Returning to Work: Tackling the Interview | Career Series 3

Reentering the workforce after a break can feel overwhelming—but landing the interview means you're already halfway there. 
In this episode, we’ll walk together through how to prepare for your next job interview with calm, confidence, clarity, and a strategy that helps you stand out. 

We’ll talk about how to share your story, highlight the strengths you've built along the way, and approach every question with authenticity and grace. 

Because reentering the workforce isn’t about proving yourself—it's about trusting yourself. 

You have so much to offer—and today, we’ll make sure you’re ready to show it. 

Contact Cathy at https://www.moreformidlifers.com/contact/

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:09

Welcome to more, the podcast for midlifers like you who want to feel seen, be heard, and move forward. Hi, I'm Kathy, certified leader, career advisor, and midlife mentor with over 20 years in human resources. And I'm here to share my knowledge and experience with you and guide you through the steps to re-enter the workforce and thrive once you're there. This is part three of our career series. And today's episode is about re-entering the workforce after an absence. Maybe you've taken time off for family, or you've decided to shift gears and go from full-time to part-time. Perhaps you've been downsized by your previous company. But you're coming back. And after you've done the work, sent out the resume, submitted applications, and waited, finally you've landed an interview. Congratulations! Your resume was stellar, and now it's time to show them why you're the right choice. As a midlifer, you bring something powerful to the table. You're starting from experience. No matter what industry you're in, your previous skills are of value to the new employer. So you're already ahead of the game. In this episode, I'll give you six ways that midlifers should prepare for your interview. Being prepared will calm your nerves, overcome self-doubt, and give you confidence. Going back to work does not have to be daunting, it's exciting. But first, let's talk about getting in the right frame of mind. Let's do an exercise together. Think about some of your personal or professional successes and achievements and name three. Nailing a new account could be passing an exam, watching your child graduate, meeting a stringent deadline. I'd like you to create a mental vision board of all these things and remind yourself that they didn't happen by accident. They were the result of your efforts, your tenacity, perseverance, and belief in yourself and your faith and family. You've overcome the odds to get here. Be proud and draw upon these successes before you embark upon something big, something challenging, like going on a job interview or starting a new job. Or glance at this list before your meeting to reaffirm your abilities and eliminate self-doubt. I promise it works. So now let's talk about how interviews have changed. If you've been away for a while, you probably don't know that today's interviews consist of three and four and sometimes five parts. There's the initial video screener, an assessment, a one-on-one remote or in-person interview, and possibly even a group or panel interview. Be ready to meet with people who are younger than you, which means they may have preconceptions about your skills and adaptability, but not always. But it's all part of the process. You'll get through it. When I go on an interview or have to do a presentation, I try not to let nerves or too much excitement distract me. So I prepare with a vengeance. Here are six tips that will help you prepare. Number one, research the company. And I don't mean just looking at the website and LinkedIn pages. I'm talking about studying to get a good understanding of their culture. Know their mission statement and values. Read the reviews from employees on Glassdoor. You learn a lot about the company that way. And also try to find out a little bit about their leadership, who the CEO is. Information gathered about the company will prepare you to answer the standard interview question that always comes up. Why do you want to work here? Number two, practice answering the commonly asked interview questions. There are a few online sources, some of them are industry specific, but I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to prepare for those questions. And if you can, role play with a friend so you build confidence in your answers. I've heard lots of employers say that they hear candidates answer, I don't know, a lot. Or, hmm, I have to think about that one. You know that those are red flags. When you think about all the candidates out there and how much competition there could be for a job, it just makes it easier for them to say no hire. Here are some examples of some of the questions specific to midlifers re-entering. One, why should we hire you? Okay. Another one, why did you leave your last job? Here's another one. If you're re-entering after an absence, what have you done the last seven years? And what prompted your return? So tell the truth about your absence. And if you're taking classes or improving skills or volunteering, you want to mention that too, because that's a plus. Talking about financial issues generally is not a good idea. But mentioning skills learned in your absence is very good. When asked about your long-term, short-term goals, mention your commitment to a long-term position beyond five years. Reassure the team by mentioning the aspects of the job or company that you find appealing or exciting and attractive, such as the remote possibilities or flexibility. Resist the temptation to share retirement goals. If age comes up, and it shouldn't by law, try to steer the focus away from age and toward experience. And you might want to mention how you've adapted and thrived in all the changes that have happened in the workplace in recent years. You may be asked about your strengths and weaknesses. And when you talk about your weaknesses, it's always a good idea to talk about the solution, what you're doing about it. A candidate I know mentioned that he stays late almost every day to meet deadlines, but that he's working on figuring out a way to accomplish tasks more efficiently and improving his work-life balance. And that's a good answer because he mentions his weakness and what he's doing to improve. You may be given midlife-specific questions. And if you are, remain positive. Questions such as, are you comfortable learning new technology? Well, are you? An answer such as, well, it depends on the type of software. Or it depends on the type of technology that may seem logical to you, but what they really want to know is if you're keeping up with new technology, if you've taken or plan to take any classes or certifications and things like AI or new officer career-related software. Because what they're looking for really is your ability to be adaptable and flexible and open to learning whatever it is that they want to train you on. Basic skills like managing an online calendar or setting up an online meeting are taken for granted these days. And so if you need to brush up on these and others, now would be the time to do so. According to author James Marsh, it's inevitable that multi-generational workforces will soon be the norm. Get ahead of the curve and show that you're comfortable being interviewed by and working with people who are 10, 20, or even 30 years younger. Celebrate that you're experienced with a forward-thinking outlook. Number three, apply in your questions. Good questions to show that you're serious and that you're interested. Refer to your