How to smash your interview

Maybe you need someone to take a chance on you and give you your first role. Or maybe you know you could do the job, but haven’t done this role before. Or maybe you simply struggle with interview anxiety and want to find a way to put your best foot forward.

Below are a few tips to help you walk into your interview with confidence and let your skills and passion shine.

Nail your first impression.

First impressions are important. It may sound simple, but get there on time. I’d even say get there with plenty of time to spare! You never know what is going to happen. If it’s online, test your equipment beforehand to make sure it won’t do an update just as you’re joining the interview. Also, remember to dress smartly. Even if you’re online, no one wants to see your pjs.

Know your audience.

Find out about the company you’re applying for and if possible, the people who are interviewing you. It will show that you care and are interested in details. Knowing the people in the room may help you connect and have a more personal conversation.

Be a STAR.

Someone once told me when answering questions, think about STAR. Situation- what was the situation or context (i.e. we had recently had an inspection which was graded requires improvement). Task- what was your specific task or responsibility (and I was asked to lead the improvement plan in respect of our court work). Action- what actions did you take (This should be the bulk of your response as it should cover what you did specifically and help the interviewers understand how you think, prioritise, make decisions and ultimately get things done). Result- what was the outcome (as a result, 6 months later when we had a further independent review of our court work, 75% of the cases were rated Good).

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

During the interview, if you don’t understand a question or you have a question for them, pipe up! It helps to go into an interview with some questions written down that you’ve considered whilst reviewing the role and company. Remember, you’re interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. We spend a great deal of our time at work, so it’s important that there’s a fit.

If you need adjustments to be your best, don’t be afraid to ask.

Interviewers should be considering how to make their interview as inclusive as possible for everyone, however, if you need something to perform your best then ask for it. For example, if you are able to process information better if you can see it written in front of you, ask the interviewer to see the question, or if you’re online, ask them to type it into the chat bar. If you know what you need, send the interview panel or HR your needs ahead of time.

If nerves get the best of you or you lose your train of thought, it’s ok to say it.

We’re all human and it’s ok to show that human side of yourself.

Let your passion and enthusiasm for the role be seen.

Try to view the interview as a conversation where you get the opportunity to talk about what you feel most passionate about and what you can bring to that role. A simple shift in perspective may help you feel less anxious in the moment.

If you don’t get the job, that’s ok, but ask for feedback.

We won’t always get the job we go for, but use it as a learning opportunity. Ask for feedback and if it is just general feedback like ‘someone was more qualified’ then ask if you could have more detailed feedback about how specifically you could have improved responses to the questions.

Interviews can be nerve wracking, but speaking as someone who has interviewed hundreds of individuals, interviewers truly do want the best from people. The interviewer is looking for the right fit just as much as you are. So, if there’s an opportunity to have a chat with the recruiting manager prior to applying, then take it. You may decide after that conversation that the role isn’t for you and you’ll save yourself the wasted time of filling in the application. Or, you may hit it off and go into the interview with a bit more confidence.

If you’re interested in support on your improvement journey,
book a free consultation here.