Interview Cheat Sheet
Here’s 10 years of interview advice that will land you that 6-figure job.
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare:
— Learn everything you can about the company, culture and job challenges beforehand; it shows you care
2. Use STAR and on every job requirement:
— Situation — Set up the stage for the story by sharing context around the challenge
— Task — Describe your role in that situation
— Action — Explain the specific actions or measures you took to complete the task
— Result — Using numbers explain the ultimate result
3. Prepare a lot of stories:
— Interviewers love hearing stories; have several ready that show off your skills
— Keep stories between thirty seconds to a minute to stay engaging without rambling
— Have a clear, concise story for any sticky spots on your CV and be ready to explain them away
4. Ace the first 5 minutes:
— Your first impression is key; enter with confidence and speak clearly
— Break the ice with a compliment to make the interviewer warm to you
— If you share an interest with the interviewer, great, chat away! If not, don’t pretend
5. Be Honest. No BS:
— Always tell the truth in interviews; a fib can be spotted a mile away
— Remember, honesty is not just good for interviews, it’s a solid rule for life
— Being open about past mistakes makes you more relatable
6. Don’t be negative:
— Never criticise past employers or colleagues, as it may reflect poorly on your character
— With a positive tone, focus on what you’ve learned from challenging situations
7. Emphasise YOU and your potential:
— Don’t worry if you’re not a perfect match; show how quick and eager you are to learn
— Focus on what you’ve actually done and solid examples, not just what you were part of
— Focus on YOU over skills. Employers more often value attitude over experience
— Not everyone has read your resume; help them by repeating all the juicy bits
8. Not Too Short, Not Too Long:
— Balance is key; give enough detail without going overboard
— Practice your responses to gauge if you waffle and adjust accordingly
9. Don’t be afraid to think:
— It’s alright to take a moment to consider your response
— Pausing shows you’re thoughtful and take care in what you say
10. When it’s going poorly:
— If the interview seems off, don’t dwell on it; focus on nailing the next question
— It’s okay to check in with the interviewer to see if they need something more from you
11. Don’t overdo the questions at the end:
— Remember it’s quality over quantity; ask thoughtful questions
— Choose insightful questions that show you’re thinking about the VALUE you can add
12. Your interview isn’t over when you walk out of the room
