Top Talent Tips to Smashing Your Interview

At Top Talent, we help prepare you for your interview. This isn’t because we think you don’t know how to, but we know our clients, and we know what they are looking for.? But also, because we want to help you, we can help you to adjust your focus to what really matters. When we recruit, we look for candidates as close to the job spec as possible, whilst keeping in mind the culture of the company. We care deeply about the environment we place candidates into, and don’t ever want to take someone from a job and put them in a toxic work environment. We have a strenuous process that we follow to ensure that the best people are placed in a role that is mutually beneficial for both parties. We don’t recruit from a target point, but rather with a long-term goal of advancing your career and enhancing our client’s company. We develop a personal relationship with both our clients and our candidates. This allows us to see who the best person for the job will be. Everything we do, we do from a place of joy and excitement for what we do, and not because we are desperate to make placements. We would rather not make the placement than put the wrong person in the role. That being said, here are a few things we would like you to keep in mind before going to your interview.

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1.????????? Know Thy Company

One of the things that drastically helps candidates with their interviews is knowing more about the client. Who are they? What do they do? What do they stand for? Always ask your recruiter to tell you about the company you are going to. Ask them what their experience of the client is. What are they like? Go onto their website and glean as much information as possible from what they have posted. Most companies have the “Who We Are” or “About Us” button on their website. This will give you more information as to the kind of environment you will be stepping into. Is it a family business? What do they do? What is their goal? What are they wanting to achieve? Where are they based?

2.???????? Know Thy Role

Find out more about the position you are being recruited for. What are they wanting me to do? Is there anything on the job spec that I am not comfortable with or can’t do? How will this role impact the company? Who does it report into? How many direct reports do I have? Are there any skills required that I don’t have, and why are they asking for those? (Normally listed as advantageous in the job description). Who will be interviewing me from the company? This is always important, try and connect with these people on LinkedIn before going into the interview. This will help you place faces to names and understand their role and place in the company. By knowing more about the people in the room, you can focus more on the content of the interview and not be intimidated by the people in front of you. Ask your recruiter if the role is a hybrid position. Ask your recruiter why the person in that role left in the first place. You want to have all the answers you possibly can before you enter the room.

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3.????????? Know Thyself

At the end of the day, this is your career. Ask yourself why you are considering this position.? Is it the proximity to where you live, is it the financial aspect, is it a growth opportunity, or are you looking for a healthier working environment. By knowing your ‘why’, you automatically have a better understanding of what you are looking for. As much as they are interviewing you for their company, you are interviewing them for your career. Is this a place you want to work at? Do you see yourself working with these people? Are there growth opportunities here? How can I improve their situation? How can I become an asset to the company? By placing yourself as the head of the interview and making it about your career, you will automatically be less nervous and more focused.

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4.???????? Ask Questions

Prepare questions ahead of time. This shows the company that you have done your research, that you are invested in this process and are taking interest in their company and the role. Good things to ask would be any questions you initially asked your recruiter that you would like more information or clarification on. Ask the company about their culture. Ask the company about their goals and see if they are aligned with yours. By asking tough questions, you not only gain more information, but it helps the company to see how you think.

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5.????????? Show Up

Tardiness is never a good start to any interview. It shows a lack of consideration and immediately has your interviewers on high alert. Try and get to your interview at least (minimum) 15 minutes before the interview starts. This allows you to go to the bathroom if need be, grab a sip of water, find your interview room, familiarize yourself with the happenings around you (it’s amazing how much information you can get by watching others in the office). This also, and most importantly, allows you to catch your breath. To calm yourself down after the trip to get there. Go into your interview with a level head. Your appearance makes an impression before you open your mouth. Make sure that you are dressed appropriately for your interview. By making an effort with your appearance, it shows the company that you take this seriously and you are confident in your abilities.

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6.???????? Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

When in the interview, try and keep yourself as regulated as possible. Don’t rock in your chair, fidget, speak too softly or avoid eye contact. When you are anxious or nervous, scratching your nose or fidgeting and avoiding eye contact seems natural. However, in this instance, you want to come across as sure of yourself as possible. By making eye contact with each person in the room, having your hands above the table or on your lap, feet on the floor (or ladies one leg crossed over the other), you seem confident yet relaxed and comfortable in your surroundings. Things like over-using hand gestures, over-blinking, hunched over shoulders, looking down, frantically searching in your handbag… these can all be very distracting and can often cost you your interview without you saying a word.

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7.????????? Ending On a Good Note

When it comes to leaving the interview, shaking hands with those in the room is a nice way to end the interview. Smiling and thanking them for their time, shows a warm and kind nature and that you valued their time. If they offered you something to drink, don’t leave your glass or mug on the table, but rather ask where the kitchen Is so that you can leave it in the sink. This shows the interviewers that you are respectful, considerate, and that you remember the smaller details. All of these things will be memorable to the interviewers long after you have left. Once the interview is over, let your recruiter know how it went. Sometimes sending a mail to your recruiter thanking the company for their time and providing your feedback on the interview, will allow the company to hear your feedback and provide their own feedback to the recruiter in a timely manner.

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Interviews are stressful, and can be nerve-wracking, but by following these steps, you are guaranteed to help nail your interview time and time again. All the best, we’re holding thumbs for you!