Well done, you – your wonderful CV has secured you a job interview. First of all, pat yourself on the back – the interviewer thinks you have the skills and experience for the job. An interview is your chance to highlight these skills and show you are the right person for the job.
Now, I know that interviews can be nerve-wracking. The good news is that by spending time now preparing for an interview (and the questions you are likely to be asked), you will calm your nerves and be more likely to get the job. As a Recruiter, I’ve helped 1000s of candidates prepare for their interviews. I give them lots of hints, tips and advice on how to shine and showcase their best qualities. Now, I am bringing you my ultimate guide on preparing for YOUR interview and landing your dream role.
Interview research
When I worked as a Recruiter at one of the Big 4, we always asked candidates why they wanted to work for us. This question tests how much you know about the company and what research you have done. Candidates who demonstrated they had researched the company were likelier to get the job than those who answered, ‘You are one of the Big 4’. This answer was too generic and one most people would know without doing any in-depth research (and for more no-nos at a job interview, read my blog post – The top 5 mistakes made when attending an interview – and how to avoid them).
So you’re probably thinking, ‘Ok – I know I should be doing some research….but what research should I be doing’? Well, fear not – in this blog post, I’m here to tell you exactly what interview research to do.
So…. what interview research should you be doing?
- Visit the company website. You’ll get a feel for the company culture and what’s important to them by reading its About and Sales pages, mission statement, new initiatives, etc.
- Run the company name through Google News. Have they been in the news recently? If so, why? Have they had any big client wins? These are great things to mention in the interview, and show you have done your research!
- Who are their competitors? How do they fit within their market? These are things for you to consider. By researching their competitors, you can enthusiastically explain to the Hiring Manager why you want to work for their company over and above anyone else.
- Visit their LinkedIn Company page. Here, you will see their recent updates and initiatives. You can also look at LinkedIn to see who else works there. Perhaps you know one of their employees? Give yourself a headstart by getting in touch with them to see what the culture is like and the type of individuals they like to hire. Use LinkedIn to see who their most recent joiners are and what their background is. Doing this will give you an idea of the type of person they like to recruit. Whilst on LinkedIn, have a look at your interviewer’s profile. You can see their background and career history. Knowing where they previously worked, or the university they attended, can help you build rapport. “I see you used to work at X. I know X, who worked there. They said it was a great workplace,” is an example.
- Visit their other social media accounts. This will give you more material to refer to in your interview, making you look knowledgeable and keen.
- Don’t forget to check out any customer or partner stories you might be able to find. This can help you understand how a company’s products and services are used in the real world and the feedback/reviews they’ve received. It also helps you to see (and therefore talk about) the wider ecosystem in which the company operates.
Plan for possible interview questions (and answers)
Read through the job description. What are the key skills and experience asked for? Now, think of examples where you have demonstrated these skills in your own life and previous roles.
Here are some examples of questions you could be asked:
On the job description: You must be able to use your own initiative.
Possible interview question: Can you share an example of a situation where you identified a problem or opportunity in your work and used your own initiative to address it?
On the job description: Must have excellent IT skills.
Possible interview question: What systems have you used, and how have you upskilled yourself when new updates have become available?
On the job description: Provide analytical and well-documented reports to update the team on project progress
Possible interview question: Can you describe a specific instance where you had to provide an analytical and well-documented report to update your team on a project’s progress?
Many interviewers use competency-based interview questions. A competency-based question requires you to provide real-life examples of when you have demonstrated specific skills. A competency-based question could look like this:
Describe a situation where you had to manage a difficult stakeholder. How did you go about improving the relationship?
OR
Give us an example of when you had to make a difficult decision. What did that process look like? What was the outcome?
The best way to answer competency-based questions is to use the STAR technique. I refer to the STAR technique in my How to Write a Great CV in SIX Easy Steps blog if you need a refresher. The STAR technique requires you to refer to a challenging Situation, elaborate on the Task you undertook to overcome the challenge, what you Achieved and the Result.
Structure your answers following this format: what was the problem, YOUR role (sorry, not your team’s role – we’re not interviewing your team, we’re interviewing you, so lose the ‘we did this, we did that’ which makes it hard for us to assess your individual contribution), and the outcome? If the result saved time or money, let us know! We love it when outcomes can be measured!
Top Tip: Keep your answers concise, and make sure you listen to and answer the actual question. Many candidates are rejected because they don’t answer the questions asked. Instead, they give answers to questions they wish had been asked or ramble, taking too long to get to the point!
Think about why you want the role. You will be asked this question! Use the job specification to emphasise that you have the qualities the recruiter needs and stress how the position aligns with your future goals. Research the career paths that those who have done this role typically follow to demonstrate your ambitions and passions.
The interviewer may ask you about your strengths and weaknesses. Candidates typically find it easier to talk about their strengths, but talking about their shortcomings demonstrates self-awareness. When discussing your weaknesses, explain how you are trying to improve on them. For example, “I can sometimes be a bit of a perfectionist, meaning some tasks take longer to complete. However, I am trying to set time limits for each task so I don’t spend too long going over the same thing and neglect other work.“
Another question could be, ‘Where do you see yourself in 5 years?’ By asking this question, the interviewer is testing whether you see yourself as a long-term hire. Ensure you connect your professional goals to the skills and goals you hope to gain from the role. You can also refer back to the career paths others who have previously done your role have followed.
