Preparation, preparation, and yes, more preparation.
Being invited to attend an interview for a position you have applied for is a Big Deal. It means you have already overcome the initial, seemingly insurmountable hurdle in that the organisation has assessed the application documents you submitted and decided that there is a strong chance that you are suitable for the role. You may also already have completed assessments which have further confirmed your suitability. You will do yourself an injustice if you don’t take advantage of the opportunity to succeed by being thoroughly prepared.
If you were meeting with an important client or an influential stakeholder, you would prepare as much as you possibly can. Approach your interview preparation with the same professionalism and enthusiasm.
These are a few things you can do to maximise your success at interview.
Research the business. Find out everything you can about the industry trends, products/services, history, projects, values, culture, online presence and media mentions. Not only will this inform you about whether the company is perfect for your next career move, but will also provide guidance on what to focus your answers on in the interview.
If the position is in your current organisation, gather as much information as you can about the department, the leadership and team, and the work they do. Understand the team’s successes and challenges and why the position is vacant.
Finding out who your interviewers are can also be helpful. Knowing their positions and professional backgrounds can provide useful insight into the type of questions that they may ask.
Analyse the job advertisement and position description and familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and requirements and be prepared to clearly communicate how you will be able to fulfill these accountabilities.
Explore any unfamiliar terminology, acronyms or technologies mentioned.
Be ready to confidently express why you have applied for the position and why you believe you are suitable. Base this on your knowledge of the position and match it to your experience.
Understand your strengths and development areas in relation to the job and be prepared to articulate your achievements.
Prepare answers for potential interview questions. Anticipate what the interviewer/s may ask and practice your responses to common interview questions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers for evidence-based questions. This allows you to showcase your past experience, technical expertise and behavioural capabilities in the best possible light, and provide evidence that you will be able to perform successfully in the new role. Think of examples where you went above and beyond or accomplished something out of the ordinary or exceptional. Situations where you solved really complex problems or succeeded where your colleagues didn’t because your approach was unique.
Conduct mock interviews with a trusted career coach, friend or family member. Practice answering questions, receiving feedback and repositioning if necessary. This will build your confidence.
Prepare a few insightful questions. Not only does this indicate genuine interest, but there may be additional details you want to know about the company, team or position and this is the opportunity for you to obtain that information. Remember the selection process is also your opportunity to explore whether the organisation, team and job are a good fit for you.
If you need further assistance to prepare for your interview, please reach out to JJ Talent Solutions.
