Interview preparation is not designed to turn you into a plastic “Have a nice day” soul-less check out clone. It is designed to bring out the best in you, to identify you skills and experience and help you to tell your story well. To make sure you do not undersell yourself. To give you the confidence and the self belief that you need to stand out (in a good way) during your interview. To differentiate you from the competition.

That’s my job. And I love it.

I work with a variety of people helping them to prepare for interviews. People who want to go into politics, graduates looking for their first job and people looking for their next job for whatever reason.

There is much to work on. Their dress, voice and demeanour. Their attitude. Their CV, covering letter and the interview follow up email. Their motivations, skills and experience. And whether or not they fit the culture of the company. Plus of course, their stories, their delivery and how they handle Q & A.

Coaching is tough on the coaching day. Both the client and I are normally whacked by the end of the day. It is intense and there is no place to hide as it is a one to one session. But the joy and jubilation when my clients get their job is amazing and makes it absolutely worth it for us both.

Today I received an interview follow up email from another client who had just got the good news. This client would prefer to stay anonymous as do many of my clients. That is the client’s right – every time. I outline why discretion is a good thing here – the client should be the story, not me!!

…thought you might like to know that I’ve had my job at xxx confirmed … Anyhow I just want to say “thank you” again! Without your help I would have crashed and burned at the interview and would never have got this wonderful opportunity.