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Ace Any Interview with These Tips

Finding the right job has never been more competitive than it is now, so any missteps during your interview can easily count you out of the running, whereas being prepared and interviewing well will push you closer to the top of the pile.

If you are in a group interview, being the one with the correct answers will help you stand out from the crowd. In one-on-one interviews, where the average meeting could easily take an hour, preparation will help make sure you don't run out of things to say or answers to give.

Here are some tips to help you do better:

Research the Company

While New Pathways will brief you with an overview of what the company does and the responsibilities of the position you are applying for, digging deeper will undoubtedly benefit you. With information freely available online, researching the company, its history, what it stands for, and learning about the areas they are involved in is very useful.

This might not seem relevant if you are interviewing for a position in an industry where you are experienced, but finding out who their main competitors are and other relevant information, such as any recent news articles, will show the interviewer you are not there to make up the numbers.

Company websites and social media accounts are a great way to find good information and give you ideas for questions to ask during the interview.

Being Prepared

The interview is your chance to bring the qualities you reported on your CV to life and highlight the skills, experiences, and qualifications you have that are relevant to what the employer is looking for.

Here are some interview questions you could be asked:

This is your chance to shine and show your qualities, strengths, and achievements relevant to the new job.

Share stories that highlight previous successes, achievements, and experiences.

Convey your interest in working for the company with the information you discovered in your research and by highlighting the positive aspects of your career goals and values.

Instead of being negative, always focus on wanting more responsibility and new challenges.

Answer in a way that shows your ambition in a way that is relevant to the role and company's goals.

Find out what other people in similar roles are being paid and suggest a salary range based on that and any experience you already have.

Share minor weaknesses that don't directly impact the job, and explain how you're working on improving them.

Share qualities mentioned in the job ad, such as reliability and determination, and how those traits will benefit you in your new role and the company.

Discuss your tasks and how you plan, organise, and approach your everyday duties.

Show your interest by asking about the position you are applying for and the company in general. As examples, ask what the most important qualities are for the position and the size of the team you would be working with.

Checklist Essentials

Also, after the interview, let New Pathways know how it went so feedback can be given to the potential employer and your interest can be communicated to the client.

Reaching Your Destination

Ensure you know exactly where you are expected to report and plan how to get there. Is there any parking nearby or public transport? Plan out your journey in advance so you are not late, and make sure you know the name of the person you're meeting. Always arrive a few minutes early and be polite to everyone you meet– you never know who they are.

What to Wear & Bring

Wear clothes that are appropriate to the position you are applying for, or better, and make sure you have a notepad and pen. Also, make sure your mobile phone is switched off or muted to prevent interruptions during the interview.

Non-Verbal Communication

Make positive eye contact (without staring), give a confident, firm handshake, maintain good posture and show interest in the conversation with your body language.

Finishing Up

Ask about when you should expect to receive a decision or when there will be a further interview to ensure you are not left hanging. If you are unsure how to answer a question or what the interviewer is asking, be honest and confidently admit it. Positivity, confidence, and honesty are big plus points.