So, you’ve gained the interview. Congratulations! You’re over a hard part. No one is about to disagree that the interview is a hard part, but, like the CV, if you go in prepared, you’ll nail it. Take a look at our guide to help you out and you will nail that interview.
Research the company and role
Even if you think you know all there is to know about the role, look up the company anyway. It’s important to your application and your interview that you know what your potential employer is looking for.
You can then answer the question of “What do you know about us?” with more than a recital of their About Us page. You should know the basics of the industry they’re in, the goals of the company, the key challenges, any major competitors, and the culture of the company. You can type their company name or industry market into Google and click the news tab to get some relevant information. Don’t bring up any negative press against the company itself, but if you were interviewing for a position with a, for example, bread maker, you could mention there are challenges with getting wheat out of Ukraine right now. A digital marketing firm would appreciate that you know Covid changed a lot of users’ attitudes to social media marketing. It will make you sound like you keep your finger on the pulse.
Have your answers ready
This research will also mean that you can answer all the other questions with confidence. How you would handle certain situations, what challenges you expect to face, why you want to work for the company, etc.
So, you’ve done all your research, now it’s time to answer some of those questions. There are plenty of sites breaking down what each question actually means, such as “What can you bring to the role?” The employer wants a selling point that makes you stand out from the crowd. Find one of these sites and go through them all with a prepared answer. Employers are going to try and throw you a curveball, but if you are prepared for the majority of the questions, you’ll have enough material to scramble an answer together.
Up the confidence
Before you walk into the interview, curb any anxieties on the way there. A great tip is to crank the tunes on the way to the interview. Force yourself to sing in the car, so that you get the vocal cords going and your entire body loosens up a little.
When you arrive, preferably 10-15 minutes early, take a deep breath in the car. Or take it a step further and play a meditation app. You can get apps that tailor your meditation for what you’re trying to do in the moment, like relax for sleep, curb food cravings, or even gain confidence.
You don’t have to stay stationary, however. Do whatever you need to do to up your confidence. A good way is with exercise, which will release endorphins and make you feel physically stronger. Whatever tricks your brain into thinking “I’m simply the best”.
Dress to impress
You know that you need to dress well to ace the interview, we don’t need to tell you that, but we have a few tips that might surprise you.
Business professional vs. business formal is a matter of judgement. Get an idea of the company culture from looking at its social media and job description. If its branding features a lot of content around the team members, it shows they’re quite personable and would be open to a business professional or even business casual as an option, but others might expect business formal.
You don’t want to be too casual or too flashy. When in doubt go for neutral tones and simple prints. Get an idea of what the company culture is like by looking at their marketing social media. This isn’t going to work for everyone, but if the company has a brand social media account, you’ve got an opportunity to snoop in on what everyone is wearing.
That being said, there is a difference between going into an interview and getting the job. Even if the team are wearing jeans and hoodies, that doesn’t mean you won’t be judged for wearing the same. Opt for business casual in that case and downgrade to hoodies once you’ve got your desk.
If your shoes hurt, toss them. The pain will show on your face and be misconstrued for pain for the situation. However, sneakers, flip flops, wedge sandals and open toes are outlawed. And take it easy on the fragrance because the nose is more sensitive than the eyes, and less forgiving.
Get excited
Your body language is very important. It’s probably more important than most things, because employers will be looking for a “vibe” and getting an “idea” of whether you will fit in. They want to feel comfortable around you, and that comes with the body language. You can’t convince them of that with words.
Make sure to speak with enthusiasm. Speak clearly and loudly and know that it is fine to crack a joke once in a while, if the opportunity arises. Be careful with that idea, since your idea of humor might be very different from theirs, so poking fun at yourself for something inconsequential is your best option.
Make good eye contact, keep that handshake firm, and your back while you’re at it. You don’t want to appear so casual that you seem aloof, so keep your posture firm.
Have a question ready
Leaving the interview is just as important as entering it. A last impression is solidified in whatever question you might have for the employer when they ask, “Do you have any questions for us?”
What they’re looking for here is some initiative on top of an opportunity to find out more about the company. Keep your question open-ended and not about money. You don’t want to appear as though that’s all that drives you. Ask instead about the culture of the company, the team you’d join, any challenges they expect, etc.