How to Become an Interview Coach and Succeed (Step-by-Step)

Welcome to the gateway of interview coaching, where transforming lives is the name of the game. In today’s fast-paced job market, setting yourself apart is not just an option; it’s necessary, and interview coaches can make an impact. The demand for interview coaches is soaring as more job seekers pursue professional help with their interview preparation. From rookies to career switchers, everyone craves that edge. 

Being an interview coach goes beyond merely providing interview tips to your client for their upcoming job interview. It also requires an understanding of: 

• The psychology of interviews 
• The interview process
• How to improve your client’s interview performance 
• How to bring the best out of each job seeker you work with. 

Our step-by-step guide will walk you through the steps you need to take to become an interview coach. So let’s get started.

Step 1: Interview Coach Self-Assessment and Preparation

Before you can guide others, you’ve got to know your stuff inside out. Your interview skills must be in tip-top shape before passing on the magic. 

Getting qualified as an interview coach

Let’s talk about qualifications — the backbone of your coaching expertise. 

In the USA, a specific license is not necessary to pursue a career as an interview coach or career coach. So, many people with HR, Psychology, and Communication backgrounds enter the coaching field. However, a certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in a linked field such as counseling, psychology, or HR can add to your credibility.

There’s no official licensing for career coaching in the UK either, but obtaining certifications from recognized coaching organizations, like the ICF or Career Development Institute (CDI), can provide a solid foundation. Some examples of qualifications you could pursue in the UK include:

• Master’s in career development and coaching studies (or similar; there are lots of qualifications with similar names)
• QCF Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development
• Level 6 Higher Apprenticeship Standard; Career Development Professional

Essential interview coaching skills

An interview coach needs to have mastery in communication, active listening, empathy, adaptability, problem-solving, organization, and patience. We will look at these skills in more detail in step three. 

However, it is also vital to have strong interview skills. Remember, you’re about to become someone’s guide, so your confidence and fluency matter. 

Sharpening your sword 

Picture this: You’re a basketball coach. Would you teach a killer jump shot if your own was wonky? Probably not. The same goes here. Brush up on your storytelling, master the STAR technique for behavioral interviews, and fine-tune your elevator pitch. It’s like acing the game before becoming the coach.

It’s not just about what you’ll be teaching; it’s about becoming a skilled interviewee yourself. If you want to polish your interview skills, you can do interview prep for free with real-time feedback on Yoodli!  

Step 2: Develop a Strong Knowledge Base

If Step 1 got you pumped about sharpening your skills, Step 2 is about beefing up your knowledge arsenal to ninja-level proportions. 

Riding the trend waves

Imagine if your GPS routed you to places that no longer exist. That is what not staying updated feels like in the world of interviews. Be in the know about the latest buzzwords, hot skills, and market demands.

The question treasure hunt

Interviews, my friend, are like a treasure hunt but with questions instead of clues. Dive into the treasure chest of common interview questions and become the answer maestro. But wait, there’s more — industries have their own unique set of questions. Tech interviews won’t be the same as marketing ones. Be ready to craft tailored advice based on the job role.

Cracking the behavioral code

Behavioral and competency-based interviews are like interviewing on steroids. Know how to prepare for these interviews and how to get high marks when answering this style of interview question. Teach your clients how to spin anecdotes into gold, and you’ll see those “ah-ha” moments light up their faces. 

We will look at this in more detail in step 7.

Step 3: Master Interview Coaching Techniques

Welcome to the heart of the action — the coaching arena. If you want your clients to be successful, as an interview coach, you must master some fundamental coaching techniques. 

Active listening as an interview coach

Active listening is hearing the words between the words and understanding your client’s aspirations, fears, and hidden gifts. 

The empathy factor 

Interview coaching is like stepping into your client’s shoes and walking a mile with them. When a career coach shows empathy, clients feel safe to share their struggles, knowing you will not judge them. As interview coaches, we must understand and guide our clients with compassion. 

Unleash the personalized magic as an interview coach

One size fits none in the interview coaching world. Tailor your coaching approach to their learning style, personality, and goals. It’s like designing a custom-made suit — it is a precise fit and boosts their confidence tenfold.

Ready to guide, inspire, and connect on a whole new level? Let’s master the art of interview coaching and rock those personalized strategies!

Step 4: Create Customized Coaching Plans

If Steps 1 to 3 got you excited, Step 4 is where you channel that energy into formulating career coaching plans that are as unique as fingerprints.  

Know thy client 

Visualize yourself as a detective, but instead of solving mysteries, you uncover career aspirations. Be the compass that points your clients in the right direction.

Interview coaching blueprints 

An interview coaching plan isn’t just a random assortment of advice; it’s a blueprint to success. Identify the specific interview challenges your client faces. It could be interview nerves, a need for clarity in their answers, communication skills, or another aspect of their interview technique. Tailor your plan like a finely crafted suit, addressing each challenge with targeted strategies.

