Interviews can be a real nerve-wracking experience, not to mention answering the interview questions. I remember arriving for one of my first interviews ever with sweaty palms and a racing heart. That was no fun!
But it doesn’t have to be.
You can walk in cool and relaxed and equipped to blow the mind off the hiring manager, provided you get your act together.
Below are my top tips on how to go through an interview from start to finish. Do this and you’ll be the king of interviews. Now is the time for new beginnings and new careers.
Congratulations
First of all, Congratulations! You have clearly submitted a worthy CV or application form and the employer sees potential in your abilities. Now is not the time to doubt yourself as you have already been short-listed. Let’s now look at some tips going forward. If you have problems presenting your CV, Canva is a good resource.
Become a Company Research Expert
Step 1 is getting to know everything (and I do mean everything) about the company.
You don’t just want to check out their website. Really dig in here and learn about this company from the bottom up.
Company Values
If you have ever taken a Business course, you will most likely have covered Mission and Core Values. This is something you will want to investigate about the company you will be visiting.
“What is the primary goal of this firm? What values do they hold? How do they look to the world?
For instance, look at the company LEGO. Their company values centre creativity, learning, caring, fun, imagination and quality. If you were applying to work within the branding department for LEGO, they would most likely want to know that their values are something you can execute.
The Latest Updates & Announcements
Consult the company’s recent press releases and media coverage. Know what new products they’ve come out with, where they’ve expanded, what awards they’ve won – anything in the last year or two that you might want to know.
This information will tell you about the development of the business and what’s next.
Trends and Market Analysis by Industry Experts
Check out what has been going on recently in the company’s specific market. Events, technologies, expansion – stay on top of the big stuff.
This shows that you really know the company well.
Become an Expert on the Role
Alright, let’s move on from getting to know the company as a whole to figuring out what role you’re looking for.
Really read the job description out loud so you know exactly what you are getting into. Concentrate on:
Practical Duties
What are the tasks, projects, and duties that will be part of this job day or week?
Look for what they require – Excel knowledge, programming languages, finance analysis, etc. Remember these.
Desired Qualifications
Do they need degrees, certifications, years of experience? Any important soft skills such as communication, co-operation or organisational capacity.
Take note of each qualification and requirement – be sure to show how you tick them all off.
Goals and Objectives
If you can, attempt to work out what it is the company requires from their potential employee.
What kind of impact do they want the job role to have on the department/company mission and vision? And how will they quantify accomplishment?
Create an outline for every key requirement, qualification and goal. Consider what their need is based on your own background, talents, and experiences.
Interview Questions
We are all set now to get you set up and prepared to answer confidently the most common interview questions.
I suggest to practice asking questions aloud. Make it a habit to reply fluently and clearly, just as you would on stage.
Here are a few questions to master:
- Why do you need this job?
- How did you find out about this job?
- Why are you the right fit for us?
- What are your strengths?
- Where are you most susceptible?
- Tell me about yourself.
- 5 years from now, where will you be?
- Why should we hire you over the other applicants?
Do these again and again until you have the definitive answers to your questions at hand. Conduct at least one practice interview (with a friend or relative acting as the interviewer and asking interview questions).
Put on the Right Outfit for the Situation!
On interview day you’re going to want to be shaved from head to toe. Here are a few outfit ideas to look great:
- It is good to wear a suit in a neutral dark color such as black, navy, or gray. Dresses are also well-blended.
- Pay attention to the small things – clean and shine shoes, cut and clean nails, tidy tangles and lint. Don’t let messy distract you from your look.
- Wear your perfume or cologne light – you want to impress, not wake someone up with allergies.
- Get rid of vibrating keys, phone rings, and clunky purses. Keep it simple.
You’ll be more confident with a professional appearance. So take care in your choice of interview clothes and you’ll be ready to go.
Be There On Time (But Not To Early)
As we are all aware, “Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable. It’s even true for interviews!
Arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Get comfortable with those few extra minutes:
- Go to the bathroom to check your makeup – brush out loose hairs, floss teeth etc.
- Bring a bottle of water with you, incase you lose your voice or have a coughing fit!
- Go over your notes one more time to ensure important facts are fresh on your mind.
- Deep breaths to wind down and center before performance.
If it’s a video interview, jump in to the call 5-10 minutes early to set up your tech. Your internet, microphone, and camera should all be working correctly. Exit any unneeded apps.
Punctuality will show that you are organised, motivated to impress, and respect their time. It’s the perfect start in impressing the hiring team.
Use Body Language to Look Confident
When you’re actually stepping in for an interview, you want your face and body language to be confident, enthusiastic, and involved.
Some tips:
- Keep your eyes open while speaking to build rapport. Don’t look so intently at them, but look up at least once.
- Sit reasonably straight without being stiff. Slouching looks distracted or monotonous.
- Move slightly forward to indicate engagement in the dialogue.
- Nod with a smile when speaking so it sounds inviting. Just don’t overdo it.
- Quit fiddling and try hand motions with a purpose, not flailing your hands. : Maintain control.
- Make sure you have passion and enthusiasm in your voice when speaking about your background and experience. Ensure that you display an interest in the position.
Don’t forget to smile on meeting people and give a warm shake if you can.
You might be a little nervous inside, but you can turn your body language around to look cool, calm and confident outside.
Most importantly, just be you. Bring your natural personality and communication into the room. Relative relationships will stand out.
Do you need some extra help with the interview? See our free document below for tips on the actual interview!
Ask Smart Questions
Near the end of most interviews, you’ll have an interviewer asking you if there’s anything else they should know.
This is your opportunity to express curiosity, get to know the role and company more in detail, as well as evaluate whether or not it sounds like a good fit for you.
Think ahead some questions such as:
- What is the best thing about working here? What is the culture like?
- What are some immediate projects or issues that this role will encounter?
- What are the most important competencies and characteristics you’re seeking in a potential hire?
- Is there room for career development or advancement within this role and team?
Make a note of their responses, and follow up when you can to demonstrate your participation. You can get into a deeper exploration around what interests you.
It is also the best moment to ask for clarification or details on anything you are not completely clear on (what job it is and what the objective is and the team and so forth). Use it to verify that this job is your dream job.
Follow Up Promptly with Thank You Notes
Don’t just stop trying when the interview questions are finished! Send thank you emails within 24 hours to each individual you met with.
Personalise each note with something special you gleaned from interviewing them, such as:
- Thank you for introducing the new project development methodology. I’m also looking forward to the cross-team collaboration opportunities it opens up.
Recite just 1-2 key strengths or qualifications you hope resonated with them. For example:
I’m confident my past social media analytics experience would allow me to really excel in maximising engagement metrics in this role.
Be friendly, business-like, and positive in general. Grammar-check before sending!
Notifying them quickly lets them know you appreciate their time and are eager to be part of their team. It carries you into their mind when they go to hire you.
