You are Prepared and Researched – Now its Time to Wow!
So, you have prepared and researched as much as you can for your interview, and it is now time to wow your interviewer with all your fantastic knowledge. But how will you get all that knowledge across? How can you make sure you are representing yourself as well as possible?
- Arrive early and dressed to impress – You want to arrive at least 10 minutes early to show you are organised and keen. Dress business smart, but avoid too formal, unless you know that’s the company vibe (suits aren’t usually necessary).
While waiting, don’t sit on your phone. Instead, have a look through your notes and check out the space around you – get as good a feel as you can for the environment.
If your interview is over video, still dress as you would otherwise, and log into the meeting early to allow for any technical difficulties.
Get Comfortable and Composed!
- Stay calm – When you arrive, shake the interviewer’s hand and smile. This will show them you are confident from the first minute. You can ask the interviewer an introductory question, perhaps how they are or how their day is going.
If your interview is online you can use the same techniques, sit confidently and smile until they start asking you questions.
During your Interview – Follow our Methods!
- Keep your answers concise and relevant – Interviews will take many different formats. Some may dive straight into the interview questions (e.g. what do you know about the company, what do you understand about the role) while others will start with more open questions (e.g. tell us about yourself).
If they go straight into interview questions remember to stick to the STAR method (details below), whereas if they go for more broad questions like “could you tell me a bit about yourself” avoid launching into your life story. What this question really means is “why are you a relevant candidate”, so stick to things like your degree, uni and what has made you decide to go for this career and this industry.
- Use the STAR method – Competency-based questions will ask you to describe a time you have achieved something in particular. As an example, they may say “Can you tell me about a time you’ve had to deal with a tricky customer?” The best way to approach these questions is by Using the STAR method.
STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action Result.
Situation: What was the situation surrounding the example you’re using?
Task: What was it that you had to do?
Action: What did you do to get the task done?
Result: What was the outcome of your actions and what was achieved?
Using this format means your answer will be structured, concise and not rumbly. If a question take you a little left-field, give yourself a minute to think of a great example rather than panicking. Tell the interviewer, “let me have a second to think of an example” and formulate your response.
Take Your Time and Follow up!
- Take your time. Don’t rush your answers. If faced with an unexpected question, pause and think. You can tell the interviewer, “I need a moment to think about that” or “That’s a good question, let me think of an example.”
Sit confidently in silence while you gather your thoughts, then respond with a well-prepared answer. However, use this approach wisely. Overusing it can make you seem unprepared. Rushing may lead to vague, uninformative answers.
- Follow Up. Before leaving, ask about the next steps to understand the process and timelines. Follow up with an email thanking the interviewer for their time. Invite them to contact you with further questions.
- If unsuccessful. Ask for feedback to improve. Accept feedback gracefully, listening without interrupting. Avoid burning bridges; your goal is to learn and grow.
Remember, interviews are not just about answering questions but also showcasing your ability to think critically and communicate effectively. Taking your time to formulate thoughtful responses and seeking feedback when necessary are important steps toward continuous improvement.
Each interview, whether successful or not, is an opportunity to learn and grow. So, approach them with confidence, grace, and a willingness to adapt. The more you refine your approach, the closer you’ll get to landing the role you want.
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