Moneybox - behind the scenes
Top interview tips part 2: During the interview
Following our previous post on interview preparation, Nefeli is back to share her top tips on how to perform at your best during the interview itself. Keep an eye out for some final pointers on post-interview etiquette and what to do when you’ve received an offer - coming soon!
No matter how long or short an interview is, this is your chance to demonstrate your skills and find out more about the company and role. Interviews are also a great opportunity to gain an insight into how well you’d work with the team, so it’s important to allow your personality to shine through while remaining professional.
Here are a few interview tips to maximise your chances of securing that role:
- Regardless of whether the interview is face-to-face or virtual, be sure to watch your posture and sit up straight (don’t slouch!). Non-verbal communication can sometimes tell us more than words, so think about what you’re saying with your posture.
- It’s ok to take some time to consider your answers. You shouldn’t feel pressured to answer too quickly, which could lead you to respond with something which isn’t thought through.
- When you do speak, try to speak with confidence and conviction. If you don’t sound like you’re sure about what you’re saying, consider how this could come across to the interviewer.
- Make eye contact. A good amount of eye contact shows you are focused and engaged in the conversation. However, don’t overdo it to the point where you make the interviewer uncomfortable. If it’s a virtual interview, make sure you’re looking into the camera.
- Always use professional language. No matter how comfortable you feel with the interviewers or how relaxed the company culture is, this is still a formal meeting and should be treated as such (swearing is a no-no).
- Avoid speaking ill of former coworkers or employers. While things may have been less than ideal in your previous role, speaking negatively doesn’t reflect well on you ethier. Rather than being negative, be factual and respectful.
- Do be yourself. You want to project an authentic and genuine demeanour. Understand that interviews are as much an opportunity to show the interviewer who you are as they are to demonstrate your skills and experience.
- Don’t brag. While you should celebrate and be proud of your achievements, humility is powerful.
- Ask lots of questions, however make sure your questions are relevant and the answers aren’t something that could be easily found (e.g. on the company website).
- Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know the answer to a question. Honesty is the best policy here, so don’t try to blag it. Instead, explain how you have dealt with things you were unfamiliar with in the past so the interviewer can be confident you’ll be able to learn and take on new challenges.
We hope you found the points above useful. Stay tuned for the final article on what to do after your interview!