9 tips from sports to crack your interview

NEW DELHI: Preparing for your dream job interview is similar to a world class athlete who wants to make it big in his event on Olympic day. If clearing your interview and getting a job is the event, what can you learn from elite athletes?
Training
No athlete turns out for his race without any training. The more important the race, the longer is the training.Preparation involves understanding your resume, drawing up a list of questions based on your past and preparing answers to them. Check the job description and requirements for the role and prepare answers accordingly.
Know your science
An athlete is a master of the science behind his sport. He knows the right skills, the impact of diet, which muscles to exercise, and which medicines are allowed. Figure out the science behind the interview. Research online and speak to current and ex-employees to learn about the process, the potential interviewers and the decision criteria.
Coach
No athlete has ever made it to the elite level without the support of a coach or a team of coaches. Your interview coaches can include relevant professionals like a team manager/ HR friend from the same industry or colleagues and friends from other industries who have either been interviewers or have tons of interview experience.
Gym work
An essential training tool of the athlete is the time spent in the gym building muscle or cross training across sports. As a job-seeker, it is wise to brush up on professional knowledge about your function and role. Thereafter, practice on written case studies, aptitude tests and group discussions related to your role even if the interview does not require it.
Extend in practice
An athlete practicing for the 100 metre race, runs 110 metres in his practice sessions. The extra 10 metres ensure he does not drop his pace while breasting the tape on race day. Similarly, stretch yourself when preparing for the interview. Prepare at least three stories for questions like – tell me about a time when you resolved conflict between your colleagues.
Bad weather prep
An elite athlete knows sometimes the race day throws up the unexpected. Sometimes it is bad weather, or the race is rescheduled or the spectators are booing him. Prepare for the unexpected in an interview. What if the interviewer asks for a 2-minute elevator pitch on why you should be selected? Or the interview is rescheduled to be held in a coffee shop or over Skype?
Visualisation
No athlete can practice for endless hours each day. The rest of the time they practice visualising the race video – how the race feels, how it sounds and then run through the race in their minds. Likewise, visualise your entire interview from start to finish. Do it multiple times.
Warm-up competitions
An athlete participates in multiple competitions and multiple race distances in the four-year run-up to the Olympics. This helps him learn about his strengths vis-à-vis the competition while getting feedback on what’s working and what’s not. Before your dream job interview, go through multiple other interviews to sharpen your technique.
Pre-race day
One day before the big race, the athlete has his kit ready, diet planned and a schedule planned to ensures adequate sleep. Before your interview day, you should have your clothes ready, resume and certificates sorted and arranged in a file. You should plan to reach the venue 15 minutes in advance. Don’t forget to rest well and have nutritious food.
(The writer is founder and CEO at QuezX.com and HeadHonchos.com)