1. Preparation
Following these key points, you will significantly increase your probability of getting your dream role.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ― Benjamin Franklin
2. Presentation
Female - Office attire such as a skirt, dress with stockings, trousers, blouse or smart top, polished shoes, neat hair, professional makeup.
Male – Office attire such as a suit, trousers, shirt, tie or polo top, polished shoes, clean-shaven or trimmed beard, fresh haircut.
If attending a pre-recorded or live video interview, present as you would for a face to face interview ensuring that the area around your presents as you would like to be presented.
3. Punctuality
If you have to, do a trial run to the interview.
Allow extra time for any traffic and or other unexpected delays.
If you arrive early, do not go into the interview until 5-10 minutes before it is due to start.
For video or telephone interviews, ensure you download and test any links to Zoom/Skype or any other video interview tools. Sit in a quiet place 5-10 minutes before, have everything you need in front of you.
4. Hygiene
Avoid having a cigarette or coffee right before the interview and, avoid walking in the heat, take an Uber if you need to. Have some deodorant/perfume and mints to freshen up before you go in. If attending a video interview ensure the area around you is neat and presents well.
5. First Impressions
The way an interviewer perceives your body language can make the difference between receiving a lucrative job offer or not.
If completing a video interview, ensure you are sitting comfortably with no background noise or other distractions.
We have included a short video interview on body language. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfRznjzWxJg
6. Research
Check out their website and social media,
Look up the interviewer on LinkedIn,
Why do you want to work for the company? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDAgcUJrk4
If you have a video interview, make sure you clear away all interview notes an interviewer will know if you are reading and it will affect your performance.
7. Role Requirements
Go through the position description and highlight all the requirements of the position.
Identify what transferable skills you have that meet the position requirements.
Ensure you highlight these skills as part of the interview process.
8. Sell Yourself
Tell me about yourself and what are your key strengths are questions that people can struggle to know how to answer. You must answer these questions well to stand out from the competition as if you are not able to demonstrate why the employer should hire you, why would they want to hire you?
Below are some sample answers;
Tell me about yourself? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4wmwRsnpQQ
Why should we hire you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqHhjtc5fe8
What are your strengths? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpjD2Osnivw
9. Interviews & Questions
Here are some tips;
Phone Interview - How to prepare for a phone interview? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P_5w2g8CfM
One on one face to face - Top 21 interview questions for 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE5a1mmVJD4
One on one competency and behavioural questions - Star technique tutorial -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZHDye_Oscw
Guide on how to answer difficult competency-based questions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG62DsJo3ZQ
Skype/Video Interview -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMZUHsa9heg
Unlikely in the current climate, for future reference;
Group Interviews - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlC0uBkiY_U
Assessment Centre Interviews - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIeMy_QQ61s
10. End of the Interview
Interview question ideas;
Thank the interviewer for their time, establish the next steps and, send a personalised thank you message.
"I will prepare and someday my chance will come" - Abraham Lincoln
Sweven Talent Management