娇色导航

Landing a new job is a marathon, not a sprint, so it makes sense to prepare for interviews like an athlete would 鈥� deliberately, methodically and with lots of preparation.

鈥淭oo many job seekers we see approach this in a haphazard way: 鈥極h, I鈥檒l just send in my resume; if I鈥檓 qualified, someone will notice. Then, I鈥檒l interview, then I鈥檒l get hired,鈥� but it doesn鈥檛 work like that anymore,鈥� says Joe Weinlick, senior vice president at career search site Beyond.com.

In today鈥檚 job market, finding a new role can take time, lots of energy and discipline. Much like an Olympic athlete must overcome obstacles, handle frustration, setbacks and rejections and work hard to train and prepare for competition, so, too, must job seekers, says Weinlick. Here, he shares five tips to prepare for your job search like an Olympic athlete.

The job search process may include a rejection letter or two. Never hesitate to ask the hiring manager or recruiter why you weren鈥檛 selected for the job. It鈥檚 valuable feedback that can help prepare you for the next interview you land.

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鈥淵ou have to constantly practice, refine and hone your resume and learn from your mistakes. There will be frustration, there will be rejections and you have to accept that and learn from that. Every single job you apply for can be a lesson in how to up your odds, so take advantage of the opportunity to improve your performance,鈥� he says.

Be sure to get the perfect outfit ready, freshen up your hair and print out copies of your resume. Mock interviews and in-depth research into the company are also crucial for mental preparation, Weinlick says.

鈥淚f you look professional and confident, that鈥檚 how you鈥檒l feel. Just like how athletes always wear suits on game day, you should put your best, most polished and stylish foot forward to make a killer first impression,鈥� Weinlick says.

While 鈥済et a good night鈥檚 sleep鈥� is great advice whether you have an interview or not, sometimes nerves can take over, especially the night before a big interview. Instead, try and get a solid night of rest two nights before your interview so that you have some energy reserves in case you don鈥檛 sleep the night before, Weinlick says.

鈥淵ou need to make sure you鈥檙e well-rested, well-fed and have some energy for the big interview. Unlike an athlete, you have the advantage of scheduling an interview at an optimal time, so maybe avoid Mondays or first thing in the morning; try for mid-week at a time when your energy level is highest,鈥� he says.