Preparing for an Interview
Many candidates will go into an interview with mindset that they are about to be interrogated, when in reality an interview is a conversation where you find out whether the job is right for you and for your employer to find out whether you are right for the job!
What is the point of an interview process?
It’s important, before starting to prepare for an interview, to understand the purpose of an interview. An interview is a conversation in which you and an employer exchange information.
- Your objective = to get an offer of a job
- Employer’s objective = find out what you have on offer (skills, experience, attitude, basic knowledge, etc…)
Many candidates will go into an interview with the mindset that they are about to be interrogated when in reality an interview is a conversation where you find out whether the job is right for you and for your employer to find out whether you are right for the job!
How should you prepare for an interview?
It’s important before you attend an interview, that you ask the employer what the interview will be like, so you can prepare yourself. For example, some good questions to ask include:
- How many people will be interviewing me?
- What sort of selection assessments will I have to complete?
(1) Find out about the employer
Research, research, research! Finding out as much information about the company as possible is super important, as it will give you confidence in your ability to answer their questions. It will also allow you to think of some solid questions that you can ask your interview panel. The best way to gather research about a company is to use their website or Google.
(2) Practise answering interview questions and prepare your own questions
You will have received a Job Description (JD) for the role you are applying for, this will help you frame and prepare some answers to questions that you might be asked in an interview. You should emphasise which of your skills and abilities are the most relevant to the role.
For example, a for a sales role you may want to highlight your experience in customer service or communication. You should also read through the JD and formulate some questions specific to the role – this shows you are interested in the role!
(3) Plan your outfit and how you will travel to the interview
The night before your interview you should choose your outfit and plan how and when you will travel to the interview. Leaving these tasks until the day of the interview can add unnecessary stress to your already stressful day!
(4) Be clear about the interview process
Every organisation has their own interview process, so it’s vital that you are clear about each organisations process and expectations. Some may involve undertaking tests, delivering a presentation, or completing other tasks. You should know who is going to interview you (their names and how many people will be on the interview panel).
Additional tips to nail your interview!
- Listen carefully to what you are being asked – take a minute to think of an answer (there’s no expectation to answer a question immediately) – each question is an opportunity to demonstrate your strengths
- If you mishear or don’t fully understand a question, ask the interviewer to rephrase the question
- Speak for no less than 30 seconds and no more than 2 minutes per answer
- Be enthusiastic and excited!
- Show your knowledge of your employers’ organisation – research, research, research!
At Platinum, we really enjoy helping candidates succeed in an interview! If you want to organise a time to talk through some tips and tricks to prepare and nail that interview, then get in touch with one of the team members at Platinum. We are more than willing to help!