It’s almost certain that we have all been there. Whether you have just started your career, been employed for many years, or owned your own business and now considering a new employment opportunity. To get to that next step and achieve your goal of a new career move, it takes a few interviews. Whether it is face-to-face or online/Video interviews, we get it. It’s a whole process!
People have mixed feelings about their interview processes and it’s very personal to each. It can be tough, time-consuming, and sometimes, draining. It doesn’t need to be though!
We can turn the interview process into a positive and enjoyable task by approaching it from another angle.
For today’s blog, we thought it would be a great idea for our team to give you advice on how to prepare for your interview.
So you received the email, you’ve accepted the opportunity, our client has reviewed your resume and it’s now your time to shine!
Ok, but wait, let’s rewind a bit, as there are a few things you really should be doing before the interview.
Preparation
We cannot say this enough: Go over the job brief! Sounds like a given right?
Sometimes, with so many different job briefs being looked at, you could end up getting some roles and responsibilities mixed up.
We will ensure that you are aware of who the hiring company is so that you can spend time going through their website, as well as ‘Googling’ the company for any articles, award wins, pitches, etc.
We will guide you through this process.
Don’t stop there. Check out the company’s social feeds to find out a bit more about its culture or what they post regularly about. Even better, get in on the conversation.
Here are some simple tips: We like it if you do ask questions when you have the opportunity. This shows your interest in the position and that you have done your homework. Have 2-3 questions prepared to ask the hiring manager, so that when they ask you if you have any questions, you do!
Also, remember that this is the time to ensure whether this is a match for you or not. You are interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you! Use this time to ensure you absorb as much information about the opportunity, so you can make the right call!
Further, make sure to research some questions that you feel you may be asked or any questions that you may have stumbled on in the past. Some questions seem easy; however, we all get flustered when we talk about ourselves. A question that all of us find difficult is: (we recently did a survey on this with our LinkedIn post) Tell me about your weaknesses.
Strengths are pretty easy to talk about, but this question usually gets everyone thinking.
Some more advice is to check out the Interviewer’s details on LinkedIn to familiarize yourself with them and see a bit of their experience. This could help you feel a little more relaxed and feel that extra bit prepared. Even something as simple as taking a look at the Recruiter or Hiring Manager’s profile picture could help you to feel more at ease on video or face-to-face, as you will be dealing with a familiar face.
The Interview
Right, the big day has arrived. Breath! And relax… but not too much!
Tip 1: Be enthusiastic and get excited, but most of all, be yourself!
Ensure your internet connection is stable and you have at least one hour of uninterrupted time. Be completely ready 10-15 minutes before the start of the interview to make sure everything is working; check that your background is not too messy, and your lighting is reasonable.
Now, we know you are more than likely at home, but dress to impress, not only does it make an impression but helps with your self-confidence and can change your mindset in an instant!
Another top tip we have and it may sound really weird, but put aftershave or perfume on. A scent sends signals to our limbic system which is the sector of the brain that control memory and emotion. It’s been proven that a scent produces positive emotions and have been proven to lower stress levels and improve your overall outlook!
During the interview, be enthusiastic, but don’t rush things. Think before you answer a question and be honest about your experience and your strengths and weaknesses.
Right, the interview is done, now what?
The Follow Up
It’s always a good idea to send a follow-up ‘thank you’ email immediately following the interview — even an informational interview.
Take the time to really think about whether this is a match for you and what you are looking for in your future. A career move is a big deal, and you may also have just been on a bunch of interviews. Think of the pros and cons and the reason why you were looking at something new in the first place.
Now the rest of the advice is ours, but here we wanted to see what ‘others’ thought.
Glassdoor recommends sending an email within 24-48 hours. If you still haven’t heard from the company in 7-10 days, it’s probably safe to send a follow-up email.
We at The Talent Boom will always strive to navigate through this process with you and you can be ensured of confidentiality toward your current employer on top of that.
Contact us at hello@thetalentboom.com and let us know if you are looking for something new.
We are a head-hunting firm, however, at times we do recruit from a pool of talent.
We advertise our available posts on our social feeds, so be sure to check these out with the links at the bottom of our web page.
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