notes when you're asked questions. Mirror your interviewer's language by reflecting back on some of the issues that they brought up. Show genuine curiosity about the role of the company and how you might be able to solve a problem that they say they're having and show that you're already thinking like part of the team. Questions about the position might be what does success look like in this role in the first six months? That's a good question. Another one would be how does the company support professional development? Also, can you explain how you give feedback? Or can you tell me more about the training that you offer? Whatever you do, resist the urge to ask questions about salary and bonus expectations, even when not mentioned in the job posting. It's really best to wait until the interviewer brings it up first. Speaking of bonuses, I know someone who took his entire staff on an exotic trip every year instead of giving them a monetary bonus at the end of the year. I would go into their office and I would see beautifully framed pictures of the places that they had been together, photos of the staff in front of the Taj Mahal or on a beach in Hawaii. And one year he even took them on a diving expedition in Fiji. I just thought that was amazing. This boss obviously wanted his staff to experience life in ways they would never have done on their own. Isn't that amazing? Number four, prepare your professional look. Dress appropriately for the role. Even if the interview isn't remote, always remember first impressions count. I know someone who always wears her best shoes when having Zoom meetings. She says that they make her feel like a million bucks. It works for her, so it'd probably work for you too. Your online presence is also important, and that includes your LinkedIn profile and your social media. Don't sabotage your wins with a careless presentation of yourself with photos and irresponsible rants on social media. Those can be misunderstood because employers do check. And what they find can influence whether you get the offer or not. I did that when I was in HR and learning about the candidates who are applying for positions where I worked. You can learn a lot about a candidate going into their social media. Employers check for signs of professionalism and whether or not you could represent the company well. You're not just applying for a job now, you're creating an impression. And the candidate who brings confidence, clarity, and care, that's the one they remember the most and the one that they want to hire. Number five, if you're going on an in-person interview, know who you'll be meeting, know the route that you'll be taking, and how much travel you're going to need. Get there early enough to collect yourself, read your notes, listen to music that lights you up and puts a pep in your step, as they say. And if it's a Zoom meeting, test your technology beforehand. If you plan to share your screen, do a dry run, even if you know your equipment will work. There's nothing more frustrating than finding your camera or audio isn't working and the interview team is waiting and you're in a panic. They look at things like timeliness, resourcefulness, and respect for your interview team. These are qualities that are very important. And number six, your general demeanor. Have a positive attitude, be friendly, be calm, put aside the tendency to be intense or to overthink or be overly assertive. Make small talk. No one wants to dive right into the interview, so be prepared to talk about the weather or compliment them on their beautiful campus. The interview is a two-way street. While they're evaluating you, you should be evaluating them and whether they're a good fit for you. Look around the room. Chances are there will be a few people there, even in the Zoom meeting. Speak to each of them by name. Tell them why you want this job and what it is about the company that appeals to you. You're here because you're qualified and they want you to succeed. If they didn't think you could do the job, they wouldn't waste their time interviewing you. This is your time in the spotlight, so get ready to shine. As a midlifer, you have a lot of experience, use it to build rapport with a hiring team. Treat them like peers, no matter their age or yours. Keep your answers brief. Don't overshare. As you're talking with them, focus on the future, not the past. Don't lead with stories about outdated software, old procedures that will date you. New office environments are filled with forward-thinking people, young and seasoned, who are open to change. Your ability to adapt and be flexible would be an asset. Let your energy, curiosity, enthusiasm do the talking. That's what makes you stand out, and that's what they will remember. Now, here's a bonus for you. Want to set yourself apart? Well, you've got to give a little extra. And by that I mean go the extra mile. After submitting your initial online application, follow up with a call or even a visit to the hiring manager. In retail, this is a good rule of thumb. Random visit the retail store, introduce yourself to the manager, tell them do you really want work there and why? That will help them put a face with the name. One person I know did that and she got an interview on the spot. This can happen to you too. Go the extra mile and send a thank you email to the hiring team after the interview. Not many people do this, but it sets you apart, it lets them know you're interested, and it'll make you memorable. The email should suggest that they contact you if they need any clarification and sign off with how you're looking forward to hearing from them. That shows initiative. Take notes, think about what you can do to enhance the role and deliver what they need. Receive what they have to say about the position. Learn, be open to their concerns, put yourself in their shoes and show them that you're already thinking like you're part of the team by giving examples of what you've done in the past that will add value. Your contribution to the job will be that of delivering what they need. Not about you here. It's about them. Let me give you an example of a problem that a candidate wished to lend their expertise in during the interview. It was with a sales team. And this is what he had to say. Well, Mr. Smith, I believe I can be a real asset to your team because I've been in a similar situation. At my last company, I was part of a recovery retention team after a major setback that cost the company revenue. We worked hard, we've rebuilt trust and restored performance. And I'd like to bring some of that focus here. What could be a better answer than that? Employers are realizing the value that midlifers can bring to the workforce now more than ever. They're bringing things like less time off sick, greater flexibility, dependability, willingness to work. They have great follow-through, tend to stay until a job is done, or with meeting a deadline. You are equipped with the unposted skills that every employer wants. The skills that you have right now. So here's to you as you discover what fits you right now and where your experience, skills, and purpose can shine. This is more than a step forward for you. It's a leap. So take it, and I'll be right here cheering you on. If you'd like additional tools and support for navigating career and life transitions, join the Facebook group More for Midlifers who want to live more and give more, like you. And if you're feeling overwhelmed or need a fresh perspective, reach out through the contact me page. Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to turn everything around. Thank you for joining me today, and I'll see you in the next episode of More.