Six Tips for a Successful Interview
By S. Ritchie
It’s such a great feeling when you finally receive that job interview you’ve been hoping for. Of course, anxiety can also come along with the excitement. You get one shot at making a good impression, and what if you don’t do well? Interviews are stressful for even practiced individuals. Fortunately, there are several things you can do before, during and after an interview to make sure you enter prepared and leave confident.
Do your research.
Before your interview, deepdive into the company’s website, social media pages and press releases. Develop a clear idea of what they are all about, and what new projects or initiatives they have going on. Demonstrating a well-rounded knowledge of the company during your interview shows you are interested in the company and invested in its success. Plus, the more you know, the easier it will be to explain how you will be a good fit.
Anticipate behaviourbased questions.
A behaviour-based interview is when you are asked to describe specific instances where you demonstrated a certain skill or asset. For example, you might be asked to describe a time when you had to work under a tight deadline. Try to anticipate what behaviours the hiring manager will be looking for by looking for key attributes in the job description, and prepare one or two examples for each quality or skill (and don’t forget to practice).
Prepare for common interview questions.
There are countless books, videos and articles available to help prepare for common interview questions, such as “Tell us about yourself” and “Why are you interested in this role with our company?”. Create a list of questions you think are likely to be asked, and prepare your answers ahead of time. This way, you will be able to confidently and effectively answer them.
Think of your own questions.
It’s absolutely okay─and encouraged─for you to have at least one or two questions for your potential employer. This shows you are seriously thinking about how you would fit into the role. Take some time to think about what’s important to you. For example, if you are unable to travel for work, you should find out if a certain amount of travel is required before accepting the position. Some other questions could be “Can you explain what an average day/week would look like?” or “How would my performance be measured?”.
Practice delivering your answers.
It’s one thing to know exactly what you are going to say in your head and an entirely other thing to actually say it out loud. The more you practice your responses, the more clear and confident you will sound. Enlist a friend or family member to help you practice; record yourself and play it back; or interview yourself in the mirror.
Send a thank you note.
Send the interviewer a follow-up email 24-48 hours after the interview thanking them for the opportunity and emphasizing your continued interest in the position. The note should be customized to refer to something you discussed during the interview. This is also your chance to mention anything you forgot during the interview that could help them make their decision.