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Let’s discuss some top tips of how to win at an interview. These tips can be useful if you’re a recent grad looking for your first job or a “returner” looking to refresh your interviewing skills.
Be prepared: Do your research on the company and the specific role for which you’re interviewing. Have your answers memorised for the standard questions, such as:
Why do you want to work here?
Why should we hire you?
What most impresses you about this company?
What did you think of the Annual Report? What most recent article about our company/ sector interested you and why?
What would you change if you were CEO?
Where do you see yourself in 1,5,10,20 years?
What are your weaknesses? What are your strengths?
Relay an interesting story about yourself.
If you could change the world, how would you?
Who do you most/ least admire?
Tell me something about yourself that’s not on your CV.
Describe a dilemma.
Do you have a question? (hint: the answer here must ALWAYS be yes, and have a good one researched and ready.)
Remember in every answer to show research, enthusiasm and your strengths in an equal amount to what they are looking for. This requires military precision and practice. Get someone to practice with you if needed.
The day before the interview email to confirm the meeting.
Be professional: Look and sound like you fit for the role you’re interviewing. This may sound obvious, but you wouldn’t believe the things I’ve seen in interviews! Dress professionally, ironed, clean clothes and shoes. Hair clean and tidy. Eye contact. Smile.
If it’s an in-person interview, have a hard copy of your CV. Arrive with pen and paper to take notes. If it’s online, make sure you are providing them a tidy and professional view behind you. Well light your face. Show energy and enthusiasm! Again, you would not believe the things I’ve seen. Mobile switched off and do NOT answer it if it vibrates.
Convince them that you are the person they need to solve a problem, see their client, do whatever you are interviewing for. Be confident that you are the one they want! Show them!
Be attentive and alert: You are on display. Eye contact. Do not yawn or allow impolite bodily noises (again, you won’t believe what I’ve seen). Have a question ready to fire when they ask which shows you have researched the company and are keen to work there. Smile. Good handshake. Did I mention eye contact?
It’s an added talent to search for something personal in the office or on the Zoom screen that may provide a hint of what the interviewer is interested in. Is there sports team memorabilia? If you can do it, identify the interviewers’ interest or hobby and start discussing it. It may separate you from other candidates.
Know what they are looking for and be that best person:
Team Player: Now, this is tricky for some high achievers. Convince them you are indispensable to their TEAM. They will know from your 4,000 A*s, that you are determined, clever and capable. But can you be a team member? The last thing they want is a young whippersnapper who thinks they can do better than the seasoned professionals that have worked for 30 years, or offend the other mid to low-level managers with whom your working. One of my hardest obstacles when I was in Investment Banking – and there were many – was convincing the MDs secretary that I was worth acknowledging. She was tough and mean. But I won her over.
Leader: They are also looking for someone who can think on their feet, be a leader and step in when needed.
Lacky: Make sure it’s clear that you are hungry and not arrogant. Show that you will have no problem being the bottom of the totem pole. You are not too proud to make coffee, fetch lunch, etc. Show that you want to learn.
Be keen: This is not the time to judge their corporate values or vision. If you want the job, live, breathe and convince them with enthusiasm and commitment. You can convince then to change the mission statement once you’re part of the company. Right now, you are on the outside.
Follow up that day with a thank you email.
Remember Resilience: If this interview doesn’t work out, learn from it and move on. Take the time to analyse where you could have improved. But then leave it: It wasn’t meant to be. If you do progress to the next stage, congratulations. But know it’s not over yet. Next you probably meet the boss. Review and implement steps 1-7 again.
Good luck!
This is such a handy sheet to have- great tips ideas and advice. I also find having a handy list of prior experiences (work related incidents) useful as very often you are asked to talk about your characteristics supported by incidents/examples.
Great practical advice. I especially like the one about searching the interviewer’s surroundings for a indication of oersonal interests. In this day of zoom conversations it is a lost art.
Thanks for the reminders! Very timely as I’ve got a round 2 interview with a company CEO this week.
As ever good tips. A few of my own-
Remember that the weakness you offer up is in fact a strength eg I can perhaps be too much of a perfectionist !
Ask for feedback after a rejection, particularly if you made it through several phases of the process . Some companies take this request seriously and you might learn something useful .
And always have some questions to ask – very offputting for an interviewer to ask an interviewee if there are any questions he/she would like to ask and the response is “I can’t think of anything”…
This post on interviewing tips and the post on grads looking for job are a great pair and so helpful–for us grown ups who may be thinking about a change and a must-share for our kids as well. Will pass them on to mine!
Big compliment from someone as successful and experienced as you! Many thanks.
This is brilliant, thank you. It’s been a long time since I’ve been interviewed so this will really help my boys when the time is right. xx
May all their interviews be successes!