Some thoughts on preparing for an interview.

It might have been a few weeks since you last looked at the hiring company’s’ website, read it again make some notes to take to the interview. Look at about us, work for us, news, products, get a real sense of them.

Remember have a smart appearance for the interview don’t let yourself down, I have seen smart suits and dresses with dirty shoes, ties on…. but loose around the neck. You have only one chance to make a first impression, it’s cheesy but true. Be smart even if it’s an online interview.

Try and find the person interviewing you on LinkedIn or any other channel and see if you can find some common ground. You may have worked for similar companies, live in the same town, both be keen golfers, etc. This info may pay off at some point as the interview plays out. Lots of studies have shown people make very quick decisions on candidates so you need to be on the ball from the very start - smiling, polite, calm, articulate and so on.

Ensure that you review the route options. Find out if there is parking, what is the local train station, are there any road closures, do what you can to plan for a smooth journey. Make sure you get to the interview at least 5-10 minutes early, however in truth aim to get to the location 20 minutes before the interview. Sit somewhere quiet and gather your thoughts, go through your notes, and focus on your objective, and visualize a positive outcome. I have seen too many candidates arrive late, sweating, and panicking, trying to get it together. Remember traffic could be bad, a train could be running late, you could struggle to find the parking zone, etc. What would you think if you were the hiring manager! Go in calm, collected, positive and smiling. Like attracts like!

If it’s Zoom or Teams meeting have a trial run ensure the tech works, lock yourself somewhere quiet away from dogs, kids, take the phone off the hook, put the mobile on silent, put a note on the door “do not disturb”, etc. Also think about what is behind you in the room does the interviewer want to see your posters, dirty dishes or 3 empty wine bottles! These calls can be tricky as people often speak over each other, so slow down take your time. It’s also hard to show your personality in these situations but smile through it, be positive, let them feel your energy.

On a face-to-face interview always have several copies of your CV with you, I have seen hiring managers forget to bring them, or an extra person joins the meeting. You will look professional and prepared, have them neatly in a folder not at the bottom of a rucksack. It’s also good for you to have your CV in front of you, so you can remember what you have said! Also take a copy of the job spec with you, it will be very handy when talking through key points. I would mark it up with reminders of where you have done some of the tasks before and other key pieces of info you wish to convey. You need to demonstrate this role is within your sphere of capability, use real examples from your past.

Think about what questions they will ask in advance:

• Where have you done these tasks before?
• What are your weaknesses and strengths?
• What is attractive about this role for you?
• What do you know about us?
• What is your greatest achievement?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• How have you dealt with difficult situations?
• Why do you want to leave your current employer?
• How do you respond to pressure and stress?
• Do you like to work alone or in a team?

Keep your answers positive and upbeat, don’t be negative about your current / previous employers it never sends out the right signal no matter how you really feel. Maybe it’s just time for a change or your current employer is downsizing, or you are looking for a company that is growing and creating new opportunities, etc.

If you have had several short roles, please think about how you will address this? Were they contract? Were you headhunted? Did you move? Did the role change? And so on. The biggest fear for most hirers is employing someone that may only stay for 6-12 months and has a history of short-lived roles.

Have a list of questions which will ensure the company is blown away by your research and shared passion for what they do. A few examples:

• I can see the organisation has grown by 40% over the last 3 years and I am keen to understand what has underpinned this growth?
• I can see you have moved into new markets what does the roadmap look like over the next 12 months?
• You have a great set of services are you planning to expand these into other sectors?
• This role looks like a great challenge and I can see there is a fantastic opportunity for your products to grow, in time will there be opportunities to climb the management ladder?
• I can see you have bought several businesses over the last 2 years are there plans to integrate or share core services?
• Are there training opportunities within the company to further enhance my skills?

Avoid questions centered around money, holidays, etc. This can be dealt with at the closing stages, get them to want you first. I am assuming there was a salary guide with the job spec, so the key message we want to get across is that it must be the right move for both parties and that you are keen. Let them know that you like what you have heard if you have and that for you it feels like a great fit both from a cultural and commercial perspective.

Don’t be afraid to ask killer questions at the end, if you feel it’s a role you want and it’s going well. It’s tough to do but I have seen it get great results!

Here are some examples:

“I have really enjoyed meeting you today and have a good understanding of the role and the organisation. I really would like to be part of this journey with you, is there anything that would stop you offering me the role”?

“I have really appreciated your time today thank you. I must say I really do want to work for you and this organisation, everything I have seen and heard has re-enforced that feeling. What do I need to do to be part of this team”?

Hopefully, you get the offer you want. Sometimes the salary might be a little lower than you anticipated, however if the opportunity is strong, can they agree to a salary review in 6 months? If you spend 2 months longer out of work because the salary was slightly too low for you that salary uplift has probably disappeared in that period, anyway. Look at the big picture, only you will know what’s right for you. Whatever you decide don’t delay your final decision for too long I have seen companies withdraw offers, or someone else comes from leftfield and grabs the role from under your nose.

Good luck job hunting!