Interview Preparation is so crucial

Preparing for Interviews: What Are Interviewers looking for?

In today’s competitive and tough job market, candidates often hear the same advice about interview preparation: practice your STAR method, have backup examples ready, research the company, maintain positivity, and display professionalism.

While these points are certainly important, they don’t encompass the full scope of what interviewers are truly looking for during the hiring process.

As you may have already realised, all interviews and interviewers are different. They will all take a different path when it comes to their interviews and interview styles. So how can I definitively say what an interviewer is looking for?

I can't cover everything in one post, but what I can say is that that there are three key attributes that can set you apart and help you make a lasting impression.

1. Cultural Fit and Adaptability

One of the most significant factors interviewers consider is whether a candidate will fit into the company's culture. This goes beyond simply having the right skills; it's about aligning with the company's values, mission and work environment.

Interviewers are keen to see how you might contribute to their team dynamics and company culture.

How to Prepare:

• Reflect on your own values and work style. Be ready to articulate how these align with the organisation’s culture.
• Prepare to discuss past experiences where you adapted to a new environment or embraced change within a team.

2. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

In a fast-paced business landscape, the ability to think critically and solve problems is invaluable. Interviewers want to assess how you approach challenges, make decisions, and strategize solutions. Your thought process matters just as much as your answers.

How to Prepare:

• Review common industry challenges and think about how you would tackle them.
• Consider sharing your thought process during the interview—explain how you analyze situations, weigh options, and come to conclusions.

3. Passion and Motivation for the Role

Employers are not just looking for qualifications; they want candidates who are genuinely excited about the role and the impact they can make. Passion can often differentiate a good candidate from a great one. An enthusiastic approach can suggest that you’re likely to be more engaged, motivated, and committed.

How to Prepare:

• Think about what specifically excites you about the position and the company.
• Be prepared to share what drives your career aspirations and how this role aligns with your goals.

Closing with Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, asking thoughtful questions can showcase your skills and genuine interest in the role.

Here’s an example of a question that highlights your critical thinking abilities:

"Can you share an example of a recent challenge the team faced and how they approached solving it? I’m interested in understanding the decision-making processes here."

This question not only demonstrates your interest in the team’s dynamics and problem-solving approach but also opens the door for a deeper conversation about how you might contribute to overcoming similar challenges in the future.

TIP: Using the STAR Method for Critical Thinking

When discussing critical thinking, you can frame your response using the STAR method:

• Situation: Describe a situation where you faced a complex problem.
• Task: Explain your responsibility in addressing that problem.
• Action: Detail the steps you took to analyse the situation and develop a solution.
• Result: Share the outcome of your actions and what you learned.

Example (please create your own):

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, our team was behind schedule on a key deliverable due to unforeseen technical issues.

Task: I needed to quickly assess the situation and find a way to get us back on track without sacrificing quality.

Action: I organised a team meeting to identify the root cause of the delays and facilitated a brainstorming session where everyone contributed potential solutions. We decided to allocate resources differently and prioritise critical tasks, allowing us to focus on what was essential.

Result: We successfully met the project deadline, and our final deliverable exceeded client expectations, which led to a follow-up project.

Conclusion

While traditional interview preparation methods have their place, focusing on these three attributes—cultural fit, critical thinking, and passion—can give candidates a significant edge in interviews.

Take the time to reflect on these aspects and prepare to showcase them in your discussions. By doing so, you not only demonstrate your qualifications but also your potential to thrive within the organisation.

Happy interviewing!

If you need any help with your interview preparation, interview style and technique, please message me via LinkedIn or contact me.

Hazel Theocharous, Empowering Your Career