5 tips to train like an Olympian for your next job interview

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

“Too many job seekers we see approach this in a haphazard way: ‘Oh, I’ll just send in my resume; if I’m qualified, someone will notice. Then, I’ll interview, then I’ll get hired,’ but it doesn’t work like that anymore,” says Joe Weinlick, senior vice president at career search site Beyond.com.

In today’s 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.

Finding a new job can sometimes happen quickly, but more often than not, it takes time, perseverance and dedication to find the job that’s right for you. You’ll need to work hard and commit the time to job searching in order to be successful.

“Understand from the get-go that this is going to take time. Unless you get extremely lucky, it’s not going to happen overnight, so be prepared for the long haul; don’t just throw your resume at every organization you can think of and see what sticks,” Weinlick says.

The job search process may include a rejection letter or two. Never hesitate to ask the hiring manager or recruiter why you weren’t selected for the job. It’s valuable feedback that can help prepare you for the next interview you land.

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“You 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,” 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.

“If you look professional and confident, that’s how you’ll 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,” Weinlick says.

Go into the interview with a positive attitude and you’ll be sure to project more confidence during the interview. Be prepared to really sell yourself and don’t be afraid to tell the hiring manager why you’re the best person for the job.

“Be positive. If you feel that, you’ll project confidence and power. There’s definitely a correlation between how you feel and how you’ll perform. Just like an Olympic diver will stand on the board and visualize how their dive will go, you should visualize yourself saying and doing all the right things and mentally rehearse your actions and reactions to make sure you’re getting the right results,” Weinlick says.

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While “get a good night’s sleep” 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’t sleep the night before, Weinlick says.

“You need to make sure you’re 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,” he says.