Walk the walk. Talk the talk.
Make the right entrance
- Interviewers see a lot of candidates. Many will have made their minds up about you in the first 5 minutes. So make sure they remember you for the right reasons. Be punctual. Look smart. Give a firm handshake – you’ll be amazed at what a difference it makes. Stay relaxed and confident.
Research the company
- Interviewers are looking for evidence that you really want the job. Just saying so isn’t enough. So check out the company’s website, read the trade press and demonstrate you can talk knowledgeably about the industry sector, mentioning the latest business news or major press stories.
Engage with the interviewer
- Don’t limit your answers to yes or no. But don’t waffle either. Stay calm if you get asked a tricky question. Take a minute to think and ask for clarification if needed. At the end, don’t forget to ask a few questions yourself. It will show your commitment to understanding the company.
Turn a negative into a positive
- You will be asked to describe a failure, weakness or negative. So be prepared. Answer honestly but end positively. Mention what lessons have been learned or what you’ve done since to improve a weakness. And don’t be negative about previous employers, however justified. Your interviewer might think you’ll be talking about their company in the same way soon.
Sell your skills
- Identify your top three or four strengths. Most employers are looking for candidates with good communication, teamwork, leadership and analytical skills. So make sure you mention these. And back them up with evidence.
Honesty is the best policy
- Be positive but be truthful, both in your CV and at interview. Embellish too much and you could be caught out when asked to expand further. Everyone has weaknesses, but the way to handle them in interviews is to identify what you’re doing to improve them.
Make sure you’re prepared for these killer questions
- Why do you want this role? What makes you think you’d be good at the role?
- Why are you better than the other candidates applying for the role?
- Can you talk about something you saw in the news recently which you don’t agree with?
- Can you give me an example where you initiated an idea that other people didn’t agree with?
Ending the interview
- Before leaving the room, there are a few things you need to have covered. Make sure you know what makes up the next stage of the interview process. Make sure you know when you’ll hear the outcome of the interview you’ve just had. Make sure you express your interest in the role again and thank the interviewer for taking the time to see you.