Challenge by challenge, step by step 

Picture leading someone through a labyrinth – your interview coaching plan is the path they’ll follow. Break down your client’s plan into bite-sized steps. It’s like being their interview GPS, ensuring they never lose their way. Your coaching plan should contain a SMART action plan and tailored strategies to help them address their areas of weakness. For example, you might focus on helping your client overcome interview nerves or give more concise answers in their job interview.

Step 5: Interview Coach Mock Interview Sessions

Think back to your childhood — didn’t playing make-believe feel like magic? Mock interviews are like grown-up versions of that. They’re not just practice; they’re dress rehearsals for real-life interviews. 

Creating reality 

Close your eyes and imagine stepping into an interview room — the smell of anticipation, the hum of nerves, the weight of potential. That’s the ambiance you want to recreate. Try to recreate real interview scenarios. Dress the part, set a timer, and dive into questions. The more authentic the environment, the better the learning experience. 

Then, supplement that with tools like Yoodli, where they can do further interview practice. Yoodli is an AI interview coach who will provide immediate feedback, analytics, video replay, transcription, and more! You will impress your clients and this tool will make your job much easier.

The feedback that lifts 

Now, here’s the magic potion – feedback. Just as a coach in a sports match analyzes their players’ every move, you should also analyze your client’s performance in the mock interview. Offer constructive feedback that doesn’t just point out mistakes but suggests improvements. 

Mock interviews aren’t just rehearsals but a platform for personal revolutions. Let’s step into the realm of mock interview mastery and turn those butterflies into soaring eagles.

Step 6: Communication and Body Language Coaching

Nonverbal communication is the art of speaking volumes without saying a word. In nonverbal communication, even the subtlest details make a significant difference.

The silent storyteller 

Your body language tells a story without you speaking a single line. Effective communication goes beyond your words; it’s about the message your gestures, expressions, and posture convey. 

Speak with your whole self 

Let’s play a game. Pretend your body is a megaphone, amplifying your words. Now, every movement, posture, and facial expression are all on stage. Teach your clients to stand tall, maintain eye contact, and let their hand gestures echo their confidence. Guide them in reading the room, adapting to their audience, and projecting confidence even when their heart races. 

Step 7: Navigate Tough Interview Questions

Teach your clients how to navigate the trickiest interview questions. If you train your clients well, challenging questions will no longer be roadblocks but stepping stones to success. Give them further opportunities to practice difficult questions outside your coaching session by providing tools and resources such as an AI coach, sample questions and answers, and interview templates.

Embrace the challenge as an interview coach

Challenging questions can serve as concealed pathways to your clients’ capacities. From inquiries like “Describe a situation where you encountered failure?” to “What are your 5-year goals?”, guide your clients to see these questions as invitations to shine rather than hurdles to stumble over.

The STAR of the show 

A technique called the STAR method is a tried and tested way to best respond to questions. It has made it much easier to answer behavioral and competency-based questions in a structured way that clearly addresses them. When faced with these questions, people often monologue and go off-topic. The STAR method addresses this issue.

STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. The STAR technique allows you to answer these questions in four steps. 

1. The Situation is the circumstances you confront. 
2. The Task is the specific duty assigned to you. 
3. The Action is the particular steps you executed to complete the task. 
4. The Result is what you achieved due to your actions (ideally quantified results) and the insights you gained.

Help your clients prepare persuasive examples using the STAR technique. With the STAR method in their arsenal, there’s no question too challenging and no scenario too intimidating. 

Stories that stick 

Think of a job interview as a storytelling session where your clients are both the protagonists and the narrators. Share with your clients tips for preparing examples that successfully answer the interview questions. Explain how to engage the interviewer’s imagination so the hiring manager visualizes their journey.

Step 8: Building Confidence and Overcoming Nerves

Interview coaches should help their clients build confidence while also helping them manage interview nerves. When self-assurance reigns supreme, nervousness takes a back seat, leading to success at the interview.

Fearless frontiers 

Address the common anxieties — fear of the unknown, imposter syndrome, the spotlight’s glare — and show your clients how to replace those fears with excitement and purpose.

Interview coach confidence boosters 

Share techniques for your clients to tap into their inner reservoir of confidence. Positive self-talk, visualizing success, and other tools can help your clients transform nerves into energy that propels them forward.

The composure conductor 

Your clients are like orchestra conductors guiding the performance, even when the orchestra (read: interview) seems chaotic. Could you teach them techniques for managing nerves during interviews? Deep breaths, focused grounding, and maintaining composure even when the interviewer throws a curveball question their way. 

Step 9: Personal Branding and Elevator Pitch

In Step 9, we will focus on helping your clients master the art of personal branding and perfecting their elevator pitch.

Brand you 

Teach your clients about personal branding. Ask them to visualize themselves as walking billboards, advertising their uniqueness. Explain to your clients how to write a brand statement that highlights their skills, experiences, and personalities in a clear and concise brand message. 

