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So, you've got a job interview, congratulations! Now is your chance to impress.
Preparing for an interview ahead of time will help you keep it together and perform at your very best.
Read the top 5 tips from our recruiters once you've had the interview confirmed:
1. Chloe Bell: “Research thoroughly and reference noteworthy articles, projects, or work of the company in your interview”
Most candidates know that you should be researching your potential new employer before an interview, but what you research and how you utilise that information in your interview can make all the difference, as Chloe highlights.
Take the time to do some thorough research. Look at their social media (LinkedIn!!) as well as their website; what articles or news have they posted lately? What projects or events have they been involved with? Take these highlights and reference them when appropriate in your interview, to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the company and how your personality and expertise can fit into that environment.
2. Craig Fraser: “Prepare good questions for the end of the interview”
Asking questions will always be expected of you at the end of an interview, so take time to prepare the right ones. This is also where referencing specific news or projects can be useful.
Remember, asking questions is as much an opportunity for you to decide whether the role is right for you as it is for the business to decide whether you are right for them!
Here are a few of our favourite questions to ask at the end of an interview:
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“What could I do to add the most value in the first few months with the company?”
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“What do you foresee as the biggest challenges for the business in the next 6 months?”
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“I saw that you worked on X project recently, I’d be interested in finding out more about that and the biggest challenges you faced?”
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“What does it take to be successful here?”
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“Have I answered everything you want to know about me or is there anything else I can tell you that might help my application?”
3. Renate Hansen: “Prepare to talk about experiences and suitable achievements as well as a time when something didn't go as planned and what you did to resolve it”
While hiring managers want to know your successes and what you’ve done well, they will also want to know about times when things didn’t go so smoothly, and how you overcame them.
When thinking about your achievements, remember to demonstrate tangible successes with facts and figures. Try using the STAR acronym to help you:
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Situation: Set the scene and give necessary details of your example
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Task: Describe what your responsibility was
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Action: What did you do to address the task
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Results: Share what outcomes your actions achieved
4. Magnus Wikström: “Interviews are a 2-way process! You are there to interview them as much as they are there to interview you. Bear that in mind before the interview – will also help with nerves”
While you are there to sell yourself and your skills, it's equally important to remember that it's a two-way process. Do your research, ask questions, and decide whether the company is a good fit for you!
Here are some questions to ask the hiring manager during an interview:
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“How would you measure my success, and what could I do to exceed your expectations?”
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“What does a typical day look like in this role?”
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“Is this a new position or an established role?”
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“Why did you decide to join this company?”
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“Can you describe what the company culture is like?”
5. Justin Reid: “Run a test call using your setup beforehand to make sure everything works and is ready! Having a smooth start to the interview always sets the rest up to be great”
Before the interview, test the technology in advance! Make sure the PC you intend to use will have all necessary add-ons to run this specific system smoothly. Test the camera and microphone on your PC to make sure your interviewer will be able to see and hear you properly.
The last thing you want to do is install new apps and add-ons ten minutes before your interview and be late for the meeting.
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