As recruitment specialists, we understand that interviews can be nerve racking - which is why being prepared is essential. In this blog, we discuss some of our favourite top interview tips and tricks to help you get ready for any upcoming interviews.
As we all know, an interview may be the most important stage of the recruitment process, as this is how company's learn more about you as a candidate (and vice-versa!) and the possibilities of what you can bring to the business.
You would be surprised to know that very few people actually practice their interview skills ahead of this stage in the recruitment process - simply because you can never be certain of questions that the employer may ask at the time. Most candidates tend to prepare for a list of questions they think will be asked, whilst also researching the basics around the company. However when you reach your interview stage, you can feel put on the spot and under pressure when prompted with questions you may struggle to answer.
We believe that preparation for your upcoming job interviews will benefit your interview skill set - furthermore, you will also appear calm and collected whilst giving yourself more control in your answers to your prospective employers, qualities which are invaluable to most employers.
Here are some of our preparation tips to help you make a bigger impact on your future application and interviews.
Application.
It can be difficult to keep track on each application when you're applying for various roles - to make it easier for yourself, print off a copy of the selection criteria and your application. It can be an easy mistake to attend an interview and to be unsure of what the actual job role is when you've applied for many similar roles, or what you originally presented to the employer that helped you stand out from other candidates.
Make sure to re-read everything to make sure you're confident in what the employer wants from the perfect candidate - this is a great way to start thinking about any questions you may want to ask regarding the role.
Having your CV to hand will also make you look prepared and can help you and the employer refer to anything without looking unorganised.
Research The Organisation.
Most candidates tend to read the 'about us' page on a company's website - at the very least, you should familiarise yourself with their history and what they do. To stand out, dig a little deeper and find out what their future plans may be.
Showing the employer that you've taken the time to learn about the business will always leave a good impression during an interview. Looking into developments within the industry will also show them that you're engaged and knowledgeable about the sector and company.
You need to give yourself plenty of time to do this thoroughly as there's always a lot more to a company than you may expect - it helps to allocate a day to really process all the information that's out there to be able to discuss it confidently and efficiently.
Understanding the company will also bring benefits to the interview process, so it's a good idea to explain why you want to work there, referring back to the company details.
Questions.
In most interviews, you will more than likely be asked if you have any questions at the end - this is a great opportunity to show your interest in the company, so make sure you're prepared for this by having your questions about the business ready.
Asking questions at the end of an interview can seem extremely daunting, but it is your final opportunity to prove that you're a good fit - it will also show that you've made effort to prepare and put thought into your questions.
It gives you the opportunity to find out about the role in more detail, to see if the role is right for you. A good question will always help to develop a better understanding of whether you'll be happy in the role at the company.
Don't feel scared to push for information that you find relevant to yourself. Employers will like the fact you want to know more about your potential role, as long as it isn't just finance related.
Understand Culture.
Understanding the company's culture before your interview is important for many reasons. You want to make sure the company is a strong fit for you in terms of responsibilities, colleague interactions and also working environment. You will be happier in a role where the company's values align with your own, where you have a good working relationship with other coworkers and in a role where you will feel supported and encouraged.
It's also important to prove to the hiring manager that you'll be a strong addition to the company's culture. After researching their values and what they expect from employees, you will be able to tailor your answers to the interview questions to highlight specifically what you have in common.
Knowing a companies culture will also benefit you in having the ability to plan the correct attire to an interview, as first impressions are crucial - should you dress smart or smart casual? Getting this wrong could make an impact for the initial first impression.
Body Language.
Preparing your responses for interview questions is a great way to appear prepared and ready when heading into any interview. However, you need to have good body language to follow with your answers as it's something your interviewer will notice straight away.
Remembering things about effective body language can help you communicate a positive message to your interviewer. You can make a great impression with eye contact and a smile - keeping an interested expression and eye contact for 2/3 of the interview will show that you're engaged and ready to take on the role.
Remember to be yourself, the interviewer is there to meet you and to get an understanding of your personality to see if you're a fit for the company and co-workers. Although interviews aren't the most natural and relaxing setting, just make sure you try to put your personality into the process.
Another thing to consider is the fact that many interviews seem to be taking place remotely due to the pandemic. These tips definitely still apply, even when you don't have to go meet an employer physically.
There are plenty of things to consider when taking part in an interview via the phone or video chat including - placement of camera, background settings, background noises, wifi connection/phone reception, interview outfit and of course body language is still crucial.
Here at Talented Recruitment Group, we hope that some of these top tips help you when preparing for an interview - as these are some of our favourites, which are simple yet highly effective when attending any different kind of interview.