So You’re Asked to an Interview…What Now?
After hitting the job market and spending tireless hours applying what you’ve read in the last two articles, now is the moment. You’ve got a call from the hiring manager asking when you’re available for a quick chat.
Interviews may look different these days, as more companies are conducting remote interviews with job candidates. As the saying goes, “fail to prepare, prepare to fail”, so here are some tips that you can use to make sure you get this job, whether the interview is in-person or over a video conferencing platform. You’ve got this!
Research the company. You’d be surprised how few people actually do this. Unless it’s a brand that you already know inside out, you’ll need to look things over again. Not only will this help you with the following tasks, but you’ll also be able to answer interview questions with “I noticed on your website…” or “Looking at your product portfolio…”, which are both impressive! Like with your cover letter, it demonstrates that you have actually prepared for this interview and made an effort to commit these details to memory.
Review the job description and the resume you’ve submitted. Remember, the organization has already given you answers to the interview questions. Now, just as you did with the cover letter, think of examples when you’ve addressed these issues in your career. Try to quantify success where possible, whether that be an estimate or a firm figure. For instance, if you saw an 80% increase in sales, or if you were one of the higher performing team members last year, tell them! You’ll want to also look over your resume to familiarize yourself with dates, times, and other supporting details.
Remember the STAR method when you’re thinking of answers to questions:
Situation: Where you were or what you were doing
Task: What was the overarching goal you were working towards
Actions undertaken: Be specific and focus on what you did
Results you achieved: What happened and what improved
There are plenty of other acronyms and methods out there, but the bottom line is to underpin your relevant experience in a concise way. Don’t present your hiring manager with a stream of consciousness.
4. Dress to impress: It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed in an interview. If you really don’t know what the dress code is, inquire during your phone interview. These questions can show that you’re willing to buy into the corporate culture, as well as give you the information that you need. This may seem like a no-brainer, but don’t forget to brush your teeth and take a shower. Finally, take a notepad and pen to the interview, even if you don’t jot anything down.
5. Handling the nerves: Interviews are nerve racking, even more so when you really want the job you’re interviewing for. Again, the best way to handle these jitters is through preparation. The person doing the interview is a person just like you. With that in mind, speak with them like an actual person, not a robot. Consider your tone as well. While I’m not saying talk to them as you would over a beer with your buddies, you don't need to be hyper formal either. Balance is key. Body language is also important. Keep a relaxed yet alert posture, and don’t forget to breathe!
6. Think before you speak: I’d like to close out by reminding you that what you say is just as important as how you say it. You want to come across as sure in what you know and do, but not arrogant and cocksure. Try to reduce the filler words, those “umms” and “uhhs” (mine are “sort of” and “really”) If you need to have time to think, just take a pause. You don’t need to fill every bit of silence with your speech. Ask for a glass of water when starting the interview, or take a bottle with you. When you need to think, or you’re drawing a blank, take a drink… or a dramatic pause. Lastly, don’t throw your colleagues or former employers under the bus. No matter what may have occurred on the job, remember those that helped you get to where you are now. If you do discuss them, do so with respect.
As always, let me know what you’ve found works for you. Likewise, if you have examples of when you’ve used any of these suggestions in the past, please share them for the benefit of other readers. Let’s try and help each other out here! Feel free to reach out through the site or via LinkedIn. Good luck!