Interview skills coaching: What are the benefits?

No matter your skills or experience, mastering job interviews is the key to landing your dream role.

An interview coach is someone, usually with recruitment or human resources experience, who can teach you techniques to maximise your chances of success in a job interview.

The benefits of hiring an interview coach can be significant. An interview coach can help you ask better questions in an interview, help you structure your answers and improve your confidence.

So when should you hire an interview coach and what are the benefits of one?

When you should hire an interview coach

No matter your stage of career or the role you are applying for, interview coaching can be beneficial. However, hiring an interview coach costs time and money. Hiring an interview coach is definitely worthwhile if:

You find interviews daunting

Almost everyone will feel nervous heading into an interview. This is a good sign as it shows that you care about the opportunity and want to make the most of it. However, if your nerves make it difficult for you to speak well in an interview, it might be time for you to seek professional advice.

You aren’t getting job offers

Have you attended several job interviews but not yet received a job offer? If you believe you have the skills required for the roles you are applying for, this could be a sign that your interview skills need improvement. An interview coach can help you identify strategies to improve your interviewing skills.

You have an important opportunity coming up

Maybe you have just landed an interview with your dream employer. If so, you will want to make the best impression possible. An interview coach can provide you with tips to stand out from your competitors.

You haven’t attended an interview before or in a while

Maybe you have been in the same position for many years, or are returning to work after a break. Or, maybe you have recently graduated and have never experienced a job interview before. If so, it might be a good idea to brush up on your interview skills.

You face employment barriers

Maybe you have some unexplained gaps in your resume or have frequently changed roles. An interview coach can provide you with support and guidance to overcome the challenges you face.

You struggle negotiating offers

If you struggle to negotiate the pay and benefits you deserve, a career coach can provide assistance.

You are changing careers and find it difficult to sell your skills

When seeking a new career path, it can feel like you are starting from scratch. However, almost everyone will have transferable skills. An interview coach can help you identify and highlight your transferable skills.

What are the benefits of interview coaching?

Interview coaching can provide many benefits. It provides the opportunity to:

Gain the perspective of the employer

Interview coaching allows you to see the perspective of the person who will be interviewing you.An experienced interview coach will understand the competencies and capabilities your interviewer will be looking for.

Improve your communication skills

To achieve success in a job interview, communicating effectively is essential. Interview skills coaches can provide tips on language choice, tone of voice, and  appropriate body language

Practice your interview skills

The key to a successful interview is practising your responses as much as possible. An interview coach can conduct a mock interview with you and provide tips on how to improve your responses.

You only have one chance to make a great first impression. Interview coaching can help you make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
Are you looking to improve your interview skills? Public Service Resumes offers various services, including interview skills coaching tailored to your needs.

Article References

Indeed (2 July 2024) ‘When hiring an interview coach is worth it’, Indeed, accessed 17 January 2025.