Even if you've been successful in previous interviews or feel you have other irons in the fire, it can still feel daunting going through an interview process. Sometimes nerves can affect our performance or make us second-guess whether we've got what it takes to succeed. Being prepared is the key to minimising those pre-interview jitters and following the guide below can not only help take the pressure off and increase your confidence, but really improve how you come across to your interviewer and positively impact your overall chances of winning.
1. Be authentic and genuine
At least 50% of the hiring decision will be based on whether the interviewer believes in you. So be yourself and don’t be afraid to let them in to who you are*, what makes you tick, what motivates you, etc. If they hire you and you are completely different to the person they interviewed, that’s not good.
* It's important to note that if a large part of who you are is a hyper-anxious mess who tends to crumble under pressure, or someone who is actually rather lazy and prefers others to pick up the slack where possible... or someone who enjoys walking their 14 ferrets dressed as a court jester in their spare time... leave these parts out. We're talking about showing your best self!
2. Be humble
Nobody likes a show-off. There’s a fine line between selling your skills vs over-selling yourself. Focus on real examples of where you’ve made an impact, but in a down-to-earth way. If you aren't sure whether you sometimes stray over this line, you can always ask someone who knows you well how you come across (if you're feeling brave enough to hear an honest answer!).
3. Don’t waffle
The interviewer will be so distracted by you talking so much that s/he won’t be listening to what you’re actually saying (even if it’s amazing!).
4. Structure your answers
Make sure your answers have some structure to them. I really like the STAR approach*, it gives a sensible flow to what you're saying, ensures you get across the important points and will also reduce the risk of you talking too much.
* You can download the STAR approach guidance at the bottom of this article. Head to the Resources section of the Candidates page for more like this.
5. Know the JD
Make sure you know the job description inside and out and have actual examples of where you have got experience on each of the bullet points.
6. Research
Fully research the company including the latest financial results (if published), their brands, company culture, etc... and check Google for the latest company news.
7. Practice your CV walkthrough
This is from University to present-day. It should be between 3 - 6 minutes long, if it’s any less than 3 minutes then you’re not giving enough detail and any more than 6 then you’re talking too much! Practise in front of the mirror or, even better, with another human being. This is something we will do together if you interview through Talent Professionals.
8. Dress code
To tie or not to tie? I would always err on the side of caution and go with a tie but if you're one of our candidates you'll be advised before any interview on what the client expects.
9. Ask relevant questions
Have some pre-prepared questions. It’s really important that they are good questions (not what’s it like to work for X?), either about the company or the role. Be specific and, if you've read the latest financial results or the news about something happening in the company, try to identify something you're curious about that you can ask them. In my experience the more an interviewer is challenged the better.
We discuss examples of these during our interview prep sessions.
10. Enjoy it!
Have fun - weird I know - but so true and give it a try. The more you enjoy yourself and relax, the more they will too. Don't forget that it's two-way also - sometimes interviewers may have poker faces but if they are keen on you they'll be wanting to make a good impression.