‘Future employers want to know what you will bring to their business but nothing is more of a turn off than someone who is in a negative mindset at interview’.
How to prepare yourself:
- Make sure you schedule interviews wherever possible at a time when you have best energy (eg; Are you a morning/ afternoon person?)
- Eat beforehand and ensure you are well hydrated and rested
- Do your homework and be prepared for your interviewer, with examples ready to discuss and some key questions to ask of them about the role/ organisation
- Have a personal mantra that you can repeat and ensure you focus on your value and your achievements / self-worth
- Get there a little early and ensure you are not under undue pressure to achieve this
Avoid the following Traps:
- Focusing on negatives in your current / last role
- Being fearful to share information or trying to present as you think the interviewer may wish you to present, versus being genuine and true to yourself and bringing your whole self to the interview (This often comes across as disingenuous and will not foster trust and rapport)
- Taking control of the interview and doing most of the talking, without checking if you are hitting the mark/ answering key questions
- Over answering questions by giving too much detail and as a result running over time. This may not provide space for the interviewer to delve into their key areas of interest, or explore any question marks they may have
- Thinking you will ‘wing it’ or do not need to do your homework before the interview!
Our Top Tips for Success:
- Prepare and approach the interview as a two way discussion, with a personable and open approach to the discussion (including open body language and initial rapport building, at the onset.
- Turn negative experiences into learning opportunities and talk to what you have learnt and applied versus talking about issues and challenges in your current role
- Ask high level, open ended questions and demonstrate genuine interest in the business, their journey and the role
- Stay succinct and answer questions as specifically as you are able, with an examples based approach to back-up what you say and ‘Evidence your Experience’
- Focus on what you want in your next role versus the reasons you are leaving your current role
- Ensure you emphasis what you have achieved, despite challenges versus the barriers you have faced and talk about how these learnings translate into what you want in a next step change/ organisation/ employer
- Stay away from salary discussions at this stage and focus on the opportunity, scope and demonstrating how you will add value
- Sincerely thank people for their time and ask if there is anything they would like to discuss further or areas that they did not get a chance to cover, where they may like some further information/ to explore further
- Always seek feedback and take learnings to apply to future interviews and adopt a growth mindset going into and coming out of any interview
‘An interview should be a two-way sharing of information and a level of chemistry and connection is critical for success. Being yourself, being genuine, demonstrating your interest and being prepared to talk confidently about the value you bring and your reasons for exploring any opportunity is critical for success.
Do not forget to let people see who you are and what matters to you, as this will help you stand out and present unique qualities, which always create lasting impressions.’
