Think like Muhammad Ali and pack a punch at your next interview

Photo source: Stanley Weston/Getty Images

Teaser:  Are you a professional looking for a new job? Are you thinking about your last interview and wondering why I didn’t nail it?  Thinking like a champ may be the unique perspective you need to land your next interview. 

One of the keys to a successful interview is possessing radical confidence.

Muhammad Ali, the undisputed heavyweight champion of all time demonstrated an insane amount of confidence, unlike anything most of us have ever seen. Passing away in 2016, he leaves behind a legacy of unmatched talent and life lessons we could all use to apply to any area of our lives.

Now, you may be thinking what does Muhammad Ali have to do with nailing a job interview? For one, Ali possessed a level of confidence and belief in himself that he could achieve anything. Who doesn’t need a dose of that when going into a job interview? I know I do!

Here’s some of Ali’s famous quotes that will have you walking out of any interview like a champ.

1.“It’s not bragging if you can back it up.” — Muhammad Ali

Don’t sell yourself short. You have made it to the interview phase because they know you have the skills on paper. Now, it’s time for you to get real comfortable telling them just how amazing you are. At this moment there is nothing wrong with “bragging”, they need to know that you are what you say you are and then some. This isn’t the time to play small, this is the time to back it up and communicate that they didn’t just waste an hour of their time on some random candidate. You are the real deal and you have all of the receipts to show for it.

2.“I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.” — Muhammad Ali

Boxers go into deep hype sessions before they land in the ring. They’ve got hype music and mantras blaring out of their speakers to get them ready for the ring!

Go into your hype mode before the interview; turn up your hype music, repeat those positive mantras and get ready to rumble! Just like Ali, we need to be our own best hype person. How do we expect people to believe in us if we don’t? For your next interview, take a few moments to prepare yourself mentally and create an environment that will set you up for the win. Visualizing yourself going for the gold and demonstrating your skills as top talent will help you amplify your readiness for the role.

3. “I know where I’m going and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want.” — Muhammad Ali

Did you know that most people can tell you are putting on a “show” or not being your authentic self? Yup, and more often than not the folks doing the interview can tell you are forcing a persona that you think they want to see. Here’s a word of advice — be yourself! It takes a lot of effort to show up as someone you are not. It’s awkward and uncomfortable. If you think putting on a persona is something you need to do in any interview, you may want to rethink why you want to work for that company. Be free to be yourself, everyone else is already taken.

Bottom line: Interviews are already challenging. Let’s make the most out of them by walking in with confidence and authenticity just like a champ!