Back in the office after the New Year break – time to think about job applications and interviews? Since I’ve been a coach this has been one of the areas that I am constantly asked to help with so I thought I might share some tips for those of you preparing for interviews based on my personal experience. Do these tips work for you? What others would you add?
- Prepare, prepare, prepare. I have frequently spent 10 or 15 hours preparing to be interviewed. I have found that it really pays off. You’ll arrive more confident and be able to answer the questions much better. Just by showing you have taken the trouble to get to know the organisation you will already be demonstrating your commitment. The interviewers will like this.
- I usually take into the interview prompts on postcards . This helps if I am suffering from nerves and suddenly forget something. It’s not a sign of weakness but it does show you are prepared.
- The more the interviewers see that you are able to fulfil their aspirations for the post and make a really positive impact over and above just meeting the job requirements, the more likely they are to select you. To achieve this, find out as much as possible about the unit/department/organisation you are applying to. What are the organisation’s goals? What is its strategy? What challenges might they be facing? If you know anyone who is working there who is likely to know about the job, try to speak to them in advance. Ask the recruiters for relevant strategy documents and reports: they are usually fairly willing to supply these if you can’t find them online yourself. What information can you glean form their website, from press coverage, from external ratings of the organisation etc? Think how you can use these insights in your interview:-
Can you select aspects of your work to talk about that are relevant to their strategic direction?
Can you show you have addressed some of the challenges they face?
Try to use some of the language used in the organisation’s documents, this also will help them feel you are already one of them.
4. Research who is on the interview panel and think about what their interests and priorities may be. Be sure to establish good eye contact with all interviewers and engage with them. If there is one person who is likely to have much more power and influence on the hiring decision consider aligning your answers with their priorities and interests. This has its risks but it’s worth a try.Use the last couple of minutes before the interview to centre yourself. Take a few deep breaths and focus solely on your breath. This has a strong calming effect.
5. The beginning of the interview is really important. The first question is usually ‘why do you want this job?’ This question is intended to be a straightforward question that will help the candidate settle down. However, in practice, I have found that it can be a very telling question. It enables interviewers to check you have understood what the job entails and, critically, whether you have realistic expectations. Employers are wary of employing someone whose expectations are too high as they fear they may become bored and leave. This is also an opportunity for you to shine and show a depth of understanding in the job.
Answers can be a combination of the following:-
- why you have the right skills set for the job
- why this is the right next step in your career
- why the job appeals to you personally (this could be something about the organization or the job content you particularly like).
6. Many interviews are competency based, i.e. based on your knowledge, skills and experience, and they proceed positively rather than negatively – that is, the interviewers’ questions will be designed to find evidence that you fulfil the competencies set out in the person specification of the job description. The questions will not be designed to trip you up. Go through these competences and prepare an example for each in advance of the interview (at least for the Essentials in the job spec.) Answer with the STAR structure:-
What was the situation?
What was the task I was required to carry out?
What action did I take?
What was the result/outcome?
This preparation takes time but it is worth it. You can reuse or rework the examples you have already used in your job application. I never assume the interviewers have read and remember what was in the job application. Remember to speak with passion and pride about what you have achieved.
7. Practice your answers with a friend or better still a coach. The latter will both challenge and encourage you. This will improve your answers and give you confidence.
8. Take your time to answer. Silence for a few seconds is OK – it will likely feel longer for you than for the interviewers. Don’t panic if you can’t come up with a good answer immediately. If you think of a better response later add it at the end of the interview.
9. Prepare a couple of questions you would like to ask: there is usually an opportunity at the end of the interview. Remember:-
10. Job interviews are a two way process – they not only help interviewers to decide whether they want to hire you, but they also help you decide whether you want the job. You can use your questions at the end of the interview for this purpose.
Lesley Hayman Executive Coach 