interviews 101.
No two interviews will ever be the same – the experience is ultimately dependent on the people involved and how they (hopefully!) connect.
Nonetheless, there are strategies you can employ to prepare yourself for the best chance of success. And the key word here really is to prepare.
our 30 second guide to a better interview.
Short on time? We’ve got the basics right here for you. Or read on to dive deep and get properly prepped for interview success.
01.
Do your research
Think about what you want out of the opportunity
Talk to your recruiter
Plan your arrival
02.
Dress to impress
Arrive 10 minutes early
Treat everyone you meet as a decision-maker
03.
Non-verbal cues speak volumes
Be an active listener
Enjoy the small talk
Come prepared to answer standard interview questions
Do you have any questions?
04.
Thank the interviewer for their time
Debrief with your recruiter
before the day of your interview.
do your research.
Often candidate will be tempted to “wing it” during an interview, believing that charisma and a natural rapport with the interviewer will secure them the role. While chemistry is undeniably important, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t take the time to research the following key areas:
The business – understand the structure of the organisation, the culture of the team, and the type of characteristics that might make you a good fit, and any key projects or clients that have played a key role in their success.
The interviewer/s– make sure you know who you will be meeting with and how they fit into the business and relate to the prospective job. You might even consider doing a quick LinkedIn search or asking around, you never know who you might know in common!
The role – ensure you have read the position description thoroughly and have investigated any relevant projects or clients.
think about what you want out of the opportunity.
This serves dual purposes. Firstly, it forms the basis for you to ask thoughtful questions during your interview, which is sure to impress and will ensure you leave feeling well-informed. Secondly, it’s important that your expectations are clear from the outset and that you don’t set moving goal posts that give the impression you are “playing games” with the prospective employer – this can have major implications for your career in the long term.
Important points to consider:
Salary expectations – know your worth and be realistic about the remuneration that you would be happy to accept. Be warned, that you may be put on the spot and asked about this during your interview, so make sure your answer aligns with the expectations you have outlined previously with your recruiter or during the application process.
Career aspirations – consider where you want to go in your career and how this opportunity will contribute to your professional growth.
Culture preferences and values – think about the kind of workplace you’d actually enjoy working in – what are the people like? What is the management style? What are the working arrangements?
talk to your recruiter.
We may just be your most valuable resource throughout this process – so use us! We can help you understand the opportunity both in terms of the tangibles (organisational structure, key projects, role responsibilities) and the intangibles (culture, values, best fit).
We can also help you tease out what you want in your career next step, and how you can best approach more delicate points like salary expectations.
plan your arrival.
Understand where you’re going and how you are going to get there on time. Account for traffic, parking, etc.
If the interview is online – make sure you have chosen an appropriate location (a tidy, professional setting that is quiet and where you won’t be interrupted) and that your tech is set up and ready to go.
What you do before your interview is often just as important as your performance during. Thoroughly preparing yourself is key to your success.
the day of your interview.
The nerves are starting to kick in now, but thanks to your past self, you’re feeling well-prepared for a productive discussion. Now it’s time to set yourself up for a great first impression.
dress to impress.
In most situations, this no longer means a full-suit and tie, but it also absolutely does not mean a tracksuit or leopard skin leggings (yes even if it’s a video interview).
You can always ask us if there is a particular dress code within the organisation, but as a rule aim to look like what your Grandma would call “smart”. That means a collared shirt, blouse, or blazer, and trousers or a professional skirt or dress.
arrive 10 minutes early.
If you’re attending an in-person interview, plan to arrive 10 minutes early (accounting for parking). This helps protect you from arriving late if something goes wrong, and gives you the chance to take a breath and cool down before your interview begins.
If are attending a video interview, log on 10 minutes early. Isn’t it always the case that Zoom decides to update the day you log in for something important, or your microphone decides to act up? Be prepared and give yourself a buffer for tech troubleshooting.
