As a woman trying to progress in her career, you may have encountered a few roadblocks when it comes to acquiring a new position at work. While the glass ceiling seems to be getting higher and higher, it can be tricky at times, as a woman, to come across as impressive in an interview. If this situation is familiar to you, you have definitely come to the right place. 

If you’re going up for a promotion at work, or even considering leaving your current company and getting a new job elsewhere, it’s time to start preparing for your interview! Job interviews can be pretty nerve-wracking, so having some sage girl boss wisdom on your side will never hurt!

Here are 5 pieces of advice for female interviewees!

1. Dress like yourself, not like a textbook “female career professional”

Being taken seriously can be challenging as a woman in business. It is easy to conform to outdated rules without even realising we are doing it. The stereotypical pantsuit outfit is a fabulous choice - if it is really what you want to wear! But don’t shy away from dressing in an individual way, just because you want to be taken seriously. 

If you have a very individual way of dressing, or, for example, you love doing your hair in a funky way or wearing “out-there” makeup, make sure you don’t avoid these attributes when dressing for your interview. At the end of the day, the company wants to meet the real you, and if you aren’t a good fit, then it’s for the best. Don’t masquerade as a more neutral version of yourself - show them the real you!

2. Don’t assume the interviewer will be sexist

It can be very easy to assume that the world is against you, especially as a woman who has experienced misogyny before. Being on the defensive is a totally understandable response to years of feeling like you have been treated a little differently. However, in order to combat a sexist world and be our best, most expressive feminine selves, we need to try to move away from assumptions about others.

If your interviewer is a man, don’t immediately assume he will speak down to you, or generally be sexist. You might shoot yourself in the foot by doing this, as the interviewer might find you cold or generally stiffer than your usual  bright self. This interviewer might be a perfectly nice person who is interested in promoting equality - you should assess the situation as you see it, not assume he will treat you differently for being a woman!

3. Call bullsh*t as you see it

In continuation of the previous point, it’s important to explore the flipside of this situation. As a female interviewee, if you feel you are being treated with sexism, it is essential to speak out about it. 

If you have decided in your mind that you wouldn’t take the role even if it were offered to you, now is the time to take action - for women everywhere! You don’t need to speak about this directly in the interview if you feel uncomfortable doing so, but you could contact the company management after the interview, explaining your position.

By calling out any sexist behaviour displayed by the interviewee in a courteous email or phone call, you might save the next woman from the same treatment. Change can only happen when people speak up, so it’s time to have courage and fight for all women who want a fairer world!

4. Don’t try to act like a dude!

Margaret Thatcher famously lowered her voice, changed her clothing and adopted a ruthless personality in order to be taken seriously by male politicians. However, it is 2021, and this kind of strategy simply isn’t necessary any more.

Not only will making yourself more masculine - by participating in offensive “banter”, adopting a more serious persona or even dressing less femininely - make you miserable, it is also a step backwards for women in general.

As women, it is vital that we are accepted as our full, expressive, embodied selves. Instead of making room in your life for the masculine world, we should be asking the world to make room for us! 

When you are preparing for an interview, ensure you take note of any tendencies you have to try to come across more masculine, and be rid of them! Unapologetic women will pave the way for the future, so let’s work together to be the change we want to see.

5. Try positive mantras to help build your confidence before the interview!

It is totally normal to be very nervous before an interview. Impostor syndrome can begin to creep in, and you might even find yourself tempted to cancel it altogether. It’s easy to feel underqualified, inadequate and generally overwhelmed about being quizzed and questioned in a professional environment.

Even if you are fully prepared with data statistics, insights from sites like Userzoom, a wealth of industry experience and great references, it can still be all too easy to let impostor syndrome get the better of you.

In order to stop letting impostor syndrome get the better of you, it’s time to change your approach. Suppressing these feelings won’t make them go away, so instead, you should try to acknowledge them in a way that is healthy. 

For example, if you think, ‘I am going to make a fool of myself!’ Try shifting that thought and telling yourself the mantra, ‘I am going to be myself.’ Another example of turning negative thoughts into positive mantras could be by shifting ‘I’m definitely not going to get this job,’ into ‘I will get this job if it is right for me.’

_

Ultimately, being a woman in business isn’t the easiest thing in the world - but anything easy isn’t worth fighting for. If you love your career and want to progress, learning how to smash an interview is just part of that amazing process!

Use this sage advice from seasoned businesswomen in order to combat your nerves, be yourself, and most importantly, be a fully expressive and free woman in a professional environment!