If you’ve ever had an interview for a job you’ll know how nerve-wracking it can be.
When you’re looking for a new job though, being asked to go along for an interview is all part of the process. And there are lots of things you can do before the interview that can hopefully make you feel a lot calmer and in control on the day.
Here are my tips for how to prepare for your next interview so you can really shine.
Fake it till you make it
I’m not talking about lying about how much experience you have, or the companies you’ve worked at in the past.
I’m talking about faking confidence, even if you feel really nervous.
Sometimes just acting as if we’re confident can give us a real confidence boost.
And if we go into an interview with an air of confidence then it will help convince the interviewers that we’re capable and well-suited to the job.
Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist, did a TED talk about confidence and power poses, and in that she mentions that quite often the way you act and the presence you bring to an interview counts more than the actual content of the interview.
You might not always give the best answers, but if you talk with confidence and seem comfortable and enthusiastic you’ll still come across really well.
Do your research
Have a look at the company’s website and get to know as much as you can about them. You’ll feel much more confident going in to the interview if you know a bit about the background of the company, what their main aims are and what the ethos is like.
If you’re looking for jobs in a new town then do some research into the area too.
So if you currently live in London but are trying to find jobs in Manchester, then spend some time researching what the city itself is like, and what the general work culture there is like.
Plan your outfit
Think about the job you’re going for, and dress appropriately for the interview.
For most jobs in the corporate world you want to look smart. So think knee length skirts or tailored trousers and a shirt or smart top. If you’re going for a more senior role then you’ll be better off going for a suit.
Give some thought to the colours you choose to wear too. It’s generally best to stick to classics like navy blue and grey, as they’re often associated with confidence and stability. You might be tempted to go for something bright, like red, to help you stand out from the crowd but it’s probably best to stick to using it as an accent colour if the job you’re going for is in a more formal environment.
Double check the details
Make sure you have the right date and time for your interview written down on your calendar or noted in your diary.
Plan how you’re going to get to the interview, and how long it will take you to get there. Make sure that if you’re driving you allow enough time for traffic, and think about where you’ll be able to park on the day. If you’ll be using public transport then check times in advance, and maybe think about getting a slightly earlier bus than necessary to allow for any delays.
Make a point of finding out who will be interviewing you so that you can memorise their names. You’ll make a good first impression if you use the interviewer’s name when you first meet them, as research has found that we feel more engaged with people when they use our name.
Prepare some STAR answers
A lot of interview questions will be along the lines of, “tell me about a time you…”.
So things like, “tell me about a time you worked as part of a team” and “tell me about a time your dealt with a difficult customer”.
Preparing some answers for these standard questions can help you feel much calmer on the day, rather than worrying about having to think of something on the spur of the moment. And the best way to put your answer together is to use the STAR method.
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result and these are the four points you want to cover in your answer.
If you’re asked the question about dealing with a difficult customer, you would need to describe the situation that you were in and the task you were trying to achieve. Then you would explain what action you took to resolve the issue and what the resulting outcome was.
There are so many behavioural interview questions you might be asked, that would require a STAR answer, so have a look online at various ones that might come up and prepare some answers.
Prepare some questions
At the end of the interview it’s highly likely that you’ll be asked if you have any questions, and most interviewers like it if you have a couple to ask.
It’s also a good idea to ask a few questions to make sure that you actually want to work there. Remember the interview isn’t just about convincing them to hire you, it’s a chance for you to find out if the job would be a good fit for you.
Questions about the culture of the company and what your day to day responsibilities would be if you got the job are always good, safe options.
Take notes
If you’re really worried that you’ll go blank in the interview, make a few notes to take in with you. There’s no rule that says you can’t do this, and many interviewers would be happy to see that you’ve clearly prepared for the interview.
You should also take along two copies of your CV, so you have one you can pass to the interviewer and one to keep yourself as another point of reference during the interview.
While we’re on the subject of things to take into the interview with you, it’s worth noting a few things you shouldn’t take in.
If you stop at the coffee shop on the way to the interview, make sure you finish your drink before entering the building, don’t take your cup into the interview with you. Don’t chew gum either, or take any snacks to munch on while you talk.
Go easy on the perfume or aftershave too.
Hopefully with all this advice you’ll be fully prepared for any interview and can go along feeling calm and confident and ready to shine.
Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post
