You’ve put in the hard work while applying for a job and have made it to the interview part of the process. It can be exciting and intimidating at the same time. After all, your career rests on the impression you make at the interview. Ensuring you stand out from the crowd of other candidates is actually easier than it sounds – provided you put in a little bit of prep beforehand. Read on for our top interview tips to help you ace that interview.
1. Little things matter
Whether your interview is an online one or in person – first impressions matter. Pick out an outfit that makes you look professional and feel good. For an online interview, choose a spot in your home that looks tidy and well-lit on camera and check your electronics including your computer, camera, microphone, and speaker. Getting all the little stuff out of the way can clear your mind for the more important prep.
2. Research
Chances are you’ve already looked up the company while applying for the job. Now is the time to really go in depth. Make notes of what you like about the company and its culture and how its values align with yours. Research what products and services they offer along with any major achievements. Knowing what the company is all about shows interviewers you’ve put time and effort into your job application instead of sending out your resume in bulk. Is there a position you can see yourself moving to in the future? Make a note of that too. It can show interviewers you envision a future with the company.
3. Study interview questions
Google can be your best friend here. Read up about different interview techniques (behavioural and competency-based interviews are becoming increasingly popular) and the common questions asked in these. Prepare your answers based on your strengths and past experiences. Common interview questions can include:
- Why do you want to work at this company?
- What are your biggest weaknesses?
- Describe a time when you had to adhere to a tight deadline
- How would you deal with a difficult customer?
4. Use the STAR answer technique
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. This technique is a great way to structure your answers. First give the interviewers a brief background (Situation), next explain what you were required to do (Task), then describe what you did (Action) and finally tell them about the outcome (Result).
5. Use facts and figures wherever possible
Giving interviewers hard fact and figures can help them assess how good a candidate you really are. Make a note of your achievements at a previous job with tangible results. For example, instead of saying, “I introduced a new filing system in the office”, try saying “The new filing system I introduced in the office saved workers 15 minutes of time whenever they needed to locate information”.
6. Prepare questions for your interviewers
The interview is a good time to get to know your interviewers better and assess whether the job at hand is the right fit for you too. Prepare a list of questions you can ask at the end of the interview. This shows interviewers that you are serious about the job role and can picture yourself working there. A great way to end the interview is to thank the interviewers for their time and asking them what the next steps in the process are.
Don’t forget to send a thank you email within 24 hours of the interview.
These six simple interview tips can help you impress your potential employers. As one of Canada’s leading recruitment agencies, Best Personnel can help you find your dream career. Get started on your job search by checking out our open jobs today or get in touch with our staff if you are looking for something specific.