Top Six Tips for Interview Success
Things I really want to tell interviewees.
The views expressed in this article are my opinion only. They do not reflect the views or opinions of my readers, sponsors, employers or any other entities I may be associated with. Please always consult a professional to assist with your unique situation.
I’ve been through many interviews in my 30+ year career on both sides. These are some of the things that not only made me successful in the interview process, but that I’ve observed the most successful candidates practice as well.
Complete the Video Interview
Many employers may be using one-way video interviews to replace the traditional phone screening. These consist of a series of questions that you answer (don’t worry, you typically have a minute or two to prepare) and your answer is recorded. This frees up time for the recruiter and hiring manager to identify and focus on the candidates they want to see.
TIP: Check your spam folder to make sure it didn’t accidentally land there and complete it in a timely manner.
Treat the Video Interview Like a Live Interview
The video interview is a chance for employers to get a feel for how you present and express yourself as well as assess your interest in the role. Candidates that are considered for the next phase have a clean, professional background, good lighting, and are well-groomed. They also give clear, concise answers to the questions presented.
TIP: Sit in front of a blank wall or make sure the room behind you is clean without anything to take the focus off of you. Comb your hair, put on a nice top, and smile!
Demonstrate a Real Desire for THIS Role
When someone is looking for a job over this job, the interviewer can sense it. Do some research on the company and be prepared to express why you chose this role, and this company. Do the company’s core values resonate with you? Are you excited about the product the company offers? Do the job duties align with something you love doing? Talk about it!
TIP: Peruse the company’s website and learn more about what they do, how they do it and relate that back to the things that made you want to apply for the role in the first place.
Make Notes
It’s really easy to do a search for top interview questions for your field. Take a moment to do that and jot notes to help you formulate your answers. For example, if you’re interviewing for customer service, jot down notes about how you handled difficult customer interactions, or made a quick decision without running it by a supervisor. Just don’t script yourself or you will come across as disingenuous or robotic.
TIP: Most interviewers see notes as a sign of preparation and won’t frown upon you consulting them during your interview.
Have Very Specific Examples
When asked for a specific example of when you encountered a certain type of situation be as specific as possible. This ties back into my previous points about researching interview questions and making notes — it’s easy to get nervous and forget! If you’ve never encountered a situation, preface your answer with “I’ve never had that happen to me before. If I did encounter that, I would…” This shows that you’re aware of what could happen in the field and you’ve mentally prepared yourself for it.
TIP: Choose examples that are relevant, be specific and express them clearly. These are not only meant to gauge your experience but also assess your communications style and ability.
Ask Questions
The interview is as much for the company to assess you as it is for you to assess them. Someone that doesn’t have any questions at the end of the interview is a red flag to many interviewers. This can signal a lack of preparation or even a lack of interest in the role. A quick internet search of “best questions to ask an interviewer” will give you some great ideas. My favorite questions are around a day in the life of someone doing the job, expectations for someone new to the role in 30, 60, 90 days, or asking the interviewer something they love about the company or their team.
TIP: How an interviewer answers these questions can help you decide if this company and this role are the right fit for you.
While there are never any guarantees with any interview tips, I hope that these will help you approach your next interview with confidence.
What are some of your favorite interview moments?
