The 5 Ultimate Job Interview Tips
The Job Interview
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes … and job interviews. Yet, in today’s competitive market, more so than ever before, the importance of interviews cannot be underestimated: it’s your opportunity to distinguish yourself from the crowd. But fear not! With a few simple tweaks, your next interview can be transformed from a daunting ordeal into a personable, illuminating, and dare I say, exciting experience! If you’ve never heard of the STAR method, go straight over to our guide to competency based questions.
It’s all too easy to slip up and make a mistake when speaking to your potential boss, but arriving prepared, having meticulously researched questions in your back pocket and demonstrating your unique skill set with relevant real-life examples gives you the best chance of securing that dream role.
1. Preparation
No-one likes a blind date, so why take the same approach to your job search? The interview is a two-way process; it’s as much about determining whether this company will suit you, as it is about impressing your future employer. This means you need to have a firm grasp of the core values of the company, who you are speaking with, and what makes them tick.
Start your preparation by thoroughly researching your potential employer. This might mean getting back to basics. Precisely what is it that they do? What does their social media tell you about the company culture? But, crucially, how does your experience correlate with these answers? This research will distinguish you from your competitors, demonstrating exactly how your personal journey harmonises with theirs.
But don’t think that your preparation stops there. The success of an interview can be determined by the connection you make on a personal level: however clichéd it may sound, first impressions really do count! Whether you’re speaking to the receptionist or the CEO, you should be approachable, polite and engaging.
In doing so, you’ll signal your competence and demonstrate your research into the company’s culture, and something as simple as a shared passion may spark your interview into life, propelling you within reach of your goal.
This point is arguably even more important if you have a telephone interview or a video interview, so it’s worth doubling down on your preparation to make a good impression.
2. Ask Great Questions
The person sitting opposite you has heard it all before. Don’t be another robotic candidate, primed with generic answers to generic questions. Instead, use your research to ask your own targeted questions which prove that you are the capable, enthusiastic and intelligent person they are looking to hire.
At the end of most interviews, they’ll ask if you have any questions. A good follow-up question is a great opportunity to invert the dynamics of the interview: you can simultaneously display a desirable astuteness while figuring out if this role is right for you. For the 9 questions you should ask, look no further.
3. Show Precisely How You’ll Add Value
Prove to your potential employer that you’re the horse to back by supporting your answers with real-life examples of your impact.
Unless you’re applying to work in a casino, you’ll realise that most employer’s don’t like to gamble; they’re looking to hire someone who they know will add value to their business.
You need to ensure that your examples are relevant to the position and company that you’re applying to (your research will come in handy at this point). When deciding which examples to use, try walking a mile in an employers shoes — ask yourself: ‘does this clearly demonstrate that I can make a positive impact at this particular company?’
There are also big bonus points for examples that you can quantify. For instance, if you’re recounting your sales experience, prove that you had an impact by telling your interviewer that you achieved a 30% revenue increase in that quarter.
4. Elaborate on Your CV — You’re More Than a Sheet of Paper
Spare a thought for your interviewer, they’ve sifted through countless stacks of CVs to get to this point. So please, avoid at all costs sounding like a bland résumé incarnate. Instead, inject some energy and personal intrigue by relating your accomplishments to examples of your success.
This is the time to illustrate how you will add value to this specific company by pointing to concrete evidence of your accomplishments. This formula is essential if you are to secure the job- if your personality, skills and achievements align with the demands of the role, you’ll be on to a winner!
Of course, this all starts with writing a great CV — take a look at our 5 expert tips on how to do this.
5. Make Sure to Follow-up the Interview Promptly and Politely
Even if your date goes brilliantly well, your chances will be scuppered if you leave them on radio-silence. The same applies to your job interview: thank the interviewer for their time. Whether you decide to send an email or even a handwritten note, this is a really nice touch and will definitely set you apart from your competition.
It’s pretty common to pass through an interview in a state of adrenaline-induced delirium which makes it a little tricky to remember specific moments. But if you can mention a particular moment or pick up a conversation you had, it’s a great way to continue building rapport with your interviewer. Just make sure to include the names of everyone who was involved in your interview process.
Put These Tips Into Action
It’s time to demystify the interview process- you maximise your chances of success if you prepare well, engage your potential employer with insightful questions, and correlate your achievements and skillset with the specific qualities and values of the company.
Finding the right job is a process of trial and error, however, by following these steps you give yourself the best possible opportunity to differentiate yourself and leave your interviewer with a memorable impression.
Originally published at https://academy.jump.work on February 12, 2020.
