3 Steps to Prepare for Your DEI Interview
Have you ever heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression?” Well, it is absolutely true when it comes to nailing your DEI interview. I know the thought of interviewing can be intimidating - especially when entering a new career field. But, if you want to become a DEI leader, you can set yourself up for success by being prepared!
We’ll help you get ready for your DEI interview with three 3 simple steps:
1. Create Your Career Narrative
When I was a product marketer, I often needed to define the product’s Unique Value Proposition (UVP), a statement that clearly expressed the product's distinct selling points to potential customers. When it comes to interviewing, your interview panel is your customer. To showcase your UVP, get clear about what YOU bring to the table. If you have on-the-job experience, make sure you can confidently talk about your most transferable skills. You should be able to identify what you do well, articulate the value you add BECAUSE of your different background, and connect the dots from your previous successes to your desired role.
Are you a talented instructional designer who understands adult learning principles and can revise materials after analyzing student evaluations? Maybe you’re an experienced project manager with strong communication and problem-solving skills who can effectively manage resources and stakeholders.
When you own your career narrative, you’ll be well prepared if asked, “Why should we hire you when you’ve never had DEI title?” You will be in control of the conversation because you can clearly communicate your unique value proposition!
2. Leave Your Baggage at the Door
Applying for jobs and going on interviews often come with ghosting or rejection. It is easy to internalize that rejection and those negative experiences. But for an interview to go well, you must release those feelings of self-doubt. Once you have done the work to own your career narrative, don’t let the fear of rejection or previous negative experiences hold you back!
Speaking of negative experiences, a job interview is not the time to bash your last organization. Airing past grievances puts you in a negative light – not your ex-employer. Remember, an interview is your time to shine, so be sure to focus on you and your experiences in a positive light. Do that by focusing on the skills and knowledge you gained in your last position. Talk about projects you led and solutions you created to address the organization’s problems. Show that you’re optimistically future-focused, not bogged down by the past.
3. Do the Research and Show What You Know
Interviewers are looking for signs that you’ve done your homework. First, learn as much as possible about the company's mission, values, goals, and problems they are trying to solve. Then, search for the website for DEI statements, and review any articles or blogs that share company-specific data. Hint, check out their Environmental Social Governance (ESG) or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports too! This will give you great insight into the company's commitments to DEI.
Once you’ve gathered your information, think about how you’ll communicate solution-oriented interview responses through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is where you combine company research with your understanding of DEI concepts. In your responses, you’ll want to center their ethos and values and always focus on what you can do for them, not what they can do for you.
You don’t have to go through this process alone. Our DEI Career Coaching Services will help you create a clear, concise career narrative that empowers you to walk into interviews with confidence and clarity. Together, we’ll craft the UVP that showcases the skills and qualifications that make you the best person for the job. Find out more at DEICareer.com/coaching.