On valentine’s day 2017, I flew 6 hours from New York to Seattle…for an interview. So in some way, an interview is also a date.
The interview lasted six hours, including a lunch accompanied by one of the interviewers. It’s not my style to talk about myself non-stop for hours, but that was the format of that interview.
Obviously I did well because I got the job.
Most of my recent business trips are to either meet clients or do public speaking. Out-of-town interviews and speaking engagements are more challenging because the stress increases when you are in an unfamiliar environment.
And here are what I learned on how to stand out and nail an out of town interview:
1. Fly in the day before the interview
Don’t take the last flight. In case your flight is canceled, you need a backup which always gives you peace of mind.
Try to arrive at the hotel by early evening. If you have time, go to the interview venue and familiarize your self with the route.
Sleep early. You need the energy to handle unexpected situations during your interview. A good night’s sleep will give you a full day of battery.
2. Rehearsal last call
If you are trying to remember your speech or interview answers, cut off 24-hours before the interview. On the day before interview should be all about dealing with travel and having a good rest.
After a 24-hour break, your brain can memorize the content better. When you deliver the content, you’ll sound more natural and confident. You’ll look like you OWN it, rather than trying to follow the script.
3. You will miss lunch
Yes, even if the agenda includes a lunch break. Your previous interview session can run over, the food can arrive late, etc. Your most important lunch will always live Murphy’s law: whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.
Make sure you have a full breakfast, bring dark chocolate and almond. These snacks fill you up quickly during interview breaks even if you miss lunch.
Part of the interview’s intention is to see how long you can last under stress.
4. Have a clothing plan B
If you can’t decide what to wear to the interview, just bring two options. Plan B always gives you peace of mind. So you can focus on preparing for the interview rather than making or regretting over packing choice.
Good luck!
Hey, I’m Tess, an entrepreneur, and owner of Delicate Revolt, where I share 1. Lessons learned by an entrepreneur; 2. How to achieve energy, efficiency, and style on business travels. Welcome to the Revolt!
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