From researching the company to deciding what to wear, spending time on interview preparation is essential if you’re going to put in a good performance and secure the job. In some cases, you’ll only need to succeed at one of these to land the role.
Your performance in an interview depends, to a significant extent, on how well you prepare. Don’t leave this until the last minute.
Interviews are very intimidating and you may not be ready. Here are a few tips in order to help you.
10 tips for great job interviews
1. Research the industry and company:
An interviewer may ask how you perceive the company’s position in its industry, what its competitive advantages are, and how it should best go forward. For this reason, avoid trying to thoroughly research a dozen different industries. Focus your job search on the company and what they are all about.
2. Clarify your “selling points” and the reasons you want the job:
Prepare to go into every interview with three to five key selling points in mind, such as what makes you the best candidate for the position. Have an example of each selling point prepared. For example, if you say ”I persuaded an entire group to …” make sure you are prepared to tell the interviewer the full story of your point and why it is relevant. This allows them to see why you want that job and see what you can bring to the team.
3. Prepare for common interview questions:
Every “how to interview” book has a list of a hundred or more “common interview questions that will be asked in an interview. So how do you prepare? Think about which questions you’re most likely to encounter, given your age and status (about to graduate, looking for a summer internship) and what type of role it is. Once you have a list drawn up, prepare your answers so you won’t have to fumble for them during the actual interview.
4. ‘STAR’ Techniques:
The STAR method is a structured manner of responding to a behavioural-based interview question’s. This is by
discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing. Impressing at a competency-based interview is all about the way you tell your story, so it’s particularly important to prepare for this sort of interview. Put some concrete, quantifiable details down on paper, which could fit a range of situations.
5. Line up your questions for the interviewer:
Your interviewer is prepared for your interview, so why don’t you become prepared?
Come to the interview with some intelligent questions for the interviewer that demonstrate your knowledge of the company as well as your serious intent. Interviewers always ask if you have any questions, and no matter what, you should have one or two ready. These can either be about the job role itself or talk about things you could potentially learn during the role.
6. Practice, practice, practice:
Always practice your answers. You do not want to forget what the interview was about and need to be clear about what you want. It’s the one thing to come prepared with a mental answer to a question like, “Why should we hire you?” It’s another challenge entirely to say it out loud in a confident and convincing way. The first time you try it, you’ll sound garbled and confused, no matter how clear your thoughts are in your own mind! Do it another 10 times, and you’ll sound a lot smoother and more articulate.
7. Score a success in the first five minutes:
Some studies indicate that interviewers make up their minds about candidates in the first five minutes of the interview – and then spend the rest of the interview looking for things to confirm that decision! So what can you do in those five minutes to get through the gate? Come in with energy and enthusiasm, and express your appreciation for the interviewer’s time.
Remember: the interviewer may be seeing a lot of other candidates that day and maybe tired from the flight in. So bring in that energy!
8. Make your selling points clear:
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound? More important, if you communicate your selling points during a job interview and the interviewer doesn’t get it, did you score? On this question, the answer is clear: No! So don’t bury your selling points in long-winded stories. Instead, tell the interviewer what your selling point is first, then give the example.
9. Think positive:
No one likes a complainer, so don’t dwell on negative experiences during an interview. Even if the interviewer asks you point-blank, “what courses have you liked least?” or “what did you like least about that previous job?” don’t answer the question. Or more specifically, don’t answer it as it’s been asked. Instead, say something like, “well, actually I’ve found something about all of my classes that I’ve liked.”
10. Speak the right body language:
Dress appropriately, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, have good posture, speak clearly, and don’t wear perfume or cologne! Sometimes interview locations are small rooms that may lack good air circulation.
Don’t give up!
If you’ve had a bad interview for a job that you truly think would be a great fit for you (not just something you want badly), don’t give up! Write a note, send an email, or call the interviewer to let him or her know that you think you did a poor job of communicating. Reiterate what you have to offer the company, and say that you’d like an opportunity to contribute. Whether this strategy will get you a job offer depends on the company and on you.
Why Choose Us
Choose us as your recruitment agency, we want to help you find the job that you are looking for and prepare you an interview. If you need someone to prepare your interview with you, speak to one of our consultants today at Carrington Blake Recruitment.
Contact us on 0207 537 6607 or leave us an email at recruitment@carringtonblake.com