How to Ace Your Next Interview - Updated

I first published this blog back in May and since then #thegreatresignation is in full swing. I have helped many clients undertake mock interviews in the space of only a couple of weeks and 99% of them have not been fully prepared for the interview process. So, in addition to the below blog I want to reiterate two very important points:

If you have managed to navigate the job search and find something that appeals to you, you are already half way there; what’s more if your CV has made it through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and through human pre-screening and your application was accepted then you deserve a massive pat on the back! Navigating this part of the process in itself is hard work and getting invited for your first job interview is a massive accomplishment…so congratulations!

Perhaps it’s been a while since you last interviewed for a position or maybe you have never actually had a formal interview. Many clients simply feel more confident going into interview when they have spent a little extra time preparing for it with someone experienced in this process. These are by far the least prepared sections of the interview:

Preparing for Interview Step 1 – Do your Research:

·       Make sure you check out the website of the company you are applying to and/or their social media pages…but what are you looking for?

·       Understand the Mission, Vision, Values & Culture of the company to which you are applying;

·       Make sure you 100% understand what the company does and how they do it;

·       Read the Financial Reports if they have published them, as well as any strategy documentation;

·       What are the company talking about most vigorously on Social Media- are they particularly expressive about people and culture? Are they interested in corporate social responsibility?

 Preparing for Interview Step 2 – Use LinkedIn:

·       Link up with or follow people from the company – especially your interviewers, if you know who they will be, as well as the Recruitment Team;

·       Get to know them and what they stand for, so that you can ask informed and relevant questions;

·       Link up with people who work in the position you are applying for as well as those who have held those positions before. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions and really understand the role and company better.

Original Blog as Follows:

How to Ace Your Next Interview

I decided to use Interviews as the topic for this week’s blog post because it has been the topic of much conversation around me in the past week. One client worried about not being offered a job after being headhunted, a friend worried about whether the tattoo on her hand might have swung it in the wrong direction for her. Having returned from more than a quarter of a century overseas and not having done a job interview for most of that time, another friend has done six in a noticeably short space of time. So why are they not getting jobs?

It’s difficult to tell people why things are not going in their favour – they’ve done so extraordinarily well to get this far – their CV and Cover Letter have impressed their target audience, they have had their LinkedIn profiles scrutinized, the online application has met all the essential criteria and they have made it through to interview. The feeling of pride for getting this far is short lived, however. It’s all too easy to overanalyse and worry about each little thing which can then affect your performance in the next interview. Try not to let that happen, there are many reasons why you might not have been successful, most of which are not personal. Also remember it is perfectly acceptable to ask for feedback when you receive the news about not having been successful, not doing so will mean you can’t be as prepared for your next interview.  

At this point in time, we are starting to emerge, once again, from a series of lockdowns related to the Coronavirus pandemic. The labour market has been in turmoil and still is. It means that there is a great deal more competition for roles and those who are successful enough to get to the interview stage mean that they are competing with others who are equally as driven, hungry for success and qualified as you. Bear in mind, that sometimes you are just pipped at the post because of current circumstances, not because of something personal.

What can we do to increase our chances?

1.       Question Prep: Prepare a list of possible questions that you could be asked and rehearse your responses – the list of questions will be rich and varied and depend upon your field/ position/ location etc. Don’t skip this step, despite it sounding like a cliché, even in preparing for these questions, if you are asked something a bit left field you should be more prepared than you would have been.

Here are a few examples of things you may be asked:

Ø  Tell us a bit about you

Ø  Can you walk us through your CV?

Ø  What attracted you in this position?

Ø  Why do you want to work for us?

Ø  What makes you the best person for this role?

Ø  Why do you want to leave your current role?

Ø  What have been the high and low points of your career?

Ø  What is your long-term career plan? What does your 5- and 10-year plans look like?

Ø  If you were to come into this role – what changes would you make within the first 1 month, 3 months and 6 months?

Ø  How would you describe your leadership style?

Ø  What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Ø  Tell me about a time you had to juggle multiple high-priority tasks. How did you handle it?

Ø  Given the events of the past year and the current situation what is your predicted outlook for the industry?

