You’ve been asked to an interview and you start to panic. ‘I need to prepare!’ you say to yourself as you scan through your CV, hoping that you can find examples that put you in the best light. You look in your wardrobe to find a suitable outfit, write notes to help you remember your answers. What’s next?
Interviews can be stressful for some people and there are a few things that you can do to help calm your nerves, while also impressing your prospective employer:
An interview is a conversation, YOU guide its direction
If you have been called to an interview there is a strong likelihood that your prospective employer wants to know more about you. If you approach the process as though you are in a social environment, it will help to ease the nerves. Say what you are comfortable in sharing and make sure to plant a seed for further discussion in a certain area. If you forget to say something, don’t be afraid to allude to it later in the conversation to bring it back to focus.
Focus on your career journey
Many people stumble, not on the competency questions, but on the questions that are pointed to them; ‘Tell me about yourself’, ‘Why should we hire you?’, ‘What are your strengths and weaknesses?’… When you deep-dive into WHY you have applied to the job, it will be easier to talk about your career journey to date.
Don’t over prepare
Like an exam, if you prepare too much and fail to say what you want in an interview, it will throw you off for the rest of the conversation. Have a rough idea in your head, looking at the transferable skills you can BRING, and the rest will naturally follow. You can read more about how to prepare effectively here.
Use the STAR method
This is extremely helpful in shaping your answers since it clearly outlines where you were, what you did and the result. If you haven’t heard about the STAR method, feel free to read our blog.
Practice
Whether you avail of services to conduct mock interviews or express your answers in front of a friend, this will help you to hear yourself out loud and refine your approach. It will help you catch yourself if speaking too long or identify places where you can elaborate further.
Remember
- If you are unsure of the dress code for the interview, don’t be afraid to ask for more details. To be safe, a smart casual approach is acceptable.
- Try not to fidget, but if you do, clasp your hands in front of you. If you’re an expressive talker, use those hands!
- Body language is important, so if you want to appear welcoming and open to discussion, avoid leaning back on your chair. Acknowledging the interviewers names will go a long way and try to smile occasionally.
- You can bring your CV with you to the interview to use as a reference. It will help you to guide the interviewers to where you are referencing as you are talking.
- Always have a question to ask the interviewers at the end. It shows your genuine interest in the company or in the position.