Being a jobseeker can be hard. No matter what steps you take to find the perfect job, the most important obstacle between you and your dream job is the dreaded interview.
So, how can you approach your interview feeling prepared and confident?
Normally, interview questions will mostly be based on your application profile, but they can still feel daunting. The company you are applying to work for wants an employee who lives up to their expectations in terms of qualifications, experience, ambition and work culture.
HR teams are experienced in reading your personality and ability. You might think that you will be asked a bunch of standard questions and by providing pre-determined answers, you will get the job. Unfortunately, it is rarely that easy.
A Few Tips
Answering Questions About Yourself
During an interview, describing yourself is a key question. an interviewer will be keen to know about you and your work history. They will have read your CV and application letter but will want to know more details and, specifically, examples of your skills and achievements.
Keep your answers specific and relevant. The interviewer isn’t asking for your life history; they want to hear specific information that will show them you are a perfect candidate for the job.
Prepare to talk about skills and experiences that are relevant. Make sure you are familiar with the job description and have matched your skills to the key requirements for the job. Prepare examples from your work history or interests for each.
Answering Questions About the Company
Interviews are a vital stepping stone towards your dream job. Make sure you are fully prepared and have done your research prior to attending the interview. If you have been sent to the interview by a recruiter, you may not know much detail about the company, so make sure you ask.
Try to find out as much information as you can. Here are some tips on how to find out key information about the company you will be interviewing with:
- Check out the company’s announcements; look for any expansion plans or mergers, or any new products or services. Also, look at the company’s financial information. Check newspapers, websites and blogs.
- Check their social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. Some companies are more active on these platforms than others. This is a great place to find the most up to date information.
- If you know someone who is already employed by the company or even an ex-employee, ask them whether they would be able to answer some of your questions. This is a great way to get insider information.
Knowing this key information will help you answer questions like: “Why do you want to work here?”. Express the key reasons that you want to work at the company and show how you would be a great fit for the team. Explain how you will provide the expertise that the company is looking for.
The interviewers will want to see that you have knowledge of the company and that you care enough to have done your research. They want to hire an employee who understands their business plans and someone who will be able to contribute to their future ones.
Answering Questions About Your Last Job
If you are asked about your last job, always focus on your future plans and goals and how this new position will help you achieve them. There are many good reasons that you might have decided to leave your current position so always focus on positive reasons for the move.
Even if the reason for your move is something difficult, such as redundancy, focus on the opportunities ahead of you, and your excitement about the new challenges this company is offering.
Asking Your Own Questions
An interview is an important opportunity to find out more about the company you are applying to. Most of the time, the interviewer will expect you to ask questions so make sure you have some prepared. You can ask simple questions like:
- “Why did the previous employee leave?”
- “Why is this position needed?”
- “What are your measures of success in the role?”
- “What benefits or opportunities for promotion will there be?”
Make sure you choose questions that demonstrate your interest in the company and the role, and your keenness to be prepared and do well. Try and think of questions that will generate conversation and allow you to engage warmly with the interviewer.
If you have any concerns about the suitability of the position or company for you, make sure you leave the interview with enough information to help you make your decision.