Written by Katie Doolan - Lead Recruitment Associate
So you’ve updated your CV, put in the application and you’re over the moon to have received the invitation to attend an interview for the job you really want! However, it’s at this moment for a lot of people that dread and self-doubt start to kick in.
It’s always going to feel a little daunting to put yourself out there and be interviewed, but here at Talentwise we have been helping people prepare for all kinds of interviews for many years, and we have definitely learned a thing or two in this time.
Taking into account everything we’ve learned, our team has put together some helpful interview tips to help you feel as prepared and relaxed as possible about your upcoming job interview.
“Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail”
Preparation is by far the most important thing when it comes to attending an interview. It’s so important to do your research and make sure that you are clued up about the organisation you’re interviewing with and the role you’re interviewing for. Have a good look at their website and the job description and consider:
- What do you know about this company?
- What products or services do they offer to their clients/customers?
- Why do you think this company would be a good fit for you personally?
- What are their values? And are these values you identify with?
- Do they have a mission statement or vision?
- What is the size of the company and what are their plans for future growth?
- What are the working hours and benefits?
- What opportunities do they offer for training and development?
With both face-to-face interviews and video interviews, you’ll want to take the following with you, if you have them:
- 2 copies of your CV (one for you and one for them, just in case)
- Any certificates relevant to the role
- Any references or testimonials you might have from past employers, colleagues, or clients/customers
- A notebook and pen
- Your notes about the company and the job
- Your list of questions
The Modern World of Video Interviews!
There are certain things you want to bear in mind when it comes to video interviews. For example:
- Make sure you have a good internet connection
- Test your audio and webcam before-hand to make sure they’re working
- Find a place that is well-lit with nothing distracting in the background
- Find a quiet place and ensure you will have no interruptions
- Turn off your mobile phone
- Dress smartly, just as you would if you were attending a face-to-face interview
- Look at the camera!
- Be ready ten minutes early in case you have any problems logging in
- Ensure you have the interviewer’s phone number handy in case you have problems logging in, or in case you get logged out at any time during the interview
Good Old-Fashioned Face-to-Face Interviews
We can’t express how important it is to plan your journey! It really doesn’t give a good first impression if you’re late to an interview so plan your route and allow extra time for traffic. Plan where you’re going to park and ensure you have change if it’s a pay and display car park. Aim to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before your interview is due to commence.
When you arrive at the interview, remember to switch off your mobile phone. Report to Reception, give your name and tell them who you’ve come to meet.
During the Interview
Body language is so important during interviews, whether the interview is remote or in-person. Make sure you maintain eye contact with the person who is interviewing you or, if you’re on webcam, remember to look at the camera. It’s worth sticking a marker under the camera to keep your attention focused there! Make sure you appear interested and engaged.
When it comes to answering interview questions, listen carefully to make sure you’ve understood the question. If you’re unsure, ask for clarification and don’t be afraid to pause and consider your answers – silences are ok! Answer questions truthfully and positively. It’s worth remembering to keep your answers concise and to the point, expanding on relevant information only. Be careful not to ramble onto a different subject, or you’re at risk of forgetting what the original question was!
Answering Those Scary Competency-Based Questions
Your interviewer will be looking for you to demonstrate certain competencies required for the job and may ask you competency-based questions. Some examples of these questions could be:
- Tell me about a time when you’ve gone the extra mile for a client
- Tell me about a time when teamwork has worked well for you
- Tell me about a time where you have had to prioritise your workload
- Give me an example of when you’ve had to work to a tight deadline
- Give me an example of when you’ve had to solve a problem on your own
Answer these questions by relating them to actual experiences you’ve had. You may have heard of a very helpful method of answering competency-based questions called The STAR Method, which we highly recommend. It is:
- Situation – what was the situation you encountered?
- Task – What did you have to do?
- Actions – What actions did you take to complete the task or resolve the matter?
- Results – What were the results of your actions?
Remember - You’re Interviewing Them Just As Much As They Are Interviewing You!
You want to make sure that the role and the organisation are a good fit for you, so don’t forget to prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision if you were to receive an offer of employment. You could ask open questions relating to the business and the role, for example:
- What is the set-up/structure of the department/team?
- What are the future plans for the business?
- What would be your expectations of me in the first three months?
- How would my success be measured in this role?
- What opportunities would I have to learn about other areas of the business?
- What are the key things you are looking for in a suitable candidate for this role?
- How soon are you looking for someone to start?
Concluding the Interview
Remember to thank the interviewers for their time, and ask them when you are likely to have a decision. Another good tip is to ask if they have any reservations about you as a suitable candidate at this point. This gives you the opportunity to re-cap and give reassurance to them. Lastly, if you want the job, then tell them you want the job! If they’re struggling to decide, they are more likely to choose the candidate with the most enthusiasm, who seems the most interested in the role.
If you have any questions on any of the information in this article, or if you’d like to see how we Talentwise Solutions can support you with either a job vacancy, or with your own job search, please do get in touch. We’re always happy to chat!
02477 981223 / admin@talentwisesolutions.co.uk
