How to ace your next job interview: tips from noon's Talent Acquisition team

One of noon’s founding goals is to invest in local talent. Our educational program, noon NEXT, was designed to foster the development of young talent in the region through workshops, mentorship, and hands-on experience.?

noon’s Talent Acquisition team consists of approximately 40 people who support all of noon’s functions and markets. The noon TA team hosts regular live sessions under the noon NEXT umbrella, sharing their expertise with students, fresh graduates, and anyone who may need extra support. The most recent session focused on the dos & don’ts of interview techniques details exactly how to ace your next job interview.?

Tara Hewitt-Murphy and Ghada Koleilat , Talent Acquisition, noon, hosted our latest live noon NEXT session, giving the audience top tips, insights, and advice.?

Here’s a recap of what was covered…

Landing the job you want may be difficult. However, preparing for the interview by following our top interview dos and don'ts will help you stand out as a top candidate!

Pre-interview

• Check out both the company’s and your interviewer’s LinkedIn profiles. This shows that you are interested in both the company and the position that you are applying for. It also gives you an advantage because the detailed questions you will ask based on your market observations will make you feel more in control, confident, and calm.

"The best way to research a company is to check their website, news, media, and any articles happening about the company," says Tara Hewitt-Murphy , noon.

“Knowing the company culture will help you answer one of the most important interview questions, "why do you want to join our company?" Furthermore, knowing your CV inside and out is critical so that you can highlight your strengths, career goals, and success stories and relate them to the role description for which you are applying.”

• It is critical to make a good first impression, which you can do whether your interview is face-to-face or via video.

First impressions are formed by every small detail you do; thus, you should keep in mind arriving earlier for your interview and dressing in a way that suits the company’s culture. Finally, if anything conflicts with your interview timing, such as an emergency, make sure to notify the recruiter or hiring manager.??

During the interview?

• Answer the right questions!

One of the most important tips that many candidates overlook is answering the right questions. According to Tara , many candidates answer the wrong questions during an interview. As a result, taking the time to understand the question and structuring your answers will allow you to respond directly to the question.?

Also, projecting positive body language and a very positive attitude, such as maintaining your eye contact with the interviewer, smiling, and engaging gives the impression that you are interested in their company.

?Post-interview

• ?End the interview in the right way

Start by thanking the hiring manager for their time and reassuring them of your interest in the role. Next, ask about the turnaround time and ask the interviewer a few open-ended questions. For example, inquire about the challenges you are likely to face, the leadership management, and so on.

• ??Send the interviewer a thank you message or feedback

Connect with them on LinkedIn, and write down the questions that the interviewer asked, as well as where you believe you might have answered poorly and how you can improve next time. Always remember that the process takes time, so be patient.

What to avoid during an interview

Always avoid talking poorly about your current or your former employers, be truthful when answering questions about yourself, and finally, view each new interview as a fresh and exciting opportunity while learning from the previous ones.

Are you interested in joining our growing teams in Saudi Arabia, Egypt or the UAE? Check out all live noon job postings here .