The prospect of a job interview can be really daunting particularly if it is your first one. You’ve worked really hard to get here and now you have managed to secure a meeting with your ideal company. That’s probably when the nerves kick in as you really want this job. We have compiled a list of tips to help you stay focused during the interview process and make you stand out from the competition.
1- Use your recruiter
A good recruitment agency will provide briefing notes including details on the organisation, job requirements & specification, dress code, etc. Your consultant should offer you an in depth insight into the role as they would have met with the client in person and discussed it in detail. Your agency will want you to secure that role so do not hesitate to call your agent before the interview with all of your questions and last minute tips.
2- Do your research
You cannot just rely on your recruitment agency’s briefing notes. It is crucial that you do your research and understand the organisation so that you feel prepared and calm during the interview. Always make sure you read the “News” section on their website as it is a great way to show your interest in the organisation as well as giving you potential talking points.
3- Prepare answers
Write down a list of questions you would ask yourself if you were the interviewer.
The common questions that often come up are:
– Why are you interested in the role?
– Why should we hire you?
– Where do you see yourself in a few years?
– What skillset/value can you bring to the company?
– What are your weaknesses?
– How do you describe our organisation?
Make sure you are honest and don’t hesitate to mention some of your weaknesses too as long as you can show how you are trying to work on improving them.
The interviewer will appreciate your sincerity and genuineness- and will remember you after the interview.
4- Prepare questions
Many clients regularly offer the job to the candidate who asked the most pertinent questions. This is a very important part of the interview as it shows that you are very interested in the company and role. Ask specific questions on the company culture, what are the company’s plans for the future, how would you describe the company’s main values, how has the company changed over the years etc. Interviews should also be about you making sure the role is the right fit for you so feel free to investigate a little. Try not to ask “me” questions such as salary, benefits, bonus, etc. These are of course important too but should be clarified with your recruiter ideally before the interview- or after occasionally.
5- Be yourself
There is no point overdoing it at the interview or massaging the truth. The interviewer might potentially be your employer for many years to come so just be yourself and explain exactly why you think you would be perfect for the job. Also bear in mind that by being genuine and not giving textbook answers will make you stand out from the crowd. There are hundreds of applications per job these days and personality traits such as honesty and integrity are very much in demand.
6- Stay positive
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. The worst case scenario is that you don’t get the job but will most probably get another brilliant role soon after. The more interviews you do the better (and calmer) you will be at the next interview(s). It is all about learning and there are many opportunities out there so failing one is not the end of the world. In fact try and enjoy the process, you should see this as a new challenge in your life, a way to improve yourself and grow.
7- Learn from your mistakes
Sometimes you don’t get the job just because the other candidate simply has a better personality fit for the company. This can be very frustrating but there is not much you could have done so just keep going and one day you will definitely be the right one for the company. However sometimes there is definitely room for improvement and the interviewer would have passed on their feedback to your recruiter. Be open to criticism, this is the best interview tip you could get as it is tailored to you. No one is perfect so don’t beat yourself up and move forward making sure you learn from your mistakes. As already mentioned, life in general is all about learning and improving oneself.
8- Keep trying
The more interviews you have the closer you will be at securing your dream job. Keep trying, failing, trying again and one day it will all make sense. We are lucky to live in such a vibrant city with hundreds of opportunities so just keep trying, send your CV, contact recruiters, attend networking events, spread the word! And most important- enjoy it all, the good and the bad!
At TalentYard we make sure we support you throughout the recruitment process, even through the bad times. We offer support, feedback, and positivity.
Contact us today to learn more.
0203 866 8931
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