the administrative workforce; however, I have an interview tomorrow with the Ministry of the Solicitor General for a receptionist/typist position with the Niagara Detention Centre. I would love your additional prayers on my behalf if the Lord allows this to transpire.
Many, Many thanks
Keep lookin up to our ultimate hope,
Hi Ruth, Thank you for reaching out to Crossroads Career. We are sorry to hear that you were laid off from your job of 31 years. We are praying for you during your job transition. If you would like personalized support, we have Crossroads Career Guides available who would love to talk with you more about your specific needs. They can pray for you and encourage you, as well as assist you with networking, interviewing and resume help. If you are interested in having a free consultation (up to 45 minutes) with one of these experienced Guides, please click this link and fill out the form: https://forms.gle/8cY9XwFbJ6BQ7JNd8.
Blessings,
Crossroads Career Support Team
I will be interviewing next week for a new job. GOD has told me that He is about to blow my mind. I am praising Him that this is what He is talking about. In the name of JESUS!
Thanks, Margaret, for reaching out. We are praying for you for your interview. If you would like personalized support, we have Crossroads Career Guides available who would love to talk with you more about your specific needs. They can pray for you and encourage you, as well as assist you with networking, interviewing and resume help. If you are interested in having a free consultation (up to 45 minutes) with one of these experienced Guides, please click this link and fill out the form: https://forms.gle/8cY9XwFbJ6BQ7JNd8
Blessings,
Crossroads Career Support Team
Love the this ” Praise and Pray”
Thank you 😊
My Manufacturing plant will be Closing in a few weeks. At 61 Years old I never thought I would be interviewing for an Engineering Job at a new company. I was very fortunate to find your website. As I came upon “Praise and Pray” I knew the Lord Jesus directed me. Amen
Hi Debbie,
Thank you for reaching out to Crossroads Career. If you would like personalized support, we have experienced Crossroads Guides available that would love to assist you with networking, interviews, resumes, compensation strategy, prayer, and spiritual encouragement. For a free consultation (up to 45 minutes), please click the link below to be scheduled with a Crossroads Guide.
https://forms.gle/8cY9XwFbJ6BQ7JNd8
Blessings,
Crossroads Career Support Team
My I get your prayers. I am going to interview for my first job in Social Work to help parents and children in need of services and resources in The Children’s Center in my state. Some of my qualifications are that I have worked in the children’s ministry in my church. I really loved and cared for the children and look forward to working with them again in my first professional job following my graduation from college.. I really want this position and look forward to the opportunity for training and growth in my career.
Thank you for this blessed ministry you have created.
Hi Lovicia,
We are praying for you during your job transition. If you would like personalized support, we have experienced Crossroads Guides available that would love to assist you with networking, interviews, resumes, compensation strategy, prayer, and spiritual encouragement. For a free consultation (up to 45 minutes), please click the link below to be scheduled with a Crossroads Guide: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOjsJUHwUCV3Nwp_b2AEHoSkr1VlYOmqqp8B0-iuOgQ2M3cA/viewform
Blessings,
Crossroads Career Support Team
Yes I agree with you, Praise and Pray! I have an interview this week but I am not worry about it because I know that what God will finish what he has started! I am ready for whatever happens because ““And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.