The power of effective interview preparation

Wondering how to smash your next Interview? – Let me help with some of my best tips 

Preparing for your next job interview and wondering how to make it a resounding success? In today’s ever-evolving job market, the importance of thorough preparation cannot be emphasised enough. As I’ve witnessed countless talented individuals navigate the challenging waters of job transitions and interviews, I felt compelled to share some of my most valuable insights on how to conquer the interview process and secure your dream job.

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH:

DO YOUR RESEARCH: Go beyond just skimming the company’s website. Dive into recent news articles, press releases, and social media to understand the company’s values, recent achievements, and challenges. Knowing their culture and mission will help you align your responses with their expectations. Site like Glassdoor even have review sections for interview so you can plan ahead.

THE STAR METHOD:

 Situation, Task, Action, Result. When answering behavioural questions, describe a specific Situation, your Task, the Action you took, and the positive Result you achieved. This format helps you tell compelling stories that highlight your skills. Have a few examples in your mind that could be used for multiple competency based questions

DRESS TO IMPRESS:

The UK loves its smart casual attire, but always aim for the smarter side during interviews. Whether it’s a full suit or tie or an open collar, make sure you feel comfortable and confident in your chosen outfit and that it aligns with the company. It demonstrates your understanding of the professional standards and the importance of the occasion.

PRACTICE YOUR PITCH :

Now I’m not saying you have to stand in the mirror every morning talking to yourself but its important to have a picture in your head about “who you are” as first impressions count. Your pitch should be concise and engaging, Share your name, background, and a brief summary of your career goals and key achievements. It’s your chance to make a memorable first impression.

ASK QUESTIONS :

Prepare thoughtful questions about the company, the role, and the team. It shows your genuine interest and helps you evaluate if the company is the right fit for you. I say this time and time again on my interview preps, you are allowed to write down questions so you don’t forget to ask them. Especially if those questions are important to your decision making. Also ask questions where the interviewer starts picturing you in the role “What does success look like?” etc.

MOCK INTERVIEWS :

This is something I would say is important if you struggle with confidence in interviews.  Run through common interview questions with a friend or a recruiter, you can find common competency questions online. I’ve had some candidates even video record answers and watch themselves back. (something I could never do myself). But Mock interviews help you refine your responses and boost your confidence. If you’ve not had to interview for a number of years it’ll get you back into that frame of mind

KEEPING CALM & CARRYING ON:

Nervousness is normal, but staying calm is crucial. Before the interview, I personally like to practice relaxation techniques like controlled breathing but find something that helps you stop the clutter in your mind and refocus’ you.  In the interview, take your time to think before answering (I sometimes take a sip of water after hearing a question to allow me some thinking time or simply repeat the question back for clarification).

FOLLOW UP

This is something I do not see enough after interviews and makes a genuine difference, send a polite thank-you email. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and reaffirm your interest in the role. It’s a courteous gesture that leaves a lasting impression I’ve seen candidates hired just because the only way the company could separate the two was because one seemed more interested than the other.

BE HONEST

In the end, the most important thing to remember is that the interview process is not just about a company evaluating you; it’s also about you assessing if this is the right place for your career. As I say to all my candidates who interview @global4 It’s as much for you to get to know us as it is for us to get to know you. So my stay true to yourself and let your unique brilliance shine through during the interview. There’s no point pretending to be something you’re not simply to land a job you will be unhappy with.

Hopefully This post will help you properly prepare and smash you next interview, If anyone wants to reach out about any of the above or wants advice from someone whose worked in recruitment for over 10 years I’d be more than happy to chat 😊 Best of luck on your next interview!

Ellis Rouch – Recruiter