Preparing for an interview is a critical step in landing a job. This process involves in-depth research, effective self-presentation, and leveraging the insights of a knowledgeable recruiter who knows the business intimately and can provide detailed insights for you into what they are looking for, and the challenges you can help to solve.
Here are our tips on how you can put forward your best self every time.
Researching the Company
Begin by understanding the company’s mission and values. A good place to start is on the company’s official website to familiarise yourself with their mission statement, core values, and long-term goals. This understanding allows you to align your responses with the company’s ethos, showing that you are a good cultural fit.
Dive deep into the company’s products or services. Knowing the details about what the company offers shows genuine interest and enables you to tailor your responses to how you can contribute to the company's success. If it is a large enough organisation, you can also take a look at recent news and developments about the company. Stay updated with press releases, news articles, and industry reports to understand the company’s current position in the market. Awareness of recent achievements or challenges demonstrates that you are proactive and well-informed.
Understanding the company culture is also essential. Sites like Glassdoor and LinkedIn provide insights into the work environment through reviews from current and former employees. You can also take a look at the company’s own career page on their website, which may have spotlights for current employees or information about their Learning & Development pathways. This knowledge helps you assess if the company is a good fit for you and prepares you to discuss how you can thrive in their specific culture.
Presenting Yourself
When it comes to presenting yourself, dressing appropriately is crucial. For traditional companies, business formal is usually the best choice, while business casual might be more appropriate for tech start-ups or creative agencies. If you are unsure what is the right outfit choice for your interview, you can take a look at the company’s social media or website where photos of employees are posted and take a look at what people wear when they work at the company. When in doubt, it is always safer to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.
Practice good body language to convey confidence and professionalism. Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and offer a firm handshake. These non-verbal cues are as important as what you say during the interview. It can be helpful to enlist a good friend to practice with beforehand. Confidence is a significant part of this. Thorough preparation will help you calm nerves you may be feeling beforehand and stop you from overthinking. You can also mitigate any stress by ensuring you arrive early and practicing breathing exercises before you walk in.
Prepare your responses to common interview questions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers to behavioural questions. This method helps you provide clear, concise, and impactful responses. Additionally, prepare a list of thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This demonstrates that you are engaged and interested in the role. Focus on the role, team structure, and company growth rather than salary and benefits during the initial interview unless the interviewer brings them up.
The Role of a Recruiter
A knowledgeable recruiter can provide invaluable insights into the company’s expectations. They are across what the hiring managers are specifically looking for and can guide you on how to highlight your skills and experiences that align with the company’s needs.
Recruiters can also prepare you for company-specific questions. Their familiarity with the interview process and types of questions asked can help you frame your responses effectively, ensuring you present your strengths in a way that resonates with the interviewers. Experienced recruiters will also offer feedback and coaching on your CV, cover letter, and interview performance. This preparation can refine your presentation and boost your confidence.
The insider information that recruiters have about the company culture, team dynamics, and specifics of the job role can be crucial in helping you position yourself during the interview. Additionally, recruiters act as advocates for you within the company. Their endorsement can significantly impact the hiring decision, as they can make a compelling case for why you are the best fit for the role.
Read more of Reo Group’s interview tips here.