Interviews have become even more critical in the war for talent.  Employers are looking far beyond what you look like ‘on paper’. They want to understand your motivations and drivers. They want to find people who are a good cultural fit and who are going to be part of their future.

Over the last 2 years the definition of an ‘interview’ has changed.  Interviews are conducted through phone calls, video calls, in person or a combination of all three.  Overall, the process is longer and more people are involved.  Candidates who are confident across all interview formats will have an advantage, but those that don’t prepare, or make the assumption that it is a tick-box-step will fall short.

Here is a refresher on the essentials for nailing your job interview.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

Do your research
You still need to show your familiarity with the organisation. You still need to explain why you want to work for them. Visiting their website and social media channels is a must. It also helps to search for recent media releases and stories. Build these in to your responses to demonstrate your knowledge and interest.

Prepare your responses
Getting the balance right between pre-prepared responses and being authentic can be tricky. Preparation is critical, but you don’t want to come off stiff and scripted.

Interview questions are changing in response to shifting workplace trends. You might be asked about your familiarity with tools and communication platforms. Be prepared to share your working preferences across face-to-face, remote and hybrid. Employers want to understand how well you adapt to change and how resilient you are.

Build context into your answers so they can properly understand your role and the outcome. Share your lessons learnt and how you might do things differently next time. This demonstrates emotional maturity and an ability to reflect on your own performance.

Dress to impress
Treat your online interview exactly like a face-to-face meeting. Dress professionally from top to toe. Hybrid working might have relaxed some expectations about appropriate work attire, but when you are interviewing you should always dress to impress.

Prepare your space
This one is specific to online interviews. Join your interview in a quiet space with no distractions and no other people around. Check what will be visible in the background, or use the blurred background function. Have your notes and some water easily accessible.

Arrive early
If your interview is face-to-face, give yourself plenty of time to arrive and be ready. You might need to find parking, locate the building and go through reception processes. If your interview is online, log in to the platform a few minutes early. Then you have time to manage any tech issues that might crop up. Check your technology in advance (headphones, microphone, webcam). Don’t leave it until right before the interview to try out new technology!

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Be confident
Easier said than done, we know! But .

• Stand or sit up straight
• Make direct eye contact
• Avoid fidgeting
• Use natural hand gestures while talking
• Smile 😊

Make a conscious effort to slow down and speak clearly – especially if sound quality is a poor during an online or telephone interview.

Listen and respond
Make sure you are really listening to the questions asked, and don’t be afraid to seek clarification. Respond to non-verbal cues – nodding heads, eye contact and smiles are good signs you are engaging them.

Ask questions
Use your research to prepare some questions. But don’t ask questions for the sake of it. Tailor them to the organisation and the role to show you are carefully considering if they are a good fit for you.

Leave a good last impression
First impressions count, but so do last impressions. End the interview by thanking the interviewer for their time and consideration. Reconfirm your interest and fit for the role. Consider sending a follow up email or message afterwards, thanking them for the opportunity.

If you are looking for a new role and preparing for job interviews, we can help you gain an edge over your peers in your job search.

To discuss how we could help you secure your dream job, get in contact with our recruitment consultants today.

To submit your resume or view our open vacancies, head to the Candidate menu at the top of this page.