In his book, Success is a Choice, Rick Pitino writes about what Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan had in common. “The common denominator that these three share is that their presence raises the level of performance of all the others. That is the great thing,” Pitino said.
Johnson, Bird and Jordan transferred their energy level to their teammates when they were in the game. That energy was transferred when they made an incredible pass, dived for a loose ball, or threw an off-balance jump shot at a critical point in a game.
Some people think that you show energy when you yell, yell, or slap someone on the back. But these three athletes showed that energy level has nothing to do with slapping on the back or yelling. Energy level is all about intensity and focus.
Just as these basketball greats transferred their energy level to their teammates, you will need to transfer their energy level to the interviewer. The level of energy you bring to an interview will have a big effect on a potential job offer.
When you meet with an interviewer, your ability to transfer energy will cause you to have:
More energy,
The same amount of energy, or
Less energy
If you leave the hiring manager with more energy, you will leave the interviewer with a positive impression. If you leave the hiring manager with the same amount of energy or less energy, start submitting other resumes because you won’t get a job offer unless the hiring manager is desperate to fill the position.
Here are 11 ways you can bring a lot of energy to an interview:
1. Have an attitude that says, “I deserve to win.” You think you deserve the job offer. Do your homework on the company and the position. Determine how you will add value to the company.
2. Practice for the interview. Think about the questions you would ask if you were the hiring manager. Practice your answers with family or friends.
3. Speak a little louder than normal at first. Talking a little louder will generate more energy on your part.
4. Write in the notepad that you are going to use in the interview: ENERGY! Every time you see the word ENERGY, it will remind you to keep thinking about transferring your energy level to the hiring manager.
5. Stay in the present moment. Our inner critic likes to live in the past or in the present. The inner critic always reminds us of the “what ifs” if we start thinking about the future. And the inner critic likes to operate on the past by saying, “You shouldn’t have done that,” “or you should have.” The more time you can spend in the present before the interview, the more energy you will have. We quickly deplete our energy levels when we worry about the future or the past.
6. Use self-guided viewing. See yourself in the interview by connecting with the hiring manager. Visualize them both enjoying the process.
7. Shake hands firmly, look the interviewer in the eye and smile. These 3 actions allow the interviewer to immediately know your energy level. They won’t guarantee the job, but not doing so will guarantee a short interview.
8. Use positive self-talk. Use “I am” statements before the interview. Say to yourself: “I am energetic, I am positive, I am confident. Repeat this mantra until you start to believe it.”
9. Focus on what you can do to make the interview a great experience for you and the hiring manager. Participate fully in the process. You want both parties to feel like they just had a great conversation.
10. Get enough sleep the night before the interview. Most doctors recommend 7 to 8 hours each night. Consistently sleeping fewer hours will cause fatigue.
11. Exercise. Take a quick walk before the meeting. Breathing deeper will help bring more oxygen to your lungs. That oxygen will then be transported to your limbs.
Think of Larry, Magic, and Michael the next time you walk into an interview. Bring a level of energy to the interview that says, “I deserve the job offer.” When you do, you have a good chance of putting a “W” in the winning interview column.
