There’s no point denying it; preparing for a job interview can be very stressful. Especially if you’re applying for a role that you have your heart and soul set on.
The key to success is, of course, planning and preparing in advance - but what do we need to do to ensure we’re ready for the big day?
We spoke to Clare Riding, Head of Careers and Employability Services at The Open University, and asked her to share her top ‘Dos and Don’ts’ to help you prepare for that all-important job interview and ensure you do everything you can to make it a success.
Here’s what she had to say…
Job interview tips: What to do
1) Prepare your job interview responses in advance
Preparation for an interview is absolutely essential. You need to check beforehand what the format of the interview will be, know what the job entails and decide how your skills and experience suit the role by checking the selection criteria or the job description.
Try to predict what you may be asked and draft suitable answers. Also have a think about examples from your study, work or personal life to demonstrate key skills and strength areas.
2) Research the company (and the job!) before the interview
You should research the organisation or sector before the interview. Begin with its brochure or website, try the professional body or trade association. Also, pre-interview you must prepare yourself mentally. Being in the right frame of mind will always help you to perform at your best.
3) Consider which job interview questions you will be asked
While there is no set format for job interviews, there are certain questions which always crop up.
Tell me about yourself
This is usually the opening question - and gives you a great chance to make a lasting first impression. Run through your current job / highest qualification, before running through your previous jobs, offering examples of achievements or skills along the way. Try following the same structure as your CV - and keep your answer under five minutes long!
What are your strengths?
Take a look at the job description and the candidate requirements to get some idea of what they’re looking for here. You can talk about your strong people skills, or your ability to speak about another language - but always explain how the skill relates to the job you are applying for.
What are your weaknesses?
This is always a tricky question, and one which cannot be brushed off with an “I have no weaknesses” or “I tend to work too hard”; the latter feels like a copout, the former sounds like a lie. Think about a weakness which you have taken steps to redress, and explain how you’ve done that.
For example: “I lack confidence when giving presentations, but I have been taking a public speaking course to improve this.”
Why are you the right person for the job?
Again, look at the job description, and write out a response to this question which addresses all of the candidate requirements. Give specific examples of things you have done well in your career, show off your biggest achievement, and finish with “given the opportunity, I could bring this success to your company."
Why do you want to work here?
It is a good idea to show that you are truly passionate about this role. Explain why you were drawn to it; give specific examples of things you admire about the company, explain how you would fit into the team (and what unique qualities you think you could bring to it), and make it clear that you would love the opportunity to work for them.
4) Prepare job interview questions of your own
Prepare one or two questions for the interviewers. Asking questions shows you have thought about the job and that you are interested in the role. You might want to ask about the following:
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Progression – what could I expect to be doing in two years time?
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Performance – how is this monitored or assessed?
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Qualifications – what further study could I do?
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Company culture – how would they describe it?
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Retention – how long do people tend to stay?
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Next steps – when will I hear if I’ve been successful in this process?
5) Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude
When answering interview questions be enthusiastic, but don't overdo it. Try to be positive in your answers and never dwell on the negative. If you have to deal with negative aspects, concentrate on what you learned from the experience and the benefits you took away from it.
Job interview tips: What not to do
1) DO NOT be afraid of silence
Don't be afraid of silence. If you need time to think about a question you could say 'I just need a few moments to consider the answer to this question'.
2) DO NOT be untruthful
Don’t ever lie in an interview. These mistruths often have a funny way of catching up with us so avoid running this risk and be clear and transparent with your prospective employer from the onset.
3) DO NOT turn up late
Prepare your route beforehand and work out exactly where you’re going, with timings and ideally time to spare on the day to allow for traffic problems or delays.
If you can, try and do a practice run as well to ensure your timings are going to work on the interview day. If you experience any difficulties on the day, call the team that you’re meeting straightaway to pre-warn them of this.
4) DO NOT avoid unclear questions
Always ask for clarification if it's not clear what is being asked. When you feel you've answered the question, stop speaking. If you are not sure if you've said enough ask them if they'd like you to say more.
Clare also suggested trying The Open University’s interview preparation activity for a detailed example of the sort of questions you could be asked.
For further information on how to prepare for that dream job interview check out The Open University’s website now.