Why Being Good at Your Job Doesn't Always Make You Good at Interviews
Have you ever walked out of an interview thinking, "Why did I say that?" or "I should have mentioned this!"
Perhaps your mind went completely blank, you struggled to find the right words, or you simply didn't come across as the person you know you are.
And the most frustrating part? You don't really understand why it happened or how to stop it happening again.
You know you can do the job. So why is it sometimes so difficult to demonstrate that in an interview?
Being good at your job and being good at interviews are different skills
You might have years of experience, be excellent at what you do and have plenty to offer an employer.
But an interview puts you in a very different situation.
At work, people get to know your capabilities over time. They see how you solve problems, handle difficult situations, make decisions and contribute to the business.
In an interview, you have a relatively short amount of time to communicate those abilities to people who may know very little about you.
And that's not always easy.
I've interviewed many capable people throughout my career, and one thing I've learned is that someone's ability to do a job isn't always reflected in how well they perform at interview.
It's not always about preparation
When an interview doesn't go well, the natural response is often to prepare harder for the next one.
Read more about the company. Research more questions. Practise more answers.
And sometimes, that is exactly what's needed.
But what if preparation isn't the real issue?
What if you struggle to recognise your own achievements? What if you find it difficult to talk about yourself? Or what if something happens when you're under pressure that prevents you from communicating as clearly as you normally would?
These are different challenges, and they won't necessarily be solved by practising more questions.
Sometimes it's not what you know that's holding you back. It's what's happening when you try to communicate it.
Understanding what's getting in the way
Confidence is often mentioned when people talk about interview performance.
But telling someone to be more confident doesn't necessarily help them understand why they're struggling.
There can be all sorts of reasons why an interview doesn't reflect someone's true abilities.
Perhaps you underestimate your experience because the things you do well have become second nature. Perhaps you're worried about giving the wrong answer, or you find it difficult to explain your achievements without feeling uncomfortable.
Or perhaps you simply haven't had the opportunity to explore what's actually happening for you.
That's where coaching can make a difference.
Rather than assuming everyone needs the same interview preparation, coaching creates the opportunity to understand your individual challenges and work through what's holding you back.
Interview preparation from both sides of the table
I've spent over 20 years in senior leadership, recruiting, interviewing, managing and developing people.
I've been the person asking the questions, assessing candidates and making recruitment decisions.
I've also seen how easily talented people can undersell themselves, even when they have the experience and ability an employer is looking for.
As an ICF-trained coach, I combine that practical recruitment experience with professional coaching to help people prepare for interviews in a way that reflects their individual needs.
That might involve exploring confidence, recognising strengths, working through blockers or developing a clearer way to communicate experience.
Because interviews aren't about becoming someone you're not.
They're about giving an employer the opportunity to see what you genuinely have to offer.
Interview Coaching in Brighton & Hove and Online
If you've got an interview coming up and recognise some of these challenges, you don't have to work through them alone.
I offer focused interview coaching and preparation sessions, combining professional coaching with practical experience from the other side of the interview table.
Whether you're preparing for a new role, a promotion or a career change, we'll focus on what matters to you.
Explore my Interview Coaching & Preparation sessions, available online across the UK.
K James Coaching & Consultancy — practical support for your next career step. (www.kjamescoaching.co.uk)