The truth is most job hopefuls spend an inordinate amount of time and energy on their resumes in order to get an interview but do little about honing their interview  and communication skills to get the job at the interview. They believe, foolishly, that they are going to get hired based on their qualifications alone. There could be no less truth to that belief.

In fact, the opposite is more the truth: an individual who is personable, has effective communication skills, is receptive in their manner and exudes confidence is more likely to be hired even if their qualifications aren’t the best. That’s where the MIND SET kicks in: you can’t communicate effectively, or brilliantly, for that matter, unless you have a POSITIVE self image, and MIND SET.

These same job hopefuls often neglect to address two critical issues before going into an interview: their mind-set and anxiety level. This is a sure way to sabotage any chance at success. If you are not completely confident, if you have not done the interview preparation  work or the practice necessary before going into an interview, your stress level will show – if merely by the absence of confidence. And if your mindset is negative, that will read too: with a negative mindset you’re just setting yourself up for failure – and for even more anxiety.

The sad truth is that these individuals often do arrive unprepared and un-practiced in their interviewing skills, hoping to ‘just wing it’ – or they’ll focus more on the outfit they plan to wear (or even worse – not at all!) thereby doing everything but putting their ‘best foot forward’.

A key point to consider is that merely reading about improving your interviewing skills or listening to audio CDs will not affect lasting change in your ability to win over a potential employer. The only way to change a negative behavioural pattern is to replace it with another, more POSITIVE one – and that takes time, effort, diligence and practice, practice, practice. It’s not however, impossible!

If you change the way you act (activating a new mindset), you’ll change the way you think. And if you change the way you think, you’ll establish a new paradigm or belief system about yourself, and emerge with a new view – and a new you, who’s fully confident in their dramatically improved communication skills.

To view other videos in the “Marketing You” Video Series about marketing yourself to employers and recruiters please view Introduction to Marketing You, Success and Creative Visualization, 60 Second Pitch,  Job Interview Tips, Resume Writing and Resume Cover Letters videos. The next video in this series is Self Observation and Creative Visualization for Job Interviews.

You may also want to download one of our Marketing You FREE E-books or visit our vast Resources Section including Tax Tip Videos and the Interview Coach articles.