Winning at an interview: tips and techniques for beginners

We all know the overwhelming sensation of an interview, and if you don't- I sincerely hope that this article will enlighten you and equip you for what's imminent and inevitable in your career pursuits.

Job interviews. They don't get any easier, but they do, however, become less daunting after time, and an extra tip here and there never hurt anyone.

Having the opportunity to conduct numerous interviews in the last few years, it became a lot clearer what the expectations and requirements would be when playing the role of "the interviewer."

When I rolled out the interview process for the inaugural Ferrari Internship Campaign in 2017, we anticipated senior management to be present during the interview process.

Understanding how unnerving the interview experience would be, I planned to fully equip and prepare the selected candidates for the process. I sent individual emails to each applicant selected for the interviewing round and provided them with a set of guidelines and tips to impress the powers that be on the day.

After all, I had faith in this young generation and I wanted them to make a longstanding impression as I believed they could.

In the last two years of the program, we have successfully recruited five dynamic interns, three of whom were offered permanent positions in the company.

So how do we win this interview game? Here's a synopsis of the interview tips and guidelines that have assisted those before you and I trust that they will continue to do so as you journey on through your careers.?

1. Do your homework:?

Google, read up, and your some research on the company or organization where you are applying for a position. Employees don't expect you to recite the company's history and declare its profits and losses over the last decade. But, they do, however, expect you to understand the company and its background, you need to know and familiarize yourself with its products and services. The company's brand values, vision, and mission statement should be taken into consideration.?

The best place to start researching the company is through its official website and social media pages. In the digital age, there is no excuse. At any point in time, there are insurmountable amounts of information on any organization and/or product that we can easily obtain through the click of a button. Assess what is relevant and use the data to your advantage.

2. Practice and prepare

Most interviewers are likely to begin your interview with questions and ice-breakers such as "So, Susan, tell me a little bit more about yourself?" Albeit a very basic question, often the simplicity of it catches us off guard and we stutter and stumble as we try to find apt descriptions about ourselves.

Prepare your personal descriptions and motives and present what skills, knowledge, and expertise you have to the interviewers. Familiarize yourself with your updated resume and be prepared to explain any aspect of it if required.

Take time to think of and preempt answers to the most commonly asked interview questions. For example: "Why are you the ideal candidate for the position?

Be intuitive and listen attentively throughout the interview and answer questions as directly and precisely as possible. In addition, prepare a list of possible questions you may have after the interview. Keep these on hand for after the interviewer has asked all the relevant/necessary questions.??

3. Arrive on time (This means early)

If ever you wanted to make a good impression- arrive earlier than expected. It shows sheer eagerness and indicates you have prioritized the appointment above all else. Punctuality or early arrival in this day and age indicates discipline, commitment, and one's willingness to go above and beyond the norm.

In addition, arriving early will allow you to have a few moments to gather your thoughts, refocus and settle into the environment before entering the interview. There is nothing worse than arriving at an appointment in the nick of time and having to rush through the doors, with your heart palpitating and sweaty palms as you apologetically greet the interviewer for being late. Don't do it. There's no need to add to the pressure. Click to read more about the Benefits of punctuality at work

Lastly, when you do arrive- punctually, be sure to introduce yourself to every representative present with a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a genuinely warm greeting before the interview commences.??

4. Dress neatly and professionally.

You may be familiar with the well-known quote, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have" and there is a lot of truth in this somewhat cliched adage.

Whether we like it or not, judgments will always be made on one's first appearance. Studies have indicated that inappropriate dressing causes 40 percent of job rejections. Don't risk it.

When I first started interviewing for the 2017 Internship campaign, young millennials had to apply online through their social media pages with a picture of themselves alongside a motivation. The applications showed fresh-faced men and women- most of whom were students- in their casual everyday attire. You know- jeans, hoodies, t-shirts- the usual student attire. I recall showing my COO the images of the casually-clad applicants of which he didn't seem too phased. The difference came in when my COO saw the same fresh-faced men and women suited up professionally in their neat corporate attire. Only then did he decide to take these young students seriously and give them a chance to pursue their dream careers.

In the corporate world, there are several significant benefits of being well-groomed and appropriately dressed, including increased confidence and heightened self-esteem to name a few. The rest I'd be happy to share in more detail in an independent article.

5.???Stay calm, have fun, and embrace the opportunity.

The duration of most interviews is usually anything between 15- 45 minutes long, depending on the nature of the application. This is your chance to establish a rapport with the interviewer and showcase your skills, knowledge, and expertise one on one. There's no better person to share what you know other than yourself. Have confidence and enjoy the conversation.?

Embrace the interview opportunity, give it your best shot and despite the outcome of the interview, be proud to have made it so far. Every experience is a stepping-stone to excel in future endeavors. Go out there and show them what you have to offer!?

Best of luck!?

BR

Chanelle