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Let me guess, you hate job interviews (I mean, who doesn’t?)? You’ve applied for a fantastic job and you’re through to the next stage – congratulations!
But you’re worried you’re going to screw this up. Maybe you’re returning to work after a long career break, maybe the kids are at school and you’ve decided now’s the right time to go for a promotion. You’re not feeling particularly confident.
Maybe you’re thinking “I can’t do this”. Well, guess what, actually you can!
You’ve already nailed the application with an amazing CV. You’ve already beaten so many other candidates to the next stage of the recruitment process.
Just remember that you’re amazing and you’ve got this in the bag.
So no matter how nervous you are, if you follow these steps you are giving yourself the absolute best chance of getting the job….
#1. What is your future manager looking for in an employee?
To truly nail it in the interview you first need to consider what it is your potential manager is looking for in an employee.
Ultimately, what they are looking for is someone who will make their life easier.
They are recruiting for this position because they have work that needs doing and they don’t have time/don’t want to do it themselves. That much is obvious.
So from a technical point of view, the skills and experience they are looking for should be in the job spec or job description.
But, actually, managing staff takes up a lot of time. You are being sussed out to make sure you will be easy to manage.
This is all about your attitude.
Are you a positive, enthusiastic person? Are you reliable and on time? Will you work hard and use your initiative, doing what needs to be done before being asked? I’m definitely not talking about someone who is a pushover but someone who would you be a good representative for their team.
Or are you actually someone who is slightly unhinged, will turn up at 9:45am, sort out your car insurance for an hour using your work phone. Lose your sh*t at Wendy in accounts before telling them you have the dentist at 3pm and won’t be back in? No, of course you’re not, which is why you don’t need to worry!
#2. Do your research
One of the first questions I ask as an interviewer is “What do you know about the company?” If they give me a blank look and say “I didn’t have time to look at the website”, then I am unimpressed.
It shows a lack of interest in the company they are hoping to work for and my first impression is instantly tarnished.
There is no excuse for not doing your research. Do you have the internet? Yes, of course you do! Well, you can do your research then.
I think the best sources of information are the:
- Company website
- Annual Accounts – these will either be on their website, if not you can use Companies House website (where all companies have to file their accounts)
I know I’m an accountant but I always like to take a copy of the accounts with me to an interview. It immediately shows that I’ve done some research.
If you’re not used to looking at P&L’s and Balance Sheets don’t let that put you off the accounts. You don’t need to delve deep into the financials, just look at the wordy bit at the front. This report will immediately give you a feel for what the company does and its strategy.
If your research covers the following, you will have made a brilliant start:
- What does the company do? – products/services, brands
- How many employees? You can find this in a note to the accounts called “Employees”
- Headline financials – sales/turnover/revenue, profit (you can find these in the Profit and Loss Account in the Accounts).
#3. Don’t forget the paperwork
Gather together or print off all the paperwork you need and read through it the night before. Do you have:
- The job description – what will you actually be doing?
- The job specification – what exactly are they looking for so that you can demonstrate that you have those skills.
- Interview information – who are you meeting, where do you have to go and what time. That way you arrive early and unflustered!
- Your up to date CV – remind yourself of all the amazing things that you’ve done so that you can tell the interviewer!
#4. Prepare, prepare and (ummm what’s the other one, oh yes) PREPARE
Think about the type of questions you might be asked. Usually, this will be split between:
- Technical/competency based interview questions so that you can demonstrate that you have the right skills to do the job
- Value/belief based questions i.e. would you fit into the company and do you display the characteristics that they’re looking for.
Let’s split the two types and look at them in a bit more detail…
Technical or competency based interview questions
You have this in the bag as your CV shows you have the skills and experience they need but they will want to hear about it in a little more depth.
In order to nail the technical type of questions (often known as competency-based questions), you need to review the job description and specification so that you are really clear on what the job entails and exactly what it is they are looking for.
What are the individual tasks or projects you would be asked to work on if you were offered the job? What level of skill and experience will they want you to show that you have built up in your previous roles?
Now, look at the job description and specification alongside your CV so that you can match your skills and experience to the requirements in the job description and specification. Then when they ask “Could you please tell me a time when you….” you can say “While I was at X ltd, I prepared this on a monthly basis and this is how I did it”.
There are lots of brilliant books out there that will give you an idea of the types of interview questions you might get asked.
Ok, so there are many possible questions they could ask but often they can be grouped together as variations on a theme.
