Impress at any interview with our 5 top tips
You’ve just spent hours reading the job description. You’ve poured over the company mission statement and clicked every possible link on the businesses website. You’ve sent through your resume. One week later, that all elusive email enters your inbox. The subject line reads: “Congratulations, we would like to invite you for an interview”.
Odds are, you’ve been in this situation. Most of us have been in this situation. It’s a mixed feeling of nerves and excitement at the prospect of attending an interview for a job that you're desperate to get. When you're invited to an interview - your brain processes a million potential questions that your interviewer may or may not ask you. This blog will hopefully provide some insight and tips on how to successfully prepare (and ultimately kill) your interview.
What to expect in an interview
It’s common sense to know that not every interview will be the same. Every company and every employer will have a different set of methods and processes that they will implement when interviewing new candidates. There are several things to expect when it comes to the interview process, but the format will greatly depend on the company you’re interviewing with overall.
While every company and human resources department works differently, the way they structure their interviews is generally the same. The questions may vary but the structure will usually be similar.
When you arrive for your interview, head to the reception desk and let them know who you are and what position you’re interviewing for. You’ll likely be asked to sit in a waiting area until the hiring manager is ready to see you. It’s important to stay off your phone so you don’t seem disinterested in the role. Once the hiring manager has greeted you, they’ll likely escort you to their office. They might engage in small talk during this time. It’s important to stay attentive and actively listen to everything they have to say, even before the interview has officially begun.
The hiring manager will then provide you details about the job you applied for and the qualities of the candidate they’re hoping to fit the role. In almost all job interviews - the employer will be the one speaking first so it’s super important to intently listen.
Once the interviewer gives you an idea of the position and what it entails, they’ll want to hear how you are qualified for the role. They’ll ask a series of general, behavioral, situational and in-depth questions as they pertain to your industry. Be prepared to answer questions regarding your experience, skills and achievements. It’s also possible they might ask you about employment gaps and your preferred salary range. No interviewer will have the same questions, so it’s best to prepare for the most common ones you’re likely to encounter, and be prepared to adapt.
After the interview, the hiring manager might give you a sense of what the workplace environment is like by giving you a tour of the workplace. There’s also a chance they’ll introduce you to your potential future colleagues. This is your opportunity to show your personality and get chatty! It’s important to also remember that you need to want the job. Interviews are no longer one-sided, and it’s more than okay to ask your own questions to decide whether this is the right role for you.
Be sure to thank your interviewer both for their time and for the opportunity to interview for the position before leaving.
Preparing for a job interview
So you know what to expect from an interview. Now how do you prepare for a job interview? I wish I had a solid, concrete answer to give. But unfortunately everybody is different and everybody will prepare in a different way.
Reviewing the job description is crucial in understanding exactly what the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate. The job posting is a great guide that can help you better comprehend what the position entails. So make sure to scan this over before attending the interview.
Another thing you should be doing is extensively researching the company. Researching the company will help guide your answers to common interview questions and give you a better idea of the company culture and role. As I said before - every interviewer will have a different approach but if you have a solid, foundational understanding of the company culture and mission, you’ll be one step ahead of the competition.
Another step in the right direction will be having ammunition of strong, insightful questions to ask your interviewer. Asking good questions at the end of the interview is a great way to show your interest in working for the company. Prepare several questions to ask the interviewer that pertain to the position, company and office environment.
Last but certainly not least - ensure you have the correct and appropriate attire for the position that you are hoping to take. Select attire that will help you make the best first impression at an interview. The style of outfit you choose should depend on the company’s dress code. Some companies have a formal dress code whereas many startups tend to have a more casual and laidback dress code. That’s for you to figure out, and assessing their website and social media channels can be a great way to gain insight. But nothing stands out to an interviewer more than an under-dressed, smelly interviewee. So sort this out!
5 tips to excel in your next interview
Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for! My top tips for you to store in the back of your mind to best prepare for your next interview.
1. Keep all of your answers focused on the job at hand
As human beings - when we’re nervous, we tend to ramble. This can be a negative when it comes to taking an interview. Your interviewer will typically ask short, straight to the point questions and usually expect a similar response. Obviously steer clear of one worded responses but be careful not to turn a job specific question into a story about your cat. Keep your answers focused on the job at hand, but don’t be afraid to showcase some personality.
2. Create a point of difference
You don’t know what others can do. Stress what YOU can do. Concentrate on the positive contribution you can make and distinguish why you may be a better choice than somebody else. Most job interviews that are conducted are aimed at hiring just one person.
At the end of the day - if you’ve gotten to this stage of the hiring process, it’s now up to you to sell yourself.
Be a solution to a problem. There's a reason they're hiring somebody new.
3. NEVER make excuses
You will always be asked questions that may be difficult, such as “why did you leave your last job?”. Stick true to your guns and never make excuses. Interviewers will always be after honesty, transparency and an open mind.
So don’t be evasive, shifty, avoid eye contact or beat around the bush when asked a question. Believe in yourself. You got this.
4. Be completely honest
Ever been told that your lies find a way of catching up with you? Well, it’s true. The same can be said regarding interviews. If you aren’t completely honest with your interviewer - the chances of then finding out the truth one way or another are pretty high.
Start out with a broad framework defining your total experience without overdoing it. Then state the skills and experiences which are the closest match to the requirements of the job.
5. Don’t focus too much on money
Look I get it. Money is important. But if there’s one thing that I can PROMISE you - it’s that the last thing your interviewer wants to hear is that you're primarily incentivised by money.
You can pretty much say goodbye to the job if your interviewer gets even a sniff of this attitude. Salary expectations are important. But make sure you instill in the mind of your interviewer that you aren’t just sold on the money. Those discussions can come later.
There you have it! I could have listed a lot more but those are the most valuable. I hope that they can provide some insight and be a source of inspiration when preparing for your next big job interview.
Need more support? You know where I am!