The Art Of The Interview Part 3: Your Guide To Landing The Job

You’ve nailed the job interview. Now what? 

Interview expert and TaskHuman Coach Shawanna Lawrence shares that the most successful candidates consistently work on their development, taking ownership of their career path rather than waiting for others to define it.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to:

• Plan your career development by taking ownership and driving the process
• Embrace a growth mindset
• Build a foundation and succeed in career transitions

After engaging with this foundational piece, bookmark these articles about the fundamentals of preparing for an interview and taking your interview preparation to the next level.

Career Development: Setting Yourself Up for Long-Term Success

Here’s something that most interview guides won’t tell you: the best interview preparation starts long before you’re thinking about your next role. Let’s explore why this matters so much.

The Proactive Career Management Approach

Coach Shawanna Lawrence hits on a critical pain point she sees with coaching clients: “Being at a company for 3 years and never working on goals to get to the next level. Then a position opens up, and you technically don’t have the skills set.” 

This scenario is more common than you might think – research from LinkedIn shows that 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development.

Let’s flip the script. Instead of waiting for opportunities, here’s how to create them:

• Own Your Development: “Expecting the company to define your career path” is a common mistake Shawanna sees. Remember her wisdom: “You own, we help you map.” This mindset shift is crucial. Companies should be offering growth opportunities, but you also need to drive this investment and take ownership of it.

• Build Visibility Strategically: Think of visibility like compound interest – small, consistent actions build up over time:

  • Volunteer for cross-functional projects

  • Share your expertise in company forums.

  • Document your wins and learnings.

  • Build relationships across departments.

Create Your Career Blueprint

Don’t wait for someone else to create your path.  

Take ownership of it, drive the progress, and showcase you’re ready to be promoted. Remember, if you have value to offer your company, then the managers will win by putting you in the right position, so tell them and work with the leaders to make it happen.

Explain your goals and describe that moving forward is something you’re actively working towards. In many cases, the leader will better understand your needs and be excited to work with you.

Your action plan should include:

• Quarterly career check-ins with your manager
• Skill gap analysis and learning plans
• Networking goals within your industry
• Regular documentation of achievements

Consider starting a “career journal” where you track:

• Projects completed and their impact
• Skills developed
• Relationships built
• Challenges overcome
• Quantifiable results

When interview opportunities arise, you’ll have a goldmine of material ready to go.

The Continuous Growth Mindset

Remember what Coach Shawanna said about “Not proactively enhancing your skills”? In today’s rapidly changing workplace, continuous learning isn’t optional – it’s survival. 

The world is changing constantly, technology is advancing, and the way we did things three years ago is not the same as we do today. In three years, it’ll be completely different once again, and it’s up to you to adapt, pivot, and keep up.

Think beyond your current role:

• Take on stretch assignments
• Pursue relevant certifications
• Join professional organizations
• Mentor others (yes, this develops your skills too!)

Special Considerations: Early Career Navigation And Unique Situations

Sometimes, standard interview advice just doesn’t cut it. Whether fresh out of college or navigating a unique career situation, it’s critical to adapt these strategies to your specific needs.

Early Career Professionals: Building Your Foundation

Shawanna has specific insights for those newer to the job market: “Lots of practice. Use a coach to be more of a coach from the beginning stages.” 

Starting Strong: Your First Professional Interviews

When you’re light on work experience, here’s how to shine:

• Leverage Academic Projects: Transform group projects into leadership stories where you can highlight research work as analytical skills. Also, showcase extracurricular activities as organizational abilities.

• Focus on Transferable Skills: According to LinkedIn data, 92% of employers care more about soft skills than technical skills when hiring for entry-level positions. Emphasize:

  • Adaptability

  • Communication skills

  • Problem-solving abilities

  • Team collaboration

• Show Growth Potential: Employers hiring entry-level talent are often more interested in your potential than in your past. Look at your resume and consider what skills you can evolve.

Unique Situations and Career Transitions

Whether you’re switching industries, returning to work after a break, or making an unconventional career move, here’s how to position yourself:

1. Career Changers: Focus on what Shawanna calls “adaptability” and “clear communication.”

2. Internal Candidates: Remember Shawanna’s insight about internal moves: “Not increasing my own visibility.” Internal candidates often face unique challenges, so make sure you’re proactive in navigating them.

Your strategy should include:

• Documenting informal leadership experiences
• Building relationships across departments
• Understanding the company’s bigger picture
• Demonstrating growth in your current role

Working With Career Coaches

Studies show that 70% of professionals who’ve worked with career coaches improved their work performance (Source: Institute Of Coaching).

A good coach can help you:

• Identify areas of weakness in your presentation
• Practice difficult questions
• Refine your personal brand
• Build confidence through structured preparation

Remember: investing in professional guidance early can save years of trial and error in your career journey.

Final Thoughts

Throughout this guide, we’ve covered everything from foundational preparation to advanced interview strategies. 

Let’s revisit what Shawanna emphasized as her main message: “I really want people to succeed. Whether that is internal or external. I want them to grow and really expand on their skills to be successful.”

These are your takeaways to ensure growth and satisfaction in a new role:

• Take ownership and create your own opportunities for career development

• Embrace a growth mindset and begin saying “yes!”

• Work with career coaches and professionals to help navigate transitions and gain skills

Related reading: Your Preparation Guide To Land The Job You Want & Taking Your Interview Game To The Next Level

Starting today:

• Begin documenting your achievements using the frameworks shared
• Practice telling your career stories using the 3 W’s method
• Create your career development plan
• Start building relationships within your target companies or departments

Remember — the journey is yours. The magic happens when live boldly.

Get Started