Our top tips a successful interview
Category: Tips and Advice
Publish date: 03/03/2021
Last month, our Career Consultants provided some expert insight into the best way to approach the job application process. This month, they’ve provided some interview tips to help you make a real impact and increase your chances of landing the role.
Research:
Research, research and research some more. Know your audience (the company) and know the job inside and out by reading the job advert in detail. Prepare examples of when you’ve used the skills/qualities required for that particular role, and quantify your answers with results.
Make sure you identify some key points about the employer and their industry, and incorporate them within your answers. This’ll show that you’ve done your reading and are genuinely invested in the role. It’ll also help you to highlight how you could offer solutions to some of the business’ challenges if you were to land the job.
If you’d like some advice or guidance on refining your research approach, remember to book some time with your Career Consultant!
Use your notes:
While not being able to attend face-to-face interviews right now may seem alien to some, there’s a silver lining with virtual interviews. And that’s the fact you can use notes! Write some of your key points/research on post-it notes and place them around your monitor/screen so you can easily refer to them to strengthen your answers.
This is something you’d be unable to do in person, so why not use the situation to your advantage? You’ll be able to provide more impactful answers and ensure you make the most positive impression possible. And remember to look into the camera, not at the screen or around your workspace. That way you’ll be looking directly at the interviewer and be able to build a better rapport; and they’ll never know you’re using notes!
Not attended an interview in a while? Don’t worry, you can refine your interview technique using Interview Simulator in myPlan.
Take your time:
Regardless of whether you’re attending a face-to-face or virtual interview, it’s important to take time when responding to the interviewer(s). Always pause before you answer and really think about what you want to say. This will help give your brain a chance to formulate a more concise and impactful answer.
And don’t worry about these pauses. The interviewer(s) will be perfectly happy to wait for your answer, especially if it helps them acquire the information they’re looking for without having to ask additional, probing questions. Nevertheless, once you’re finished, feel free to ask if they’d like any more information or for you to clarify anything.
Ultimately, just be yourself and try to enjoy the experience. If you’ve done all the background research and prepared effective ‘stories’ to demonstrate your past successes, you’ll have nothing to worry about.