If, due to unforeseen circumstances, you believe you might be late, let the recruiter and or the interviewer know as soon as possible. Err on the side of caution - if you’re stuck in traffic, call 15 minutes before, don’t wait until you’re already late.
treat everyone you meet as a decision-maker.
Be kind, courteous, and professional in how you present yourself from the moment you arrive on-site - you never know who might be watching. From the barista in the café next-door, to the guy in the elevator, to the receptionist.
during your interview.
The time has come, everything you have been training for has led up to this moment! In all seriousness, if you have taken our advice and are thoroughly prepared, and if you act like a normal, considerate human and engage with your interviewer, you’re pretty much guaranteed a successful interview.
non-verbal cues speak volumes.
Most people appreciate the importance of a firm handshake when they walk into an interview, but many will disregard the impact of body language after that.
Show that you are engaged and confident throughout your interview by making eye contact with the speaker, smiling, and maintaining an open posture (back straight, facing your interviewer/s).
be an active listener.
Demonstrate that you are engaged in what the speaker is saying through active listening:
Be present mentally – don’t let nerves stop you from following the conversation.
Show that you are listening by making eye contact, nodding occasionally, and smiling when appropriate.
Reflect and clarify when necessary, by summarising the speaker’s key comments and asking relevant questions.
enjoy the small talk.
Further to the above, actively engage with the conversation as it is, not how you expect it to go. Some interviews will be chattier than others, but be prepared to engage in some small talk, both by asking simple questions and responding with some insights about yourself.
This is your opportunity to start building a relationship with someone who may soon be your colleague or boss. It also sets a great foundation for future interviews because you’ll have some common ground next time!
come prepared for the standard interview questions.
Some interviews will be more formal, while others might feel more like a stream of consciousness. Even if you are expecting an informal discussion, make sure you are prepared to answer the standard interview questions:
Your general professional background or ‘career story’.
Your qualifications.
Your relevant experience – similar projects you have worked on, shared clients, or comparable challenges.
Your reasons for applying for the role and how they related to your career objectives.
Examples of crisis management – be able to relay examples of times things have gone wrong and the strategies you have employed to rectify the situation.
do you have any questions for us?
It might sound simple on the surface, but this is the question that most often paralyzes candidates. What’s important here is to understand the purpose of the exercise, and to construct your questions accordingly. The purpose is usually twofold:
To see if you can demonstrate your understanding of the role and that you have done your research and actively listened – therefore, your questions should be informed, and ideally address information that is not easily accessible, for example on the homepage of the company website.
To ensure you can make an informed decision about your interest in the role – in the heat of the moment when you are focussing on trying to impress the interviewer, you may forget that this is an information-gathering process for you too. Make sure that the things that are most important to you have been addressed.
after your interview.
You’ve done it, it’s finally over. Surreptitiously wiping a sweaty hand, you prepare for your exiting handshake. Now what?
thank the interviewer/s for their time.
Hopefully, you finish your interview feeling positive about the experience and your prospects for securing the role. But regardless of the outcome, it’s important that you take the time to thank your interviewer for setting aside the time and giving you the opportunity to meet with them.
Demonstrating good manners, gratitude, and respect will leave a good impression that is going to reap rewards whether or not you land the job. Creating positive connections in the industry will always pay off in your career.
debrief with your recruiter.
Find the time as soon as you can post-interview to give your recruiter a call and debrief on the experience.
We don’t just ask for this feedback to tick a box, it forms a crucial part of our recruitment process that may well influence whether you get the job:
It further demonstrates your engagement with the role, which we can pass on to the employer.
It allows us to address any questions or concerns the employer might have about your experience, character, or expectations.
It gives you the opportunity to talk through any questions or concerns on your end, and to seek clarification on any points you may have missed during the interview.
If you follow these steps, you can be confident that, no matter what your interviewer throws at you, you have done everything you can to prepare and perform at your best.
Interested in more tips on how to get the most out of your job search? Check out our guide to getting scouted.