Interviews: Five top tips that could help secure you the role
Let’s start with a couple of facts that you might not know. Fact number one, Employers scan any one CV for a total of six seconds.
Fact number two, people looking to change their careers apply for an average of 27 jobs in order to secure just a single interview. So, if you’re lucky enough to secure an interview, then good work! Now the real selling begins.
Competition for jobs is, and has always been high, and it’s up to you to show that you really are the right person for the role you’re being interviewed for. Showing charisma and enthusiasm are certainly essential in improving your prospects, but they’re not enough on their own to secure an offer.
To help you come off well, and be recognised as a memorable candidate, we’ve put together our top five tips to help secure you the role.
Research the company
Find out as much as you can about the company by researching them – take a look at their website, social media presence and even enter their name into a search engine and see what others have said about them. Look into the company history, how long they’ve been running, their values, and research some of their clients if appropriate. This will not only give you a great insight into their business and culture, it will also show your potential employer that you have a genuine interest in their business and the job role itself.
Practice and prepare
We’re all more than capable of pre-empting the classic interview questions, but you’ll be surprised how many people flounder when asked, ‘what relevant skills do you have for this role?’ Practice and prepare answers in advance for your interview.
Think of scenarios where you’ve made a difference in the workplace, memorise a list of key skills and attributes you have relevant to the role, and when asked ‘Do you have any questions?’ make sure you have some at the ready! These could range from questions about what your typical day will look like, who you will report to, how the role has come about in the first place, or something related to the Employer’s expectations of the successful Candidate. The list is endless but the point is to ask questions and in doing so you demonstrate your interest in the business.
Remember interview etiquette
It’s amazing how many people come off badly in an interview before it’s even begun. Things such as taking in your own takeaway coffee, wearing sunglasses, chewing gum, dressing inappropriately, or even criticising your current employer are all things that won’t work in your favour. Remain professional during the entire process and focus on the job at hand - impressing the employers will help you secure the role.
Take in a portfolio of previous work
It’s not always applicable to take a portfolio of previous work into an interview, but if you’re able to bring in anything you’ve worked on previously that highlights your skillset, then do it! This will make you stand head and shoulders above other applicants, in addition to showing far more preparation. Just ensure the work you’re showcasing is truly relevant to the role and most importantly looks professional.
Send a thank you email after your interview
Send a courteous ‘thank you’ email to your interviewer after your meeting. This email could be the difference between you or a rival securing the role if the competition is high. Keep the email simple and to, at most, five lines long. Try to send the email the same day as the interview… but don’t overdo it, this could also be off-putting for the employer. The email will also give you the opportunity to include your LinkedIn URL, to remind your potential employer of your skills and previous roles and to ask if the employer has any further questions for you, or if there is any more information you can provide.
More than 50% of successful candidates heard back from employers within a week, and 32% got the good news within two days. Keep these top tips in mind and you’ll flourish at your next interview. Happy interviewing and good luck!
If you are planning your career move in the next few months, get in touch with the team today. We take the time to really understand what you want from your move and match you to the roles that are right for you. We’re here to help.
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