How to Prepare for an Interview

As a follow up to my last article on tips for successful job applications (check out that masterpiece if you missed it), I thought the logical next topic should focus on practical tips for interviewing. If, like me, you appreciate an easy to follow list then let’s give this a try with just five simple steps:

1 - Conduct a deeper dive on the company and its people - In my previous post I talked about researching the company and culture through LinkedIn posts, Glassdoor and career pages so you can be confident the company is right for you. Research for the interview stage will be a chance for you to refresh your memory again using the same media and a chance to dive deeper into the people you are meeting and their teams. A great way of doing this would be LinkedIn and a simple search of the person's name and company name through Google. This should uncover any articles they may have written, events they have spoken at, etc. As LinkedIn is a so-called “business networking site” most interviewers will have links on their profiles.

All this info will give you insight into the person they present themselves to be - it will be your job to see if they match this in the interview.

2 - Think about how you will present your answers: However, I would say the most important part of the interview are your answers to the questions, and it’s why it is so important to practise a method of answering questions such as STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or SCORE (Situation, Complication, Outcome Expectation, Remedial Action, End Result) and there are a few others.?

My advice is to practise this approach by preparing answers for your “biggest challenges” or “successes”. Try to be concise by giving enough information and specifics without deep-diving into the detail. Now, a good interviewer will ask more questions to get into the specifics of your answer, but if they don’t then my top tip is to ask if they would like to know any more specifics about your experience.

3 - It sounds obvious, but don’t forget the basics:?

• Show up on time - This should be easier now that a lot of interviews are over video calls. But it still, for obvious reasons, makes a bad impression if you are late (same goes for the interviewers too). My top tip is to leave plenty of time for travel or a good 10-15 minute gap from your previous meeting to allow you to get into an interview state of mind and if you’re like me, not get flustered. Whilst we’re talking about being flustered if it's a video interview….?
• Check your tech - Recently I was speaking with a supplier and had to share my screen over a platform I haven’t used often. It all looked simple, a BIG “Share your screen” button, I clicked it and had a choice of screens to share. Two looked the same, but one apparently shared the presentation notes… which one do you think I pressed? So my advice, log on to the platform before the event, make sure the link works and if you have to make a presentation, share a screen or do some whiteboard work make sure you understand how it works. Please heed my advice… I learnt the hard way.
• Look into the camera - Whilst you’re speaking (into the microphone) please look directly into the webcam, this will help make a direct connection with the interviewer. Don’t be too creepy though.
• Turn off distracting or noisy background apps - If the computer that you’re using for the interview is your personal or work one, make sure that any applications that might make alert noises are switched off.

4 - Be honest and be yourself - Interviews are all about people trying to impress each other - whether that’s you putting the best version of yourself forward or the interviewers representing the company and themselves in the best way. This is all expected, but BE HONEST, don’t pretend to be something you aren’t. I’m not saying don’t be aspirational, just be clear on what you know and for those things you don’t, share how you are willing to learn or give examples of how you have picked up new knowledge quickly. If you’re not honest you’ll be caught out by good interviewers when they delve deeper into the specifics.?

5 - Prepare questions that are important to you - Whether you’re interested in company culture, DE&I, working hours, benefits, technology, growth, bring your pet to work policy, kitchen snacks, table tennis, quality of the toilet roll it doesn’t matter. Don’t waste time asking standard questions pulled off the internet. Think about what is really important to you about your next career move and ask about it.?

I hope these 5 simple steps set you up for success, a little prep goes a long way. Finally, in my opinion, the interview process is as much about the company getting to know you as it is about you getting to know the company and if the role is a good fit for you.?

Happy job hunting!