Elevator pitch magic 

Ask your clients to picture being in a lift with a potential employer. The elevator ride is brief, but they possess a remarkable chance to create a lasting impact in that time. That’s the elevator pitch — a concise, impactful self-introduction that makes them memorable. Teach them to distill their essence into a few words that resonate long after the elevator ride is over.

Step 10: Interview Coach Industry Insights and Networking Tips

Step 10 is your VIP access to industry intelligence and networking mastery. A job interview is like a business deal: connections are the currency. 

Industry Sherlock 

You must stress to each candidate the importance of:

• Understanding the nuances of their chosen field 
• Researching the company they are interviewing with and its culture 
• Being aware of industry news and trends 
• Learning the buzzwords that resonate, including those listed in the job description

When your clients can speak the industry language, they’re not just interviewees but insiders.

From contacts to connections 

Empower your clients with the skill to transform contacts into meaningful connections. Show them how to be givers, not just takers, in their networking journey. Transform your clients into interviewees who speak the industry’s language and have a network of allies.

Step 11: Feedback and Continuous Improvement as an Interview Coach

Growth isn’t a destination but a thrilling journey. Constant learning and client feedback keep your career coaching game at its peak. Every coaching session is a chance to fine-tune your magic. Interview coaching is like a painting that’s never quite finished. You are forever a work in progress. 

Feedback fuel 

Provide opportunities for your clients to share honest feedback confidentially. Your clients’ feedback will help you to continuously improve your coaching methods, effectiveness, and relevance. Get ready to turn every interaction as an interview coach into a stepping stone for growth.

Step 12: Launch Your Business as an interview coach

Aspiring interview coach entrepreneurs, it’s time to put on your business hats and set the stage for your coaching service to shine. If you’ve ever thought about transforming your passion into a thriving business, Step 12 is your guide to launching your interview coaching service. 

Laying the groundwork 

Give your interview coach business a solid foundation by carrying out the following actions: 

• Register your business
• Decide on a legal structure.
• Research the tax rules in your area.
• Set clear goals 
• Define the scope of your career coaching service. 

Spreading your wings as an interview coach

Your interview coaching service is like a bird ready to take flight — but first, it needs to be visible. Create viability in the following ways: 

• Cultivate a robust online presence by crafting a professional website highlighting your unique selling points and services. 
• Build links with your intended audience and gain followers through social media tools such as Instagram, TikTok, X (formally Twitter), YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook, WhatsApp, and more.
• Develop engaging content — blog posts, videos, and tips — highlighting your coaching prowess and attracting potential clients.

Interview coach pricing with purpose 

Research the market rates for interview coaches in your area and industry — factor in your experience, qualifications, and the unique value you bring. Be transparent about your pricing on your website, and consider offering tiered packages that cater to different needs and budgets.

Building client relationships 

Picture your client base as a garden you nurture with care. Leverage your professional network to spread the word about your interview coaching service. 

When launching your business, consider offering your interview coaching service for free or at a discounted rate to the first ten customers who respond (or whatever number you choose).  When people know that it is a limited offer, they’re more likely to act quickly. This can help you get more leads. 

Deliver exceptional value in every interview coaching session. Happy clients can become your best marketing assets through word-of-mouth recommendations.

So, let’s put your entrepreneurial spirit into high gear; you’re about to launch your interview coaching business! 

Conclusion: Your Interview Coach Odyssey Begins!

Congratulations, future interview coach leaders, for completing your learning journey! Bookmark this guide and refer to it as you build your interview coaching business. 

Let’s pause to review the key steps that will elevate you to the status of an interview coach extraordinaire.

Your pathway to success as an interview coach

Remember that your pathway to success as an interview coach involves a journey of gradual progression. We have provided you with a roadmap to success, which includes:

1. Self-Assessment and Preparation
2. Developing a Strong Knowledge Base
3. Mastering Interview Coaching Techniques
4. Creating Customized Coaching Plans
5. Communication and Body Language Coaching
6. Mock Interview Sessions
7. Navigating Tough Interview Questions
8. Building Confidence and Overcoming Nerves
9. Personal Branding and Elevator Pitch
10. Industry Insights and Networking Tips
11. Continuous Improvement and Feedback
12. Launching Your Interview Coaching Business

Each step is like a piece of the puzzle that completes your career coaching mastery.

Your journey as an interview coach begins today 

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to share your wisdom or a fresh graduate eager to make a difference, the path to becoming an interview coach is open to all. Start small, take your first client, refine your techniques, and watch your interview coaching business flourish.

Let your journey as an interview coach begin! Remember, every client you guide, and every interview you transform adds another chapter to your coaching legacy. Your coaching odyssey awaits!

About the Author: Brian Vander Waal

Brian is an employment consultant, career coach, careers writer, and founder of brianvanderwaal.com, a blog providing information, advice, and guidance on careers, employment, learning, and AI.