You mulled over the online application for several days before finally pressing the send button and breathing a huge sigh of relief.
The stress and panic are gone and instead you feel anticipation, excitement, will you hear back? And when? Then the phone call comes, you’ve landed an interview and back rush the stress and panic. Stop.
Don’t allow the rush of emotion to get to you, most people would avoid interviews if they could, the best we can do is make sure when we do them, we do them well.
Many people will use the line, ‘I’m just not great at interviewing’ when they’re declined for yet another promotion or new role. Most of us aren’t great at interviewing and it’s rarely a skill that comes naturally but with real focus, you can implement key techniques to project confidence and remain positive throughout the process – This shows and it matters,
- Practice Makes Perfect
There are those who will roll into an interview, ready to allow answers to slip of their tongues having completed little to no preparation and there are those who will practice until perfect, right down to their very handshake.
Finding out the types of questions you will be asked in an interview isn’t difficult in the age of the world wide web. A few google searches and you can narrow this down. Think of some strong answers for the questions which are interchangeable. Don’t have an answer for every question you may be asked, otherwise you will be much too vague in your responses.
Review the key criteria for the role and intertwine this into your answers, they need someone with strong project management skills, use those buzz words to impress the interviewer. They are often ticking a box, you can make this easy for them.
- The Interviewer Decides Your Fate
If you speak to your potential interviewer on the phone, gather as much information as possible and start building a connection from the offset. A good rapport and a proper connection with your interviewer will increase your chance of getting hired.
- Do Your Homework
The majority of companies will ask you why you want to work for them, don’t give some generic response about them being reputable and a huge firm. Really think about what matters to you and find something you can connect with.
Are you passionate about well-being in the workplace? Research what the company does for their employees and highlight this as a real positive in your eyes. That extra step to knowing the company will earn you extra points.
- Dress For Your Day
Whether we like it or not, image matters. If you turn up to a corporate interview with ripped jeans or any jeans at all, you could be hindering your chances. Understand the company dress policy and stick to it rigidly.
- Be Early
This goes without saying, arrive 15 minutes ahead of time. Not too early that you become part of the furniture in the waiting room and not too late that you rush in with a red face and drip a bead of sweat onto the desk.
Preparing for an interview is necessary, some people will wing it and get away with it but in most cases if you don’t put the work in, you won’t reap the rewards.