The ABCs of a Twinkl interview
Made it through to interview? Congratulations! Your hard work is paying off and you’re getting closer to the finish line. You know you’re a good candidate, but there’s still work to be done. Preparing for an interview may feel like it comes with an endless to-do list, but in this post you’ll see it’s as simple as ABC! Here are the most important things we think are worth considering before interviewing with us at Twinkl. :)
A- Answer the question
It may seem blatantly obvious, but it’s easy to slip away from what’s being asked when you’re a little nervous. If it’s a two-part question, remember to answer both parts! Although the interviewer is certainly not trying to catch you out, their question might be somewhat nuanced. Make sure you listen carefully, and ask if you’re not certain. 😊
B- Body Language
Body language can tell us lots and lots! If you’re slouched, frequently looking away from the screen and/or at your watch, you might give the impression that you don’t want to be there. Communicate that you are focussed on the interview, nodding where appropriate, keeping eye contact where possible (or at least keeping your attention on the screen if the interview is taking place on a computer.)
C- Connection!
In these peculiar times, most interviews are taking place over Hangouts, Zoom and Skype. Make sure you have a good connection to the internet. That way, interviewers can hear all your responses, without having to wait for your audio to catch up with your pixelated video! A good connection to the internet will help you to demonstrate how you can be an asset to the company uninterrupted.
You can use this link to check your internet speed: https://www.speedtest.net/
D- Double Check
Whether or not the internet connection is dodgy, everyone is bound to mishear a question at some point in their lives. If you’ve not quite understood a question, or are uncertain that you’ve heard correctly, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. It’s much better to double check, rather than give an irrelevant answer to a question you might not have fully understood or heard.
E- Explain
In many interviews you’ll be asked to talk through an action you took or decision you made. An ideal answer around this includes an explanation of why you took that action. See these two answers below…
“I decided to resolve the conflict by speaking to both of the people involved individually.”
“I decided to resolve the conflict by speaking to both of the people involved individually. This meant I could get more of an insight into what the source of the conflict was and have a better chance of resolving it…”
Which do you think the interviewers will prefer?
F- For example…
Just like with explanations, examples enrich your answer by giving them a stronger, more directed structure. Concrete examples provide evidence of your experience and skills. 😊
G- Get some rest
Rest up the night before your interview; this will allow you to perform at your best when it comes to the interview. If you’ve been up until 4am the night before, you might not be as sharp as you could be on the day. Get some rest so that your mind and body are in the right state to attend the interview.
H- Honesty
Be honest to yourself when answering these questions. It’s okay to tell the interviewer that you might need a little training and development in a certain area. Give the answer that you think is most true to you, not the answer you think the interviewers are looking for.
I- Inspiration
If you’re struggling to know where to begin in preparing for an interview, get inspired. Watch videos, seek help from peers… reading a blog about interview prep is a great start!
J- Job description
Re-read the job description! If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably already had a look at it. But the more familiar you are with it, the better prepared you will be. Who knows? It might give you some crucial clues as to what you will be asked…
If it isn’t on our careers page anymore, feel free to request the job description from your recruitment partner; they’ll be happy to send it over.
K- Keep an eye on our social media!
If you want to get know a bit more about what Twinkl is up to, you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn!
FB: Twinkl Resources
IG: @twinklresources
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/twinl-ltd
L- Learning and Development
Twinkl has a real focus on learning and development within the company. Before your interview it might be worth considering how you would like to develop and learn if you were to join the team? What new skills would you like to pick up? Which technical elements within the role would be a priority for you to learn a little more about?
M- Meeting the interviewer(s)
This isn’t a tip as such, but just a little information so that you have a little more idea of what an interview at Twinkl looks like. There are rarely more than three people on the panel, and only a fourth if someone is shadowing an interviewer. The first will be the recruiter, that you will have already had some communication with, the hiring manager and potentially another member of the relevant department.
N- Nerves
It is more than understandable that you might be nervous before your interview, and that’s okay. Even the interviewers have been the interviewees before. They understand you might be nervous. Nerves simply demonstrate how much you want the job and how hard you’re willing to work for it. Ensure you harness those nerves to put your energy into preparing well for your interview.
O- On time
Turning up on time is so important to giving a good first impression, especially if some members of the interview panel only have minimal information about you to go on. Agree on a time that you know you will be able to make easily.
P- Pause
It’s perfectly acceptable, if not encouraged that you take a moment to pause and reflect on a question that you need a few moments to think about. It is far better to have a few seconds of silence, followed by a relevant, carefully considered answer than immediately jumping into an irrelevant answer you haven’t had time to think through.
Q- Questions
Ask questions!! It’s just as important for you to feel like the company is a good fit for you. The best way to do this is simply ask. The interviewers most likely have first-hand experience of what it’s like to be working at Twinkl; ask them how they’ve found it working there.
R- Research
Research is essential. You’re not expected to know everything, but the more you know, the better. Research the company, its social media, and culture and values. If you can effectively demonstrate that you’ve done your research, it’ll show the interviewers how proactive you are, and that you’re excited by the prospect of working with them.
S- STAR
An ideal answer has a strong structure, particularly when answering behavioural questions on past experiences. By following STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) you’ll make sure to cover most, if not all of the relevant information you need to convey when giving a scenario-based answer. Describe the situation, give context. Outline the task: what problem or situation needed to be resolved? Action: what did you do and why? What was the end result? Were you happy with it? What might you have wanted to do differently? It’s a sure-fire way to shine and prove yourself to be the top candidate.
T- Task
There might be a task element to your interview, such as a presentation or a set of logical-thinking questions that will have been sent to you before the interview. This will be made clear to you once you are invited to interview. But if you are unsure, double check you know everything that will be required of you. If there is anything other than some questions for you to answer in the interview.
U- Ups and downs
There is no such thing as a perfect interview; it won’t always be possible to immaculately answer every single question. If you find that you go through ups and downs in your interview, do not despair! One answer that you’re not completely happy with doesn’t mean you won’t get the position. Don’t lose morale and don’t give up. 😊
V — Values
The majority of companies have a set of values or a code of conduct. Twinkl’s four main values are as follows:
Go above and beyond.
Lead the way.
Do the right thing.
Be lovely.
Familiarise yourself with the company’s values. Decide which you identify with most, and potentially apply them to your answers in the interview.
W — Waffling
No matter how partial you might be to the sweet Belgian delicacy, waffling can end the interview on a sour note. It can negatively affect communication, making it hard to follow your answers. Keep your answers concise and, most importantly, pertinent to the question. This way the interview will go much more smoothly for the interviewers and yourself.
X — eXtenuating circumstances
If you feel like you will not be able to make the interview, communicate that to the recruiter you’ve been in contact with. We are living in unprecedented times and life can get in the way. If you give enough notice, there is a chance they can rearrange.
Y- You
Remember, this interview is about you. It is a chance for you to decide if the company is a good fit for you as well as an opportunity to show off! Tell the interviewers about your achievements, what you’re proud of. If nothing else, it can be a self-esteem exercise. So, when asked about a situation that had to be resolved, tell us about what actions you took and how what you did affected the outcome.
Z- ZZZ — post interview fatigue
You might find yourself feeling tired after an interview. It’s understandable; your body has most likely been pumped with adrenaline and nerves. Treat yourself, and relax. You’ve done great! 😊
About me: Michael is a Talent Acquisition Assistant for Twinkl Educational Publishing, a globally expanding company. He’s most recently been hiring for roles that look to expand our international market in Portugal, Brazil, Italy, New Zealand and Romania. Drop him a message at michael.jordan@twinkl.co.uk.
Read more: Hiring at Twinkl!
