How to do well in an Interview

Let’s be honest, there’s not many of us out there that particularly like interviews. It’s a remarkably daunting process, right? Having to convince strangers in a new company that you’re a perfect fit for the job can often feel unnatural and unnerving.

We know that all that’s left to do before you can claim your new position is to impress your future employer in that interview, however, this is easier said than done. Well, have no fear! We’ve compiled below our important tips and tricks to help you to ace your interview and guarantee that job as yours.

Prep prep prep!

We all know the saying; fail to prepare, prepare to fail. This is exceptionally relevant when it comes to interviewing, so you must put in a little effort prior to the interview to prove that you’re a great fit for the role and you’re serious about the job.  

First things first, it is vital that you research the company. The best thing to do is look at their LinkedIn, have a good look at their website (including their news/blog section) and reread the job application.

Remember to have a good read of your CV and be ready to elaborate on any work experience or qualifications. With any key attributes that you’ve included (that should be relevant to the job you’ve applied for), make sure you have great examples ready for when you’ve showcased these skills in a previous job.  

Preparing answers to common interview and industry related questions is also important to do before your interview. For behavioral and competency questions, have particular scenarios prepared that showcase your skills. Remember to utilize the STAR method when answering:

Situation: the situation you were in

Task: the task you had to do

Action: the action you took  

Result: the result of your action

Keen to find out more on competency questions? Take a further look here.

Finally, have a list of around 5 questions that you’d like to ask. Whether they’re from the research you had done on the company, their culture, career progression or specific job role enquiries, it’s important to have a list prepared. Having a notepad with you may also be useful for writing down any additional notes during the interview.

Before the interview

The last thing you want to be is late, so set off with plenty time in case of traffic or other potential delays. If it is a virtual interview, make sure you have sufficient Wi-Fi connection ahead of time to avoid any initial setbacks.

Lastly, dress to impress. First impressions count, so be clean, presentable and get the iron out for your clothes!   

During the interview

It is important to shake hands when introducing yourself. Small talk goes a long way and is a great way to break the ice to make you feel more comfortable. Remember to smile and make eye contact throughout the interview.

Speak confidently, calmy and take your time. Don’t worry if you need to think for a few seconds before responding to a question, its much better to think through your answers instead of rambling!

Don’t forget, this is an interview for them as much as it is for you. It’s important to determine whether you actually see yourself as a good fit and is somewhere you’d actually like to work.

Once the interview is over, remember to thank them for the opportunity and shake their hand.

After the interview

Keep in contact with the employer; thank the interviewer for their time and follow up on the next steps.

Remember, hindsight is 20/20 - it’s common to overthink the interview and pick apart your answers. The employer will expect you to be a little nervous, so don’t worry if it didn’t go 100% how you’d have liked!  

If you do find that you weren’t successful, don’t let it knock your confidence. Use this as experience, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from the interviewer.

Good luck!