7 Helpful Interview Tips

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Going for an interview is never easy, in fact it can be quite a daunting task for many individuals who are searching for a new role. If you’re someone who struggles with the idea of being interviewed than hopefully you’ll find these tips helpful. As a recently qualified Recruitment Consultant here are 7 tips I share with my candidates prior to sitting down in front of a hiring manager.


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Research, Research, Research:

One of the most important pieces of advice that I give to my candidates is to make sure that they do their research before the big day. Having a thorough understanding of the job that you have applied for and the business that you hope to join will not only boost your confidence, but it will also allow the hiring manager to see that you care. A company’s website is a great source of information that you will be able to utilise in order to fully understand what the business does. It’s more than likely, you’ll be asked questions “what do you understand about our business?” so, demonstrating that you know about the products/services they provide and the history of the business can only make you look good. Whilst you will want to impress, the last thing that you want to do is burst through the doors and regurgitate word for word everything you’ve discovered about the business. It needs to sound authentic. Preparation is key and should include in your own words what you’ve learned.

I’d also recommend looking at similar businesses within the industry and map out their competitors, this will also demonstrate your commercial understanding and give you a good chance of standing out above the crowd. The best thing to do is continue to share your understanding throughout the interview, by showing the hiring manager that you understand the role at hand and how that plays apart in their organisation.

By making sure you have carried out your research, you will confidently be able to answer and discuss what you have learned. There is no worse feeling than turning up to an interview ill-prepared, as you’ll inevitably be found out. However, walking in and knowing that you have done your best to prepare will ensure that you are one step closer to success!


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Dress to impress:

First impressions count! If you present yourself in a way that shows you don’t really care about the job you have applied for this will, without a doubt, rub off during your interview. Make sure that you wear appropriate attire for the meeting and if you’re unsure, remember it’s always better to be overdressed than to be under-dressed.


Keep calm and carry on:

Many of us (me included) get very nervous before going in for an interview. This is a completely natural feeling and one that doesn’t have to be your enemy. In my opinion, nerves are a good thing. It tells you that you care about the outcome of this meeting, it tells you that you care about the way you present yourself and it tells you that you care about what others think of you. If you channel these nerves appropriately, you can use them to your advantage; they can allow you to do that much more research and be that much more prepared. Simple breathing techniques will enable you to take control of your nerves and to remain calm before walking through the doors of your interview.

If you would like to find out more about different breathing techniques, take a look at this blog post - https://bit.ly/35ZGZ6X.


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Show interest:

Interview – “a meeting of people face to face, especially for consultation.”

Notice that the definition of an interview is a “meeting” and not an interrogation. When attending an interview, it’s as much about you finding out about the company and the role as it is the hiring manager understanding your suitability for said role. Take this opportunity that you have been given and show interest in what the other person is saying. Usually, a hiring manager will go into detail about the business and what this opportunity involves. This is a great chance for you to engage with them and to demonstrate that you have a real interest in what they are taking about. Smile, nod and use conversation fillers such as, “ok,” “I agree,” or “I see what you are saying.” Be polite, show enthusiasm and think about it as having a conversation with a good friend of yours.


Examples of your work:

A common question to be asked in an interview is “tell me about a time when…” A great technique to demonstrate your competency and experience is to use the STARR method. (Notice how I’ve included an extra “R” in there, I’ll explain why in a moment)

Situation: Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.

Task: Describe what your responsibility was in that situation.

Action: Explain exactly what steps you took to address it.

Result: Share what outcomes your actions achieved.

Relate: Relate this example back to the question you have been asked or how this related to the job you are interview for.


Questions:

So, you’re coming to the end of your interview, it’s gone well so far, and you are asked “so, do you have any questions for me?” Ideally, you don’t want to be answering no to this, so make sure you some prepared with a notepad, pen and a list of around 3 or 4 good, relevant questions for the hiring manager. Doing this will, again, show your interest in the meeting and will demonstrate to the hiring manager that you came prepared. Top Tip: Avoid asking question that have already been answered/discussed during your meeting as this will come across as though you haven’t been listening.


Enjoy it!

Last but by no means least, enjoy your time. Interviews can be a great way to build relationships with many different people. These types of relationships will be of benefit to you whether it be now, or in the future. Enjoy having meaningful and interesting conversations with a hiring manager and have confidence in your ability to promote yourself.

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