How to TRIUMPH Your Interviews the PX Way

Navigating through the interview process can be a daunting task, but fear not!

?At Peopleconnexion, we've crafted a comprehensive method called TRIUMPH, to guide candidates through some of the key steps in the interview process and if done right, can enhance your interview experience and chances of impressing!

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1.????? Timing:

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The old adage "time is of the essence" couldn't be truer when it comes to interviews, and this needs to trump the ‘island time’ adage. Whether it's an in-person or virtual interview, punctuality is paramount. If you turn up late, it will instantly indicate to your hiring manager that you can’t manage time properly, or you don’t care. It is absolutely expected to be on time, if not 10-15 minutes early. Prior to your interview, you should look up where the office/place is located and plan your journey so you know exactly how to get there and how long it will take. If you don’t do this and underestimate timing, or even run into a traffic jam or road block, it will show that you didn’t adequately prepare.

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We always advise our candidates to meticulously plan their journey, and account for any unforeseen delays. For virtual interviews, conducting a pre-check on equipment and connectivity ensures a smooth start.

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2.????? Research:

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Knowledge is power, especially for interviews. Before stepping into the interview room, candidates should have a good understanding of:

-????????? The company, the industry it operates in and the services it offers

-????????? The values and vision of the company

-????????? Any up-to-date projects or initiatives

-????????? Their social media activity – what they talk about, celebrate or update on LinkedIn, Facebook or otherwise.

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In our experience, the candidates who make the best impression are those that can talk about the company before we have the chance to tell them details. A common interview question you should be prepared to answer is ‘What do you know about the company?’.

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Not only this, but your answers should be tailored to the company. When preparing your answers and how you will talk about your experience and skills, you should be preparing in a way which relates back to the company, their unique services, industry and their culture and values.

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3.????? Impressions Count:

First impressions are lasting impressions. Besides showing up on time (or early), your next impression will be on your dress/presentation. No matter the role, even if not a white-collar/professional services role, you should always dress professionally and smart. Additionally, come prepared with your materials. Always come with a copy of your CV, portfolio and cover letter. Carrying a notebook will also mark your preparedness, enable you to write down anything important, or even refer to notes or questions you took prior to the interview.

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4.????? Understand the Role:

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A thorough understanding of the role is essential for success. Similar to the research you do for the organisation, you should thoroughly research the role. We recommend candidates study the specifics of the position, understanding its responsibilities, team dynamics, and required skill set. This important to draw parallels between experience and the role's requirements. It will help not just the candidate, but the hiring manager envision you in the role, as a valuable asset to the organisation.

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5.????? Master Your Interview with STAR:

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Crafting impactful responses is an art, and the STAR method is the perfect tool. By structuring responses around Situation, Task, Action, and Result, candidates can effectively communicate their achievements and problem-solving prowess. This structured approach provides clarity to interviewers and shows a candidate's ability to deliver results.

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For more information on STAR, watch our YouTube video ‘Creating a clear and confident Elevator Pitch’ which includes this method. Elevator Pitch’s are another tool which candidates should master as they are a short pitch which sums you up as a professional candidate and can be used to introduce yourself. You can also watch another of our videos ‘How to answer the question ‘Tell us a bit about yourself’ for more specifics on answering this question.

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6.????? Prepare for Questions:

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Anticipating and preparing for interview questions is crucial. Candidates should be ready to field questions about their background, motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and potential contributions. At Peopleconnexion, we equip candidates with the tools and insights needed to tackle even the most challenging inquiries with confidence.

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In addition to our above videos, we have a number of video resources to help candidates with common interview questions which you can watch from our YouTube playlist!

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7.????? Have Confidence:

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Last but certainly not least, confidence is fundamental to interview success. I know, many of us think ‘how can I be confident in such a stressful situation?’. Let’s not mistake confidence for nervousness. Feeling nervous is natural and sometimes we even recommend candidates be honest and transparent in expressing that they are feeling nervous but also very excited to be there. Remember, nervousness is a feeling. Confidence is a strength – which we all have. This is why it’s important to carry confidence WITH your nervousness.

Your confidence will come with preparation. If you have followed the above steps, adequately prepared to answer some of the common interview questions and have practiced how to showcase your experience through the STAR method, you will arm yourself with a level of confidence and ability which will outshine any presence of nerves. Understand your capabilities, know what you do well, be confident with what you bring to a team, and you will build trust among those you are presenting to.

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At Peopleconnexion, we go beyond mere guidance; what is important to us is empowering candidates to excel in their interviews. We know that a new career or job brings stress, and we know that interviews can be the heighted event of stress! Our approach is to give you the tools to empower your confidence.

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So, as you prepare for your interview journey, remember to embrace the TRIUMPH method and seize the opportunity to reveal your full potential. Your success story awaits!