Remind yourself of the roles you’ve had and the skills and experience that you gained during that time. Then look at the questions and think of how you would answer each one.
Value/Belief questions
This is actually a lot easier to prepare for than it sounds. Most companies have “core values” and they will proudly talk about them whenever they can. They can almost always be found on the company website in the recruitment section.
Take the company values and brainstorm all the types of questions they could ask relating to that area. Spend some time coming up with answers that demonstrate these values.
So if one of the core values of the business is Change then it is likely that you will be asked about a time when you have made a change at work e.g. “Tell me about a time when you had to make an improvement at work?”
Once you have a couple of examples in your armoury, these can be adapted to fit other questions (obviously make sure the response is still relevant!).
#5. Dress for success
Find out beforehand what the company dress code is. But it goes without saying that you’re going to have to leave your hot pants at home.
Do a fashion show a week before to decide what you are going to wear. That way you have plenty of time to notice (as is so often the case with me) that there is a stain on it/hole in it/it’s shrunk in the wash (please delete as appropriate). You do not want to be dealing with that on the day!!!
Make sure it’s smart, comfortable and makes you feel super confident. I’m usually one for layering up since I’m always boiling at first due to nerves but then freezing when the air conditioning kicks in.
#6. Win both interviewers over
My biggest pet hate, after lack of research in the company, is when the interviewee only addresses ONE interviewer all the way through the interview.
It is tricky if there are two interviewers and one is asking all the questions but try to also make eye contact with the other interviewer and pay them some attention too!
#7. Don’t give one-word answers
Give full answers and examples so that you can demonstrate that you are their perfect candidate! The interviewer will have a list of criteria they want to check off. So if you don’t tell them about your skills and experience how will they know you have them?
Don’t be shy to let them know about everything you’ve achieved.
#8. Ask questions
Don’t forget that this is a two-way process. Job interviews with potential employers are a little bit like looking for a boyfriend/girlfriend. You might just not click. You made a joke that you thought was totes hilar but they didn’t get it? Do you really want to work for these people?!
The interview process is as much about making sure the company is the right fit for you and when you know, you know.
The added bonus of asking questions is that it shows to your potential employer that you really are interested in the company and the role you’ve applied for. Try to think of a couple of questions beforehand as you will almost certainly be asked at the end if you have any.
If they answer your question during the interview (or you just don’t have any), then when they ask you at the end if you have any questions I find the best thing to say is “I did but you’ve answered them as we’ve gone through the interview. I was particularly interested in X but you explained that when you talked about blah blah blah”. This shows not only that you are interested but also that you actually listened – win/win!
#9. Don’t stress about the test
“And we’ve just got a little test for you at the end of the interview.” That little word that puts the fear of god into most candidates!
Ask HR or your recruitment consultant ahead of time what the interview will involve and whether there will be a test. You can also ask what it will involve so that you can prepare.
I would just re-familiarise yourself with the usual Microsoft programs – Word, Excel, Powerpoint. Have a play about on your laptop at home so that at least that hurdle is out of the way.
Just remember that ALL the other candidates will be feeling just as nervous about the test as you so most people will make mistakes. The bar is set A LOT lower when it is under test conditions.
A test is just ONE element of the whole recruitment process. Chances are that if it all goes wrong but you had a brilliant interview, they will overlook the test and put it down to nerves.
Take a deep breath, read the question in full (if it’s on paper remember to turn over, just like your school days!) and do the best you can.
#10. Have confidence
I know it’s easier said than done but you are there because the interviewer thinks you have the skills and experience to actually do the job. They’ve seen your CV and have chosen you out of countless others to interview. You’re nearly there!
Of course, you will be nervous but it’s the interviewer’s role to put you at ease in order to get the best out of you. Smile, make eye contact and have a firm handshake.
Recap
So to recap, here are my 10 tips to help you nail it in an interview:
- What is your future manager looking for in an employee?
- Don’t forget the paperwork
- Prepare, prepare and (ummm what’s the other one, oh yes) PREPARE
- Do your research
- Dress for success
- Win both interviewers over
- Don’t give one word answers
- Ask questions
- Don’t stress about the test
- Have confidence
And remember, if you don’t get offered the job, well firstly they’re fools and you got off lightly since you’re awesome!! Secondly, this is great experience for the next job you apply for. You’ve used up any nerves on this “practice run” and it means you will bag your dream role.
GOOD LUCK!
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