Ø  What do you think the industry could be doing better now to help reinstate its importance in a post pandemic world?

Ø  What does excellent service mean to you?

Ø  What are your salary expectations?

Ø  What are your expectations from us as an employer?

2.       Research the Company: Research the company and the position you have applied for. Really understand what makes them tick – what are their core values, mission, and vision? What has been in the press about the company? What can you find out that will make you stand out as somebody who really knows their stuff?

I remember having an interview to do a summer job at a castle in Scotland 20 years ago; I didn’t know anything about the history of Scotland, but I stood outside the castle before my interview and read all the story boards around the place and managed to memorise some dates. I was asked in the interview to tell them something about the history surrounding the castle and I was able to answer the question – which in turn probably got me the job…but it was a fluke! Make sure you know exactly what you are talking about!

3.       Research your Interviewers: If you know who will be interviewing you, take some time to research them, their roles, and their career paths. Link In with them and show that you are interested. You’ll feel like you know them a bit better and that will positively impact your rapport in the interview.

4.       Video Interview Tips: If you are doing a Video Interview online here are some mini tips to think about:

·       Try to have a clear background behind you – not too cluttered and nothing that will take the attention away from you;

·       Check your signal, microphone, and camera in advance;

·       Make sure you are familiar with the technology they are using for the interview and that you have everything to hand on time;

·       If possible, ensure you have no distractions at the time of interview – although that is easier said than done;

·       Try to reduce sound pollution around you;

·       Sit face on to the camera and sit up straight with an open posture – don’t sit side on;

·       Although it is tempting to be distracted by yourself on camera, try to continue to make eye contact with your interviewer(s).

5.       Interview Personal Presentation Tips:

·       This one is important, no matter what level of position you are applying for try to dress as smartly as possible. Clean, well ironed clothes, polished shoes, clean hair, and nails etc. First impressions will always mean something – the way you look is an outward projection of your character and prospective employers will always appreciate that you have made an effort;

·       Think about your body language. Sit up straight, don’t slump, don’t cross your legs or fidget. Use your hands to gesticulate, avoid the need to fold your arms. Make eye contact.

·       Take your queues from your interviewers – if they reach out to shake hands, then do so. Watch their body language and try to be as open as possible. If they are very formal, your behaviour should mimic that.

6.       Role Play & Visualise Success: I know that ‘role play’ comes with many connotations and it puts people off, but practicing your interview skills end to end and visualizing a positive outcome can have great successes. Ask a friend to help you.

7.       Listen and Don’t Talk too much: Nerves can sometimes make us babble. Try to breathe calmly and listen carefully. Only answer the questions you are being asked. Sometimes over describing won’t go in your favour and you could end up talking yourself out of a job.

8.       Create your 100 Day Plan: If you are applying for a higher-level position, it makes good sense to prepare a 100-day plan of things you would hope to achieve on starting your new role. Even if they never see it, having it in your mind will prove useful when answering your questions. If you get through to the next round of interviews, it is very possible that you will need this in presentation format so the more research you do the better.

9.       Create a Career Portfolio: I am used to managing teachers and trainers. My biggest piece of advice for them is to create and continually enhance a personal career portfolio which showcases the high points. Take this opportunity to demonstrate using tangible items, what you have achieved in your career. This could be positive reviews and feedback from customers, clients, and colleagues – a thank you message for example. This could be certificates and training you have completed. This could be photographs of you going about your work or awards you have received. This is a visual representation of you and what you stand for and in a world where concentration spans are ever diminishing and people are becoming more and more visual, this could be just what your audience are looking for.

10.   Prepare Questions to Ask: One of the biggest let downs at interview is when candidates don’t ask pertinent questions about the company, the role, the strategy. It can make you look like you are not really motivated. Don’t ask questions about money, benefits and things that make you look as if you are only interested in yourself – you mustn’t appear to be desperate. This is your chance to show how enthusiastic you are about getting this job and what you would need to know to be able to get stuck in quickly. Try to use the information you have learned during the interview to ask further questions.

If you would like to discuss your next interview, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I would be happy to go through the above with you and make sure you are as prepared as you can be. Good Luck!