Well Counselor

Do you have an interview coming up for a counseling job? Maybe you just recently graduated from your counseling program and it’s your first professional job interview, or maybe you are entering the job search after being in the same position for a long time and would like to feel more prepared. This blog is for you. You will feel more confident going into your interview if you do just a little bit of preparation beforehand. Here are 5 tips to help you feel more calm and confident heading into your interview.

Do your research

Always research the organization. You should find out as much as possible before going into the interview. You should know about the typical client population that the organization serves, the services they provide- anything you can find out from reviewing their website or social media. If you can’t find much information on their website (some agencies do not have the resources for an up to date, fancy website), search the name of the organization and read any news stories or reviews that come up. You can learn a lot about the organization from these additional sources as well. Keep in mind that you should still follow up on these questions during the interview to confirm that it is accurate. It also shows you did your research if you phrase your questions like: “So I saw on your website that you provide xyz services to clients. Can you tell me more about that?” Use your interview to learn more about the organization, especially if you didn’t find much during your research.

Dress professionally

Always dress up a bit. You want to look your most professional- whatever that looks like for you. This doesn’t mean that you have to wear a full suit or dress in a way that is inconsistent with your personality. Just dress in a way that you feel is putting your best foot forward. Once you are employed at the organization, you will likely be able to dress more casually, but it always better to be dressed as professionally as possible during that first impression. If you dress unprofessionally, it could portray that you are not prepared or don’t know how to operate in a professional work setting. Be sure you are comfortable and feel confident in what you wear. Try everything on prior to your interview to be sure the clothes fit and are clean and pressed. 

Over plan logistics

Double-check ahead of time that you have the address and time of your interview. You should know whether it is a virtual interview or in person. If it is virtual, be sure you have the appropriate link. Believe it or not but sometimes the interviewer forgets to send the link ahead of time and doesn’t realize it. Also be sure that whatever will be in the background of your virtual interview is tidied up and looks professional. Just like you want to put your best foot forward with how you dress, you want to be sure that your background isn’t distracting and represents your most polished self. You may also want to give a heads up to any roommates so that you don’t have someone yelling or bursting into your bedroom while you are in the interview.

If the interview is in person, be sure you know where it is and plan to arrive early. If you are able, you may even want to practice your route to be sure you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there. This can help alleviate some of the pre-interview anxiety. Other helpful tips include putting gas in your car or money on your metro card the night before the interview. Do everything ahead of time that will set you up for a smooth commute. 

Ask Questions

You should definitely come prepared with questions for the interviewer. You will always be asked if you have questions at some point during the interview. If you don’t have any, they may think you aren’t very interested or are unprepared. Even more importantly, you are interviewing the organization just as much as they are interviewing you. You have to ask questions to learn more about if the job is a good fit for you. If you already have a long list of questions for your upcoming interview, that’s great! If not, then check out the Job Interview Questions worksheet for some recommended questions to get you started.

Exhale and Follow Up

After your interview is over, be sure to take a deep breath, exhale, and relax your muscles that may have been tensed up during the interview. Maybe even reward yourself with one of your favorite self-care activities to decompress. Once you have done that, send a thank you email within 24-48 hours of the interview. Thank the interviewer for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. You should portray confidence and gratitude. Then you wait. Keep in mind that it is ok to check in if you don’t hear back from the interviewer in a week or whenever they said they would get back to you (Hint: this is one of the questions on the Job Interview Question worksheet). 

Final Thought: Take care of yourself

One last bonus tip: Let’s reinforce the use of healthy self-care and coping strategies as you prepare for your interview. Applying for jobs can be a stressful time, and interviews can be a little scary. Do what you need so that you are in your best mental state for the interview. Plan to get a good night’s sleep. Eat a nutritious breakfast. Avoid drinking too much coffee so you aren’t jittery during the interview. These are just a few examples, so brainstorm what will set you up for success. What helps you feel calm and prepared? Whatever that is- consider implementing those strategies in the days leading up to your interview. Be gentle with yourself as you manage your own emotions related to the job search process. You’ve got this. 

For more on the counseling job search process, read other blogs on this topic: 5 Questions to Expect in Your Counseling Job Interview, How to Find a Job at a Mental Health Organization, Choosing Your First Counseling Job