We’ve put together some simple tips to give you a great head start on you’re way to a successful interview.
Great news, you’ve just been called for an interview! ……Now its time to make sure that all of your hard work in getting this far doesn’t go to waste.
Research – Learn as much as you can about the company
Nothing frustrates a hiring manager or interviewer than a candidate who doesn’t have a clue about the company or what they do. Rob Gallacher Director of PeopleStart Human Resources & Recruitment says “one simple way a candidate can stand out in an interview is to do their homework on the company”
Doing a little bit of research will show the interviewer that you have a good understanding of what kind of company they are, who their clients may be, services they provide and what projects they have done or have coming up.
This will also help the conversation as you’ll have lots to contribute and give you an opportunity to ask relevant questions.
Understand the position you are applying for
A large portion of your interview will focus on the role you are applying for and what makes you the ideal candidate, so make sure you have thorough knowledge of the job description, essential skills required and expected duties. Again, this will help you to navigate the interview so you can talk about the qualities you think you can bring to the role if you were offered the job.
Know your resume back to front
There’s nothing worse than having an interviewer ask you a question about something on your resume and you have no idea how to respond. Make a conscious effort to know your resume off by heart so that you can confidently talk about your previous positions, skills, personal interests and experiences. Your interviewer should have a copy of your resume in the interview but it can’t hurt to bring one with you just to be on the safe side.
Be yourself. But Keep it professional
Probably one of the toughest parts of an interview is being able to distinguish between being professional and being yourself. On the one hand you want the interviewer to find your personality appealing and you want the interview to feel as natural as possible, but on the other hand, first impressions count. Smile politely, greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact and always give them your full attention and will help to have a great job interview.
Always give examples when asked about your skills
It’s great to let your interviewer know you are hardworking, organised and have the ability to work within a team, but it will be much more believable if you prove these attributes. Give an example of when you were really organised, talk about an incident in which you worked well within a team and discuss a time where you worked really hard on a project. This will give your skills much more depth and the interviewer will be able to envisage you as part of the company more accurately.
Have a few questions prepared at the end
Great job interviews are a two-way street, you’re interviewing them as much as they are you, so make sure you have a few questions to ask. You could ask about career progression, upcoming projects or why they are a great company to work for. In regard to asking about salary, its best to judge the situation. Some interviewers wont mind you asking at all, others may. You don’t want to come across as wanting the job on purely the salary.
GetHired provide Career Coaching, Interview Training and Resume Writing in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide & Brisbane.
Our Professional Career Coaches can help you discover your dream job or help you ensure you have great job interview which lead to your success.
Call us on 1300 134 110 or visit www.gethiredaustralia.com.au