How To Ace a Job Interview at DCMN (And Everywhere)

Job interviews have gone through a makeover in the last few years. The key change that you might’ve noticed as a job seeker is that the interview process is a leaner, quicker and wide-reaching one these days. A typical hiring round now involves talking to the hiring manager, working on a case study and being interviewed by a member of your team (and maybe a C-Level too, depending on seniority of the role). This not only helps for the company to get to know the candidate better, but also helps a candidate better understand the company. Interviews these days are a two way street, where it’s not just about the value an employee brings to the company, but also about how an employer can enrich the candidate’s work life.

With over 40 open roles at DCMN, we wanted to reach out to the experts: our Talent Force team, who handle all recruiting at DCMN. In this article, they reveal what makes a potential candidate ‘click’ and tips to nail your next job interview.?

Most interviews begin with? a quick introduction between the interviewer and the candidate. What are some key points to include when introducing yourself?

Firstly, start off by writing down a short pitch about yourself. Keep it short! Three minutes is the ideal length. Get started by describing your professional experience, technical skills and interpersonal strengths that give recruiters an overview of your professional history and personality. However, this introduction doesn’t have to be super formal or rehearsed. Keep it conversational, jot down some bullet points and add your personality to it.?

While formulating your pitch, it’s important to align your qualities and expectations with the job you’re applying for. Highlight any qualifications that are relevant to the job description and mention how you can add value, and how the role can help your career progression. And naturally, if there’s something that makes you stand out — always wrap up the introduction with your USP and your core motivation for applying for the role.?

Could you share some tips on how to apply and prepare for an interview with DCMN??

We have compiled a to-do list for candidates applying and interviewing with DCMN. One of our core values is ‘we care for each other’ — so whether you’re at DCMN already or will be joining us in the future, we’d like to share everything that can help you out along the way.?

• Update your CV with your current experience and transferable skills. In addition, always make sure someone proofreads your application to weed out any errors you might have missed.?
• Start by asking yourself three key questions. What skills do I already have? What do I want to do and learn in the future? And how can this job help me get there?
• Next up, it’s time to update your LinkedIn profile. Make sure your profile is updated to complement your CV as recruiters will often check your LinkedIn while reviewing your application.?
• Research the company you’re applying to, from their core business to the size of the organisation. Knowing about your potential future employer will help you to frame good questions — as well as give you an edge over others.?
• Once you’ve been put forward for an interview, it’s time for interview prep! Like we mentioned earlier, start with your introduction and make sure your motivations are made clear during the interview.?
• Questions are always a good idea. Learning more about your role, the company and the work culture is key to knowing if the role is right for you, so ask away!?
• Another tip: think about what you want to learn and which skills you would like to develop in the role specifically.??
• Don’t be late! If it’s a virtual interview, make sure your technical setup is running smoothly beforehand to avoid any mishaps.?
• Even if it's a stressful situation, try to stay calm and be yourself. If you don’t know the answer to a question, be honest about it.?
• Lastly, remember that recruiters talk to a lot of candidates daily, so give them something to remember. While it’s important to be professional, remember to bring your personality to the interview — whether it’s a funny story or a fun hobby, make sure you mention it!

These days job interviews are a two way street, could you elaborate a bit further on this?

We couldn’t agree more! While an interview is a great opportunity to share your experience and impress your future employer, it works both ways. While convincing your interviewer that you’re the right person for the job is a good start, we advise not focusing solely on this. It is also important to know if the opportunity and the company are right for you.?

Before an interview, think about two things: what are your expectations from the job and does the company’s working culture aligns with your personality? For instance, if parental benefits or mental health support are big factors for you, ask in your interview what the company’s current stance is on these topics.?

Here are some questions, to get the ball rolling:?

About the role?

• Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role?
• What does the onboarding plan look like for this role?
• What are the opportunities to grow and develop within the role or company?
• What are some of the challenges you would face in this position?

About the team?

• Can you tell me more about the team structure?
• How is feedback handled within the team or company?

About the company?

• Can you describe the working culture at your company?
• How does the company promote work-life balance?
• Can you tell me about the current working policy and changes you implemented related to the pandemic?

About the process

• What are the next steps in the job process and what is the timeline?

What’s the most memorable question you’ve been asked during an interview??

We get this one often, but it still remains our favourite: “What do you like the most and least about your role at DCMN?”?

We love when candidates don't only see us as the interviewer but instead as potential future colleagues, asking us about our first-hand experiences.?

We sincerely hope that these tips will make your job search a bit easier and if you’ve enjoyed this piece, let’s have a chat! Find out more about our open positions here: https://careers.dcmn.com/?