Sydney Career Advisor, Tina Monk, outlines her top tips for job interview success.
Stuck in a job that isn’t you or maybe you feel ready for a career change? Your resume made an impression and you just got an interview for what could be your dream job? Good work! But how can we ace that interview?
Job interview preparation
A successful job interview is extremely important for you to get the job offer you are waiting for, and this is your chance to impress. Sometimes interviews can be a little intimidating, but in the end, if you are well prepared and confident, you will get that job offer. It may seem difficult, but changing jobs is fundamental for both personal and professional growth.
The key to job interview success is preparation
Knowing how to ace a job interview is something everyone can accomplish. The key is taking the time to prepare, and this might take a lot more than googling a list of common interview questions. A good first impression, a great knowledge about the company you are applying for, and, of course, knowing exactly how to point out that you’re the perfect fit for the job are key to a successful interview. By taking enough time to prepare, the interview process, which can be lengthy, will run smoothly.
You can always consider career coaching, you will get the guidance and all the support you need to overcome the challenges you’re facing in your job search and achieve your career goals. Career counselling aims to help you with choosing, changing, or leaving a career. When choosing the most fitting career or finding a new job becomes frustrating, the services of a career coach may be helpful.
Research so you know your audience
Start by learning everything you can about the company you are applying for, from as many sources as you can. Your first step should be research! You need to get a sense of “who” the company is and gathering information is essential to successful interview preparation. If you have good knowledge of the company, you will also have the possibility to ask your own questions about the job, which is an excellent way to impress the interviewer.
Talk to friends and contacts and spend some time on Google. Reach out to someone you know who works at the company, or who can put you in touch with a current or former employee. This way, you will gather information that can give you an advantage over the other applicants.
Learn as much as you can about the job you’re applying for!
Dressing for job interview success
It’s best to plan the perfect interview outfit and decide what to wear before the interview day. The first impression is very important, and what you wear is a big part of that. You want to make sure you look presentable and appropriate for the type of job you are applying for. Dressing a little bit more professionally than the dress code requires is always a good idea. You can indulge in a little pampering. Feeling good about yourself will enhance your confidence – and, as you already know, confidence is the key to landing your dream job!
The day of the job interview
Be punctual! Always be on time for the interview and being punctual means 10 to 15 minutes early. Try not run late because you’ll be stressed, and that’s no way to start an interview! Understand that the interview begins as soon as you walk through the door and it’s not only the hiring manager who makes the decision. Therefore, be polite to everyone you meet from the time you walk in the door to when you leave. The people you meet could be your future co-workers, so it’s best to make a good first impression.
Answering questions correctly
There are hundreds of different questions that could come up during your interview and answering them in the right way is a key part of increasing your chances. You can prepare yourself by rehearsing for some of the more common questions that could come up. During the interview, try to remain as calm as possible. Ask for clarification if you’re not sure what’s being asked and know that it is perfectly acceptable to take a moment to frame your responses so you can be sure to fully answer the question. It’s often best to answer briefly. Some questions shouldn’t take more than one minute to answer. Also, prepare some thoughtful questions of your own to ask the hiring manager. It shows that you’re interested in the job.
Tips for after the job interview
Once your interview is done, you want to thank your employer and send a thank you email the following day. Sometimes you won’t hear from the employer for many days after your interview, they might need time to finalise their decision.
The best thing you can do is keep applying for jobs while you wait for the decision. You shouldn’t wait around for one single employer because so many unexpected things can cost you the job or cause a delay in the process.
Don’t stop interviewing for jobs until you’ve signed a job offer!
Our Career Coaching Services
Our career counsellors, executive coaches and life coaches will work with you so you can find your perfect job. We’ll ascertain your unique personal style, the best work environment, your interests, skills and strengths to achieve career satisfaction. As trained and professional career consultants, we will help you with short and long term career planning whether you want to start a career, improve a current one or make a complete career change.
Our life coaches can help people of all ages and stages of life who yearn for more but are struggling to do it alone. Personal life coaching is for those who would benefit from a trusted life coach, confidante and mentor who will encourage and coach them and help them achieve sought after goals.
Take advantage of our complimentary career development and life coaching session to determine whether coaching is for you.