Landing your dream job often hinges on one crucial moment: the interview.
As a certified career coach my mission is to help women make positive changes in their work. I've seen countless clients start working with me, feeling nervous about job interviews, to finishing our time together feeling interview confident and ready to take on the challenge.
The good news is, with the right preparation, you can turn interview anxiety into interview excitement. This blog will give you the job interview tips you need to showcase your skills, impress the hiring manager, and land the job you desire.
Step One: Pre-Interview Preparation: Be Ready to Shine
Before you even step foot in a job interview, preparation is key. Here's what you need to do:
Research, Research, Research: Deep dive into the company and the specific role you're applying for. Understand their mission, values, and current projects. This demonstrates genuine interest and allows you to tailor your responses accordingly.
Master the Common Questions: Anticipate typical interview questions like "tell me about yourself" or "what are your strengths and weaknesses?" Prepare clear, concise, and impactful answers that highlight your relevant skills and experience.
Craft Your Story: Develop a compelling personal narrative that showcases your career journey and key achievements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, highlighting the challenges you faced, the actions you took, and the positive outcomes you achieved.
Step Two: During the Interview: Shine Confidently
From the moment you walk in, confidence is critical:
Build Rapport: Smile, make eye contact, and greet everyone warmly. First impressions matter, so project a positive and professional demeanour.
Answer with Confidence: Speak clearly and concisely, avoiding filler words like "um" and "ah." Back up your statements with specific examples from your past experiences.
Pause & Breathe: Don't forget to pause as you need, like when you're ask an interview question you've never thought about. The interviewer is looking for a relevant, considered answer, not a fast one. Afterall, there isn't added marks for speed! Have subtle interview strategies that help give you space to pause e.g. taking a deep breath, a 'holding' statement "That's an interesting question, let me consider that", or take a drink of water to buy you thinking time before answering.
Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare a few thoughtful questions for the interviewer, to ask either during or at the end of the interview. This demonstrates your curiosity and genuine interest in the role and the company.
Step Three: Post-Interview Follow-Up: Leave a Lasting Impression
Don't let the last thing you do in an interview process be walk out of the interview (or close down the zoom room!). Instead, go the extra mile and stand out from the crowd by:
Sending a Thank You Email: Send a timely thank-you email reiterating your interest in the position and highlighting something specific you discussed during the interview.
Self-Reflecting: Take some time to reflect on your interview performance. What went well? What could you improve on for future interviews? A Stop/Start/Continue framework is a super easy way to frame this debrief. It also helps us not be too hard on ourselves by failing to recognise what went well, no matter the final outcome.
By following these job interview tips and investing in yourself, you can approach your next job interview feeling confident and prepared.
Want to take your interview preparation a step further? Download my FREE '10 Powerful Questions' guide packed with smart questions to ask during or at the end of a job interview, helping you stand out as an interview top contender.
Ready to Ace Your Next Interview? For a comprehensive interview strategy tailored to your specific needs, explore my Job Interview Packages. We can work together to help you land the job of your dreams!
Hi, I'm Heather, a certified career & business coach on a mission to help women globally make positive changes in their work. I help women navigate career transitions and build fulfilling businesses.
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