on the job
J
ob interviews can be daunting, so it’s important to approach them with the right mindset and plenty of preparation. It’s critical to research the company before the interview, as hiring managers will ask what you know about the organisation. Looking at the company’s website, press releases and social channels can provide up-to-date insights about the organisation that you can use during the interview. The research will help you talk more knowledgably about why you think you’re a good fit for the company and demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm. If you’ve applied for a job via a recruitment consultant, then don’t hesitate to ask them for advice on who you’ll be meeting and what they’ll be keen to find out. Remember that interview success is a skill that can be learnt. Here are some top tips to help you succeed in your next job interview:
• Match your skills to the job specification – interviews often start with an open question such as: ‘Tell me about yourself.’ Many candidates fall into the trap of describing their life story. Start with your current role and explain why you have the skills and experience for the job.
• Research your industry - demonstrating you know what’s going on in a particular industry is great for interviews - ask questions about industry trends, how the company plans to respond, and link your experiences to them. Research their closest competitors and how they compare.
• Prepare examples - employers always want concrete examples to demonstrate your skills and experiences. Have two examples prepared for each skillset specified in the job advert and make sure your answers focus on the actions you took and the results you achieved. Be ready for standard questions such as ‘Why do you want this job?’,
‘What are your strengths and weaknesses?’ and ‘Where do you want to be in five years’ time?’
• Knowledge gaps - if you think the job involves a skill or level of expertise that you don’t have, be proactive and think about how you’re going to handle this. For example, if the role involves people management think about instances where others have looked to you for guidance which could include project management, or buddying/mentoring for new starters.
• Prepare questions - at the end of the interview you’ll be asked if you have any questions. Don’t ask about salary, promotional prospects or perks as these are things you can negotiate when you’ve been made the offer. Instead, ask ‘What do you enjoy about working here?’ or ‘If I was offered the job what preparation could I do?’
• Decide what you’re wearing - it sounds so simple but you don’t want to waste vital preparation time choosing your outfit, so plan what to wear in advance.
• Plan your route - nothing looks worse than an interviewee who arrives late or gets lost. Plan your route in advance and leave plenty of buffer time in case of delays. Aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early.
• If in doubt, ask for clarification – if you’re unsure what the interviewer really wants to know, don’t be afraid to ask them to clarify their question. Not only does this stop you from wasting their time but it demonstrates your confidence.
• And finally, remember it’s a dialogue - it’s easy to get nervous before interviews but remember they want the right candidate as much as you want the right job so keep calm and be as natural as possible.
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