When you are thinking about leaving your current working position, I have frequently found that it is more often than not a feeling in your gut than a thought in your head. You know when it is becoming the right time to take a leap and move onto the next adventure.
With that said, interviewing and the idea of seeking a new position can be incredibly daunting. That is why I thought that I would sit down today and share with you some of my top tips for preparing for an interview. To hopefully give you guys some more confidence when it comes to going for that next position.
Research the company.
The first and foremost thing that I need to mention is the amount of research that needs to be done prior to an interview. Show them that you have made a commitment to learning about the company, the role, the culture, the products and the services. If somebody turned up to interview with me that didn’t have the first clue about what we did, I would be seriously close to throwing out their application. Give me back some of the effort that I am dedicating to you with a simple Google search!
Understand the role and expectations clearly.
There have been times when I have seen a role that I want to apply for, but the information around it is unclear. In this instance, prior to my interview I will reach out to them and ask them for further clarification. Some people may see this as inappropriate, but I would rather this than be misaligned on expectations and then waste my time with an individual that isn’t a correct fit. Ensure that you clearly understand the role and expectations.
Make notes of your achievements.
Often when I am put on the spot, I cannot think about what I actually do. I know that it is something to do with marketing but ask me to list it and I will become blank. Make notes. You may feel silly having to look at a list to remember the work that you do, but it will show an interviewer that you are taking your opportunity seriously. Note your key achievements, projects and things that you have overcome in the workplace. Tick off all the common interview questions in your notes.
Dress appropriately.
The workplace where I was for most of my early career was an incredibly laid-back place. Honestly, I think I could have rocked up in my pyjamas and most of the time they wouldn’t have bat an eyelid at me. With that said, it is important for people to really show up and dress the part. Whether it should be the case or not, impressions are made in a split decision and first impressions matter. Think clean lines, professional and well covered.
Be punctual.
When interviewing, there is a sweet spot. Be early, but don’t be too early that it interrupts the interviewer’s day. They have allocated time to you and arriving much earlier than scheduled will disrupt their plans. Aim to be present in the vicinity of the interview around 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Then for me, I would arrive early, wait in my car and then at the 10-minute mark, I would approach the building. It shows consideration.
Posture and appearance.
One thing that I despise when I am interviewing is people that slump and slouch. If I am using my time to speak to somebody and give them a potential opportunity, the minimum amount of effort that I expect from them is somebody that looks alert, engaged and with their back straight. If somebody has poor posture and looks like they could rather be anywhere else, the interview will be cut short and I will be moving onto the next candidate.
Remain positive throughout.
Often if you are looking to move on from a role, there is a reason why. Not many people do it simply for natural progression. Often a change in career happens because your old workplace is no longer aligning to your goals, views or expectations. And when speaking about work, it can be easy to bring up those qualms. However, keep your interview positive or it could potentially show a new employee the negatives of your personality.
Have questions prepared.
To me, it is always concerning when people don’t ask questions about the role. I think that companies should have to sell themselves to the individual, just as much as the hopeful employee has to sell themselves to a company. Think about company culture, overall KPIs, benefits and so much more. They don’t have to be deep questions, just simple things that can show you care about the role and are committed to learning more about the business.
Be calm and confident.
The final thing that I want to mention if regarding how you act within the interview. For me, when I have interviewed people, I learn so much about how they act rather than their credentials. I want somebody that is affluent, easy to talk to and confident in their words. I have also found the same when I have had interviews myself. It is ok to be unsure of an answer, if you can speak about it eloquently and calmly.
As always, I hope you guys enjoyed this post and learning more about my top tips for preparing for an interview. It is never an easy thing thinking about moving on. As humans, we are creatures of habit, and we stick to what we know. That is why we can feel so uncomfortable when it comes to branching out and trying something new. However, if you now feel like you are ready to spread your wings, I hope that this post has helped you have a little more confidence in your interview capabilities.
