Interviewing Tips for Success
By Lyan Ware Contributor
So, you’ve managed to compile a polished resume that made it pass the AI filtering systems, human resources, hiring managers, etc. and now you’ve nabbed yourself an interview. Congratulations! Now that you’ve managed to wow an organization on paper, so to speak, it’s time to outshine the other possible candidates with your ability to market yourself in person. In this article, we’ll go over some useful tips for impressing your interviewer.
If you hadn’t already vetted the company during the application process, research the company and make sure their work culture is going to be a right fit for you. LinkedIn is a very resourceful tool for this. Apart from being a useful way to market yourself in conjunction with a dazzling resume, LinkedIn will give you updates on the job market you’re interested in, as well as keeping you informed on what sort of people work in the prospective companies you’re wanting to work with. If possible, try connecting with someone who works for the organization, so you can get a better idea of what it’s like to be employed there.
Find out how the interview is going to be conducted. If your interview will be held on the company’s property, be sure take a look at the location on Google Maps, so you can familiarize yourself with the parking situation. Calculate the driving time for the commute and arrive early, setting aside a good chunk of time for traffic adjustments and possible unanticipated variables. When you do arrive, be mindful to act courteously to everyone you encounter in and around the property. As soon as you step out of your vehicle, become the pinnacle of professionalism until you’ve left the property.
If your interview is being conducted over the phone or via teleconference, be sure to prepare by having a strong Wi-Fi connection, and a quiet, clean space. You want to eliminate as many distractions as possible. If the interviewer wants to use video, make sure the camera has a clear, level, straight-on view of you from the chest up. Having a neutral, clean backdrop is also very important, so plan out the space ahead of time.
Take a look at the job description again. Make sure to be prepped on the specific skills the job is looking for, so that you can market yourself to those skills. For the “tell me about yourself” introductory spiel, talk about the highlights of your previous experiences, like your achievements and impact with other organizations. Connect all your interests, background, and skills with the prospective job qualifications. Keep your answers short and concise; they should not exceed 2 minutes. This is why rehearsal and preparation are crucial. When sharing an anecdote or experience, employ the “STAR method”: respond by describing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing, making sure that it remains relevant to the job’s desired skill set. Rehearse your answers to typical questions to reduce any anxiety you might have. This will also minimize your “ums” and “uhs”, making you appear confident and credible.
It would also help to look up vlogs on people who speak about their own interview experience with roles similar to the one you’re applying for, this will further prepare you for what to expect, thereby making you less nervous. There is a lot of content available on YouTube which goes over questions asked for specific jobs. Much of this content is being put out not only by interviewees, but also by those who have conducted interviews themselves.
When it comes to the part where the interviewer asks if you have any questions for them, curate your questions to demonstrate how seriously you feel about the role. Below are a few examples of questions you can ask them:
- What can I anticipate from my day-today?
- What are the other departments I can expect to interface with often?
- If I were in this position, how would my performance be measured? How often?
- Can you describe the attributes of someone who will be successful in this role?
- What are some of the difficulties I can expect and prepare for with a job like this?
Lastly, when it comes to small talk, be sure to always keep it light and positive. Hopefully these tips have helped you. Best of luck on your journey to success!
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