Off the cuff

Our friends at The Lecture Room have sent us their top tips for interview success. You can read them here:

1. Practice doesn’t make perfect. But it does help you to progress!  So, ask a friend to do an interview role play with you. The experience will make you feel more comfortable when it comes to the real thing. 

2. Know the company. In the cover letter and CV stage you should have displayed an adequate amount of research or at least interest in the company you are applying for, but if you didn’t now is the time to start! What a large majority of students and graduates fail to understand is that interviews are about how your skills will benefit their company.

Here are some essential questions to research about your prospective company before the interview:

• What are the company’s objectives? (useful tip: Look for a mission statement)
• How well are they doing? – look for their annual report; what are news channels saying about them?
• What are their main products/services? – Don’t make assumptions based on what you see in the general media channels, find out about every revenue stream
• What’s the latest thing happening in the organisation or the organisation’s environment?
• How can your skills and qualifications help the organisation? – This is your opportunity to link you to them; what degree modules can help the job role? What relevant experience do you have?

3. Dress Code is ALWAYS formal. When you appear for an interview, whether for McDonald’s or Merrill Lynch, you should dress formally. It signals to your employer that you take the job opportunity seriously and you know how to present yourself. However, if you’re fortunate enough to receive a second interview then take in the elements of your environment and adapt your dress code accordingly.

4. Be Early. There is nothing worse than arriving late, so have money ready in case you need to catch an emergency taxi. Ideally, you should aim to arrive 30 minutes before your interview, this will give you time to get comfortable and recap on your research. But, if you are going to be late due to circumstances out of your control, make sure you call as soon as possible to let them know.

5. Use your ears, eyes and mouth! Listen carefully to what the interviewer says and doesn’t say, as this may help you later on.

Eye contact shows your employer you are engaged with them and that you are attentive. It may feel weird at first as we rarely look into people’s eyes for long periods of time but the more you do it the more natural it becomes.

Your mouth has two uses in the interview; to communicate and to smile – with more of the latter. A smile can brighten up a person’s face and make the interviewer feel more comfortable with you.

6. Know your audience. Use your research, to help you adjust your style and tone of conversation to suit your environment. Use correct language and, where relevant, industry terminology.

7. Be prepared for difficult questions. There are some questions you can only learn to answer with experience. Firstly, consider one of your key strengths and weaknesses then prepare to give an explanation of each of them. Here are a few typical questions which can prove difficult when asked on the spot:

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Why do you want to work for this company?
• Why did you leave your last role?
• Why should we choose you?

8. Print a copy of the job specification. Tick off areas you know you have experience in and remember to mention them in your interview. This can also serve as a basis for your initial research.

9. Ask questions. Show you’re interested in the job and the company by asking questions. Questions can also imply how you are thinking about the job:

• What prospects are there for progression?

• What is the culture here at the organisation?

• Are there personal development opportunities available here?

10. Talk as though you are the only candidate. Make it so that the interviewer is only focused on YOU. Ask questions such as: “Who will I be reporting to?” and “When will I be required to start?”

11. Get a bit personal. Ask your interviewer subtle, personal questions to help open them up so they see you as a person and potential colleague – rather than ‘interviewee number 15’. You could even use LinkedIn to find out more about your interviewer and see if you have any common ground. And, don’t feel awkward about doing this; they’re probably doing the same thing to you!

12. NEVER forget that you are one of many. There are thousands of people applying for that ‘dream job’, so identify your USP and make sure you highlight what you can bring to the company.

13. The interviewer is just another company employee. If you’re starting to feel a bit anxious before or during the interview, remember that the person opposite you has had to sit through interviews at some point too.

14. Round up. As the interview comes to a close, offer the interviewer the opportunity to follow up on any areas they may not have covered or to revisit a question you feel you may not have answered fully. This is done with one simple question, “Is there anything you would like me to go over/expand on?”

15.  The follow up. If you feel the interview went well, follow up a few days later with an email detailing how much you appreciated the interview invitation and that you would appreciate any feedback on your performance. Their feedback response will be useful for future interviews, as you can use these to adapt your approach.

Words by Marios Morris and Nathan Ghann

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