7 Interview Tips & Tricks

Let’s face it…interviews can be nerve-racking no matter what stage you’re at in your career. Interviewers also get nervous when they conduct interviews too!

As someone who has been on both sides of the fence (as an interviewee and a hiring manager), I’ve pulled this article together to offer some tips.

Without further ado, let’s get stuck in!

Tip #1: Prepare and be punctual

Your interview will serve as a first impression, and first impressions count!

• Make sure you’re on time for your interview
• If your interview is virtual, try and find a quiet environment with decent lighting (if possible). And make sure you test that your IT equipment is functioning correctly beforehand - tech fails us at the best of times, so it’s always good to be prepared
• I know it's hard, but try to calm yourself as much as possible before the interview – perhaps think of a happy memory, distract yourself, try mindfulness or even breathing techniques, whatever works for you! But also embrace the nerves – it’s completely normal to feel nervous (I've even admitted to interviewers that I am slightly nervous, but this is a personal choice)
• Dress professionally. As much as I personally believe that the way someone dresses isn’t massively important, appearances do count in today's society. I’m not saying you need to turn up in a full 3-piece suit, but at least aim to scrub up and dress smartly to present yourself in the best possible light

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Tip #2: Research the company

You will likely be expected to show that you are genuinely interested in the company you’re applying for. Research the organisation beforehand (via their website/social media etc.) and arm yourself with a couple of facts: e.g., what sectors do they operate in? What are their company values? Any recent wins/big pieces of work to note?

Also have a think about why you would want to join this company specifically – what attracts you to the firm and the role? This is a common interview question.

Image Credit: AB Boyd | Cartoonist

Tip #3: Come armed with examples

Prior to the interview, have a think about some examples you can use to demonstrate key skills. Note that these examples don’t necessarily need to all be related to previous jobs – you can use examples from your personal/home life, as well as from volunteering experience.

E.g., think of examples where...

• you have adapted your communication so that somebody fully understood something
• you have come across a problem, and explain how you went about solving it
• you have been under pressure or criticised, and describe how you managed this
• you have come up with an innovative solution to an issue, or tabled a new idea/approach
• you have effectively worked both independently and as part of a team

You want to avoid giving the same example in response to multiple interview questions, so come armed with a few different ones to choose from.

Give a decent level of detail in your examples, seeking to tie it back to the original question - one or two worded answers don't give your interviewer much to work with! On the flip side, also be mindful that you don't talk too much. The aim is to provide relevant details and avoid rambling – remember that you are telling the interviewer what they need/want to know. One way to avoid rambling is to prepare a couple of answers in advance, and also be conscious of when you might be over-explaining something.

Tip #4: Be aware of your non-verbal communication

When we communicate, we don’t just communicate using our voices. Whether your interview is in-person or virtual, non-verbal communication (such as your body language) is incredibly important too.

Are you looking around or looking at your feet, instead of looking towards your interviewer in-person or on screen? Are you slouched back in your chair? If so, you could appear distracted or disinterested.

Try to appear open and positive. Show you’re listening and genuinely interested by nodding, maintaining some level of eye contact, smiling, uncrossing your arms, etc.

When it comes to your voice, remain positive, polite and make sure you use appropriate language.

Tip #5 – Ask questions

Remember that you are interviewing the organisation as much as they’re interviewing you! It’s your chance to ensure that this role and company are a good fit for you.

Prior to the interview, have a think about some questions you could ask (usually towards the end of the interview). Asking questions not only demonstrates your interest in the role, it also allows you to show what's important to you.

Example questions:

• “Could you tell me what a day in the life of this role looks like?”
• “Can you describe the company culture?”
• “Are there opportunities for training and development?”
• “What does progression look like? Are there opportunities to progress within the team/company?”
• “What are your favourite parts of your role/what do you enjoy the most about the work you do?”

Tip #6 – Be honest and authentic

At one point or another, most of us will find ourselves in a position where we don’t know the answer to a question or have not yet developed a specific skill. Don’t panic! If an interviewer asks you if you have knowledge of a particular technology or skill and you don’t…yet…then just be honest!

You could say...

“In the spirit of honesty, I haven’t yet had the opportunity to be hands on with this technology/service/skill, but it is something I want to learn, and I am someone that is committed to personal & professional development. Outside of this skill, I also have developed skills/interest in x, y and z”

Make sure you know your own weaknesses as well as your strengths and be prepared to discuss both. Remember that the interviewer is not only trying to learn about what role-specific skills you have, they are also interested in learning about you as an individual (often to see how well you’d fit in with the team or the company culture), so give them a flavour of who you are both inside and outside of work!

Tip #7: Think about what makes you stand out

Usually interviewers are interviewing multiple people for a role…so have a think about what makes you stand out. What do you bring to the table?

• Do you have strengths or skills in a particular technology/skill? Or do you have a broad understanding of many areas?
• Do you have other experience or passions that you can bring to the table?
• What personality traits make you unique?
• Do you have particularly strong communication skills?
• Are you driven, passionate, flexible, or highly-organised?
• Are you skilled in collaboration, or can you work both independently and as part of a team?