In this article, I give you 10 tips to nailing your interview. I have over 10 years of experience sitting on interview panels and I can tell you first hand that if you nail these tips there won't be much standing in between you and that job you desperately want!
1. Turn Your Music Off
In the time leading up to your interview (and I'm talking weeks before), you should be practicing your interview answers in the car. Have some pre-written answers for questions like "why do you want this role?" and "why do you want to leave your current role" and practice these answers while you're driving in the car.
2. Their Colours
Research the companies colours and wear them (subtly!) at your interview. There is tonnes of research around unconscious bias which is a persons ability to unconsciously credit or discredit you without even knowing that they're doing it! If you're wearing colours that the panelists already associate with their organisation, you're speaking to their unconscious bias.
My interview prep kete includes a large focus on unconscious bias and provides simple practical things for you to do to improve your chances of landing the job you want! CLICK HERE
3. Switch It On In The Carpark
From the moment you park your car at the premises where your interview is, you should be in interview mode. This means that you are walking with confidence and that you are greeting everyone that you see on your way inside and please don't be late!
4. Make Friends With The Receptionist
The receptionist is generally your first point of contact, it is extremely important that you make friends with them as soon as you walk in. Without a doubt, if you have an impression on the receptionist, they will tell the panelists.
5. Make Friends With The Panel
Whilst it's important to have really good answers during the interview, panelists want to know that you will fit with the team, so make friends in the first 5 minutes of entering the interview.
6. Drink Your Water
If the Panel have offered you water, drink it - it's a way to show that you are comfortable in the situation.
7. Remember Their Names
Self-explanatory, if you can remember their names and you use them throughout the interview, you're onto a winner!
8. Ask For Clarification
There is nothing worse than answering a question in an interview and then realising that you didn't actually answer the question that they asked. If you have realised you've done this, let the panel know that you recognise you probably didn't answer that very well and ask them to repeat the question. Asking for clarification is a great way to let the panel know that you're not afraid to speak up if you haven't quite grasped something.
9. Relax
If you appear to be uptight, talking at a rapid pace, or your shoulders are close to your ears, these are all signs to the panel that you are not comfortable and can appear that you have something to hide. Drop your shoulders, take your time and you'll be fine.
10. Be Humble
Humility gets you a long way, whilst an interview is all about showcasing your skills, having the ability to admit your areas to work on will get you over the line (as long as your 'work-on's' don't outweigh your skills!).
I wish you all the best in your interview! If you think you might need a little extra help, I offer a full interview preparation service where I train you to go in a nail that interview.
You can click here to view the package.
1. Turn Your Music Off
In the time leading up to your interview (and I'm talking weeks before), you should be practicing your interview answers in the car. Have some pre-written answers for questions like "why do you want this role?" and "why do you want to leave your current role" and practice these answers while you're driving in the car.
2. Their Colours
Research the companies colours and wear them (subtly!) at your interview. There is tonnes of research around unconscious bias which is a persons ability to unconsciously credit or discredit you without even knowing that they're doing it! If you're wearing colours that the panelists already associate with their organisation, you're speaking to their unconscious bias.
My interview prep kete includes a large focus on unconscious bias and provides simple practical things for you to do to improve your chances of landing the job you want! CLICK HERE
3. Switch It On In The Carpark
From the moment you park your car at the premises where your interview is, you should be in interview mode. This means that you are walking with confidence and that you are greeting everyone that you see on your way inside and please don't be late!
4. Make Friends With The Receptionist
The receptionist is generally your first point of contact, it is extremely important that you make friends with them as soon as you walk in. Without a doubt, if you have an impression on the receptionist, they will tell the panelists.
5. Make Friends With The Panel
Whilst it's important to have really good answers during the interview, panelists want to know that you will fit with the team, so make friends in the first 5 minutes of entering the interview.
6. Drink Your Water
If the Panel have offered you water, drink it - it's a way to show that you are comfortable in the situation.
7. Remember Their Names
Self-explanatory, if you can remember their names and you use them throughout the interview, you're onto a winner!
8. Ask For Clarification
There is nothing worse than answering a question in an interview and then realising that you didn't actually answer the question that they asked. If you have realised you've done this, let the panel know that you recognise you probably didn't answer that very well and ask them to repeat the question. Asking for clarification is a great way to let the panel know that you're not afraid to speak up if you haven't quite grasped something.
9. Relax
If you appear to be uptight, talking at a rapid pace, or your shoulders are close to your ears, these are all signs to the panel that you are not comfortable and can appear that you have something to hide. Drop your shoulders, take your time and you'll be fine.
10. Be Humble
Humility gets you a long way, whilst an interview is all about showcasing your skills, having the ability to admit your areas to work on will get you over the line (as long as your 'work-on's' don't outweigh your skills!).
I wish you all the best in your interview! If you think you might need a little extra help, I offer a full interview preparation service where I train you to go in a nail that interview.
You can click here to view the package.