Top Tip: If you don’t know the answer to a question, be honest. The worst thing you can do is lie. Assuming the interviewer knows the answer, you will come across as untrustworthy if you answer incorrectly. If you don’t know the answer, just say. Follow this up by saying you will find the answer after the interview. Offering to find the answer makes you look proactive and enthusiastic.
Mastering the interview process is all about preparation and practice. If you want to elevate your interview game and approach your next opportunity with unshakeable confidence, our Interview Confidence Boost is the ace up your sleeve. With personalised coaching and mock interviews, we’ll help you articulate your value and leave a lasting impression. Ready to ace your next interview? Check out our Interview Confidence Boost, and let’s get you prepped for success!
Practice, practice, practice
They say that practice makes perfect. In this case, it is true. Recruit your mum, dad, boyfriend, dog (actually, perhaps not that one) to act as the interviewer. Get them to ask some typical interview questions, and practice your answers. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will become. Ask for feedback so you can improve before the big day.
If you don’t have anyone to practice with, record yourself answering typical interview questions on your phone and play them back. Objectively assess how well you’ve answered each question and improve from there.
Plan your route (or tech)
First impressions count. What is the guaranteed way to make a wrong first impression? Arrive late. Aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early for a face-to-face interview and 10 minutes early for a virtual one.
Plan your route or test your tech beforehand. For a virtual interview, make sure everything is working (laptop charged, Zoom dial-in correct, web camera on, etc.). Ensure you have a plain, neat background and are in a light room – you can also purchase a cheap ring light to brighten up your face when talking on screen. A messy background in a dark room does not show you in the best light – excuse the pun. If attending a face-to-face interview, plan an alternative route in case the worst happens, and you get stuck in traffic. By factoring in extra time, you will cover yourself for any eventuality.
What shall I wear to my interview?
Unless you are interviewing for a super-creative agency, stick to smart business attire. This is still the case (at least on your top half) for a Zoom video interview. Business attire for men would be a suit and tie. Women should wear smart business clothes, ideally with a jacket. No joke – I have known a candidate rejected at an interview because he didn’t wear a tie. The interviewer felt this gave the impression he couldn’t be bothered. Clothes speak a thousand words!
Do you have any questions for us?
I can guarantee this will be the final question of your interview. DO NOT SAY NO TO THIS QUESTION. Remember, an interview is a two-way street. Use this opportunity to find out as much as possible to determine if this position is right for you. Asking some questions will also make you look keen and enthusiastic. Good questions to ask would be:
- What are the key objectives for the role?
- How will my performance be measured?
- How does this role fit into the wider business?
- What are the plans for the business over the next 3-5 years?
- Are there any opportunities for learning and development?
These questions demonstrate that you will be a great, long-term hire for the company — someone dedicated to improving your skillset and happy to go the extra mile.
For more ideas on must-ask questions at the end of your interview, read my blog post – Questions to ask at the end of EVERY interview.
Is there anything I should take to an interview?
Take a pen and notebook to the interview to make notes on the role and company (remember, an interview is a 2-way street. You’re interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you!). Bring 2-3 copies of your CV. You should keep one for yourself and give one to the interviewer. You can occasionally refer to examples in your CV when answering interview questions.
Bring along a map so you don’t get lost. Take the interview confirmation so you don’t forget your interviewer’s name!
Put all of the above in a waterproof folder in case of rain. You don’t want documents getting wet and soggy.
How should I end the interview?
Thank the interviewers for their time. Follow up with a thank-you email to the interviewers (and the recruiter if they organised) within 24 hours of your interview. This is polite and demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role. Not everyone does this. By making an effort to send a thank you, you set yourself apart from the other candidates.
Now, it is a waiting game to see if you have got the job. Don’t be too disheartened if you get a call saying you have been unsuccessful. We’ve all had our rejections (I bet even Bill Gates didn’t get every job he interviewed for!).
The best thing you can do in this situation is to ask for honest feedback. Knowing which areas you fell short on means you can improve next time. Sometimes, a company will hire an internal candidate if it feels they will hit the ground running more quickly. Other times, it may be because you drank a 2-litre bottle of Coke throughout the interview (true story: one of my candidates did that during the interview; they were subsequently rejected). Whatever the reason, it’s good to know. Keep your chin up and keep applying. You’ll get there – I promise. And have a re-fresher on The Top 5 Mistakes Made When Attending a Job Interview, so you can check you aren’t making any.
If they offer you the job, that’s fantastic news – congratulations! Now is the time to negotiate your salary and package. Read my post – Ten easy ways to achieve a higher job offer, so you know how to get the best salary and package you can.
Blog Summary:
Preparation is Key: Thoroughly research the company, its culture, recent news, and your interviewer. This not only shows your interest and dedication but also enables you to tailor your responses and questions more effectively.
Anticipate Questions: Reflect on the job description to identify key skills, and prepare examples that demonstrate them. Practice answering common and competency-based questions using the STAR technique to structure your responses clearly and impactfully.
Showcase Your Unique Value: Interviews are your opportunity to highlight why you’re the best fit for the role. Use your research and prepared examples to demonstrate your suitability, ambition, and how you can contribute to the company’s goals.
Ask The Interviewer Questions: Prepare thoughtful questions that show your genuine interest in the role and the company. Asking about challenges, company culture, and future plans can provide valuable insights and show you’re considering the role seriously.
Don’t forget the Follow-Up: End the interview positively by thanking the interviewers for their time. A follow-up thank-you email reiterates your interest and sets you apart from other candidates. If you don’t get the job, ask for feedback so you know what areas to improve next time.