Do a Full Mock Interview
For returning professionals who may not have interviewed in several years a full mock interview is one of the most valuable things you can do. The gap between how you imagine your answers will land and how they actually sound when spoken under mild pressure is often significant. You need to know where that gap is before you are in a real interview.
For returning professionals who may not have interviewed in several years a full mock interview is one of the most valuable things you can do. The gap between how you imagine your answers will land and how they actually sound when spoken under mild pressure is often significant. You need to know where that gap is before you are in a real interview.
Step by Step
Find someone to practice with. A former colleague, trusted friend, or mentor works well. If possible find someone who can give you honest and specific feedback rather than general encouragement.
If no practice partner is available record yourself. Do not stop the recording. The goal is to simulate real conditions.
Run through this sequence paying particular attention to the returning professional specific questions: Tell me about yourself (90 seconds, should naturally include your return) Why did you take a career break? How have you kept your skills current during your break? Are you up to date with the changes in this field? Walk me through your most relevant experience. Tell me about a challenge you navigated successfully in your professional life. What is your greatest professional strength? Where do you see yourself in three years? Why are you interested in this company specifically? What questions do you have for us?
Get specific feedback on: Does your gap explanation sound matter-of-fact and confident or hesitant and apologetic? Is your "how have you kept current" answer specific and credible? Do you sound genuinely energized and ready to return or uncertain and tentative? Are your examples from before your break presented with confidence? Do your answers run the right length (90 seconds to 2 minutes each)?
Identify your 2 weakest moments and practice those specifically until they improve.
Tips The gap explanation and the "how have you kept current" question are the two most important ones to get right. Practice them until they feel completely natural and calm. Examples from your pre-break career are entirely valid. A strong achievement from three years ago demonstrates exactly the same capability as one from three months ago. Video recording yourself is uncomfortable but genuinely useful. You will notice things about your delivery you would never catch otherwise.