You already know many of the best tips for interviews.
Make a good first impression. Be confident. Be prepared. Do your research.
These are all great if you know how to do them well.
As a university graduate, interviews can be some of the most important meetings we face. This post will help you to increase your chances of getting hired.
Interview Tip #1 – Being Prepared
If you’ve ever been a scout, you’ll recognise the saying ‘be prepared’. It applies to many things, but I’m sure they’ve been helping us with our careers all along.
Being prepared for your interview will do wonders for your confidence. It will help you to make a good impression.
Knowing about the company and knowing what you’re talking about will help you to relax and focus on doing your best.
It’s best to at least spend an hour looking into the company if you want to get hired. Key areas that you should research are:
- The company/business in general
- The particular branch you are applying for
- The particular job you are applying for
- Their biggest competitors
- Their biggest clients
- Their main products/services
- The company’s mission statement and values
- Career progression – what’s the next position upwards with that company?
Where possible, make it clear that you’ve actually done some research. If you get the chance to drop a sales figure or name the biggest client, do it. It will show your interest in the company, and increase the likelihood of getting hired.
Don’t be afraid to bring notes if you can’t remember all of this. An A4 document is too much; stick to a presentation card. Don’t fill that with tiny writing, either. A few bullet points will help prompt your memory.
Interview Tip #2 – The Rule Of Three
Whenever you meet someone for the first time, focus on the three things that you want them to remember you by. Three is the magic number here as any less will make you forgettable. At the same time, any more is excessive and too long to list out.
What are your three best attributes, and which of your attributes are best for this particular position? Relate these attributes to your experience in similar roles.
Interview Tip #3 – Ask Questions
Asking questions at an interview can show your interest and engagement. To ask good, relevant questions, you need to be paying attention and actively listening. Avoid thinking about anything else other than the interview. Doing so will make it easier to stay present and engaged.
If you can’t think of any questions, you’ve either 1) not prepared enough, or 2) been too focused on other things. It’s super easy to ask questions if you’re engaged and present. Ask about anything that’s appropriate.
For example, I once had an interview for an Adventure Activity Center. One of the questions I asked was whether I got to choose where I would work and what activities I focused on. This showed engagement and that I was listening.
I got offered the job, by the way, but turned it down so I could focus on this business. Questions like this show that you’re already thinking about a future with the company. This helps the interviewer to associate you with that position.
Interview Tip #4 – What To Take
You only need to take a few particular things to your interview. The essentials are a notepad and pen – take this anywhere regardless of the activity. Other desirable things to take are:
- Invitation and Job Description (don’t worry too much if it was digital)
- List of your contacts that may be useful to the company
- A copy of your CV and Cover Letter. This can help to remind the interviewer who you are and shows you’re proactive.
- Any portfolio work, if not digital.
- Supporting material, such as testimonials, references, or awards (social proof)
Remember to not take too much. Think about the things that will be essential, and try to only take those. If you think something will help your application, take it, otherwise leave it at home.
Interview Tip #5 – First Impressions
A friend once told me that first impressions account for so much. If you don’t make a good first impression, you’ll need seven more follow-up meetings. After seven more meetings, they’ll have a new opinion of you.
If you turn up to the interview wearing messy or informal clothes, your chances of getting hired will be low. I always default to wearing a suit, no matter how informal or casual the job will be. I once turned up to a stocktaker interview in a suit, with 5 other guys wearing casual clothes. I was also offered that job.
Body Language
Learn to manage your body language. Sit up straight, shoulders back, don’t slouch, look confident. Don’t fidget, stay focused, make eye contact, and smile.
The first time you meet someone, show them a big teeth-showing smile. Maintain eye contact, too.
Sometimes, you can create a better impression by pausing briefly before smiling. This makes it seem like you’re soaking in their face and personality, then smiling based on that. People like being happy. Smiles are contagious.
The Handshake
Your handshake should be firm, but not crushing. If your interviewer is a female, still shake her hand firmly, but not as firm as you would a man. If they don’t offer to shake your hand upon meeting, you should make the gesture.
When shaking hands, ensure that your webs meet. This is the part of the hand that connects the thumb and index finger. Doing so creates intimacy and an instant connection between the two of you.
The interview becomes much more relaxed if you make physical contact before beginning. It lets the other person know that you’re not a threat. To do this, you need to ensure you have a hand free when entering the interview space. Two-strap your bag and finish reading, drinking, or eating in advance.
Punctuality
Please, be early, but don’t rush. If you’re late, you lose a lot of respect. At the same time, don’t be overly early. 5 minutes is great, 10 minutes is acceptable (but you’ll be waiting for a little), 15 minutes is too much. Walk slower or wait in your car if you’re going to be too early. While waiting, don’t use your phone. Be present in the space, think through the interaction and your notes, and wait. You can read a non-fiction book if you like, as it shows you’re educated.
Interview Tip #6 – Personality Tips
You already know to be confident, but don’t be too confident or arrogant. The interviewer is the one in power, hiring you. Acknowledge this, but don’t suck up to them.
Be polite and friendly to everyone! This ensures you provide the best possible reputation. It’s likely people such as the receptionist will talk to the interviewer after you finish. Give them something nice to say. This is good practice for life anyway.
Be honest. It’s so much easier to tell the truth than it is to lie. You don’t want to come across as shady or uncertain, so tell the truth and give your honest opinion.
But, at the same time, don’t give too strong an opinion. If you despise one of the company’s products, don’t tell them this full-on. Water it down to ‘I’m not the biggest fan of X product’. People will respect you for having opinions, regardless of their own thoughts.
Interview Tip #7 – Think 50/50
Interviews are, in essence, conversations. Don’t let them do all the asking of questions and sharing of facts. Show you’ve done your research, ask questions. Take control of the conversation where appropriate. Ask about current developments and progress – what’s an exciting project the company is working on?
If the conversation tangents to a shared interest, don’t steer it back immediately. This is a great opportunity to show your passion and enthusiasm, as well as build rapport.
Ask about training and development opportunities. This shows a desire to grow and improve, and in turn will provide the best possible value to the company.
Additionally, asking about career progression such as through questions like “If I were to be hired, where would you see me in the company in 5 years time?” is good. This also puts an image in the other person’s head of you working at the company, increasing your employability with them.
Interview Tip #8 – PAR: How To Structure Your Responses
PAR stands for Problem, Action, Result. It is a system you can use when asked about your competency or your achievements.
Problem – Outline the situation, task, obstacle, or problem that you faced
Action – Explain what you did to solve that problem
Result – Summarise how you solved the problem. Reflect on your achievement, and give measurable and quantitative evidence when possible.
Interview Tip #9 – Surprise Questions
If you’re unlucky, you might get asked an extremely odd and irrelevant question. Or you could be given a random task to do. Don’t worry, these are designed to get you out of your comfort zone.
If you’re asked to share a personal story or tell a funny joke, you don’t have to answer. The important thing is how you handle the situation, and how you respond.
If you get anxious or nervous, the interviewer will pick up on that. Keep your cool and your sense of humour. Replying to the question with a super calm and collected answer will show confidence and an ability to work under stress.
Interview Tip #10 – What NOT To Talk About
- Don’t talk about pay or money. That will be discussed once hired.
- Don’t talk about holidays or benefits.
- Don’t talk about being ‘better’ or ‘having more experience’ than the interviewer or the company.
- Generally, just be respectful.
Remember, You Got This!
After reading this post, you’re now 100 times more prepared than you’d have been before. You got this! Think about it – you wouldn’t be invited to an interview if the company didn’t think you were suitable.
Thanks for reading.
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