How to shine in an interview

The most daunting part of the recruitment process is the interview, but it needn’t be. You can train yourself to be more confident in interviews. There are plenty of useful tools available online that will help you to shine and we have some tips, below.

Practice makes perfect.

Competency-based interviews are now very popular. These questions can often unnerve people, but preparing for all types of questions can go in your favour. During your interview, you can tailor your rehearsed answers to suit the type of question asked. Be prepared for questions on: leadership; being part of a team; dealing with conflict; going beyond the call of duty for a customer/client etc. There are also lists of competency based questions online.

Be a STAR.

Remember the ‘STAR’ technique. When explaining your answers in an interview, stick to ‘STAR’ which stands for ‘situation’, ‘task’, ‘action’ and ‘result’. When asked to explain about your past experiences or a situation you were involved, explain it clearly using this method. This what your potential employer will be looking for and using STAR also prevents you from waffling, as your answer will be structured. It not only demonstrates your suitability for the role but also how you deal with situations and reveals a little about your personality too.

Let your personality shine.

As well as convincing your interviewer that you can do the job; possess the right skills and experience; and are a “hardworking team player who copes well under pressure”, you also need to sell yourself and your personality in an interview. During the discussion, the interviewer is constantly gauging how you may (or may not) fit into the team as you are talking. They might be asking themselves ‘can I work with this person?’. So, be sure to let your personality shine during interviews, as well as your impressive skillset.

Make a good impression.

Making a positive first impression is very important – whether the interview is virtual or in person – what you wear and how you present yourself is very important. Dress for the job you want!