How to Perform Well in Interviews

Here’s an interesting fact that isn’t always discussed: sometimes, the person who gets the job isn’t the person who is right for the job; the person who gets the job is the person who is best at job interviews. Read this paragraph again and don’t forget it.

Steps

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   Be confident from the start. Your application was plucked out of many and considered one of the best. It will have taken them considerable resources to pick through the applicants searching for the right candidate. Before you even get there you know that your foot’s in the door. Things are in you favor; don’t forget that as you prepare.
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   Do some research on the company. (Google is your best friend here). Look at the company’s mission statement on their website. What is it that is driving them; what are their core aims; what is the ethos of the company? Remember, you are looking to fit this mould.
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   Remember the Job Description and the Person Specification? Dig them out. Get to know them again; they’re old friends. In the Application Form section we looked at how these documents tell you what the company is looking for. Revisit these documents. The mould is there for you to fit.
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   Remember how you copied your application form before you submitted it; go over it now and be familiar with it. The last thing you want is to see the interview each member of the interview panel with a copy of an application form you sent to them two months ago, the details of which you have no memory of. If you’ve been generous with the truth, keeping a copy of your application form will have saved your bacon. Take all your notes with you on the day. You may have time for revision

Method 1 of 5: Dealing with nerves

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   Expect nerves but also expect support. In many instances you’re going to be terrified. But that’s okay. It’s a job interview. The interviewer knows you’re nervous but they want you to do well. They’ve invested a lot of company time in recruiting. They want you to shine. There is nothing worse for an interviewer to see a dazzling application form and call someone for interview only to watch them fall to pieces before their eyes. Again: they want you to do well. Remember this.
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   See the interview as an examination. Treat it as such and revise. You want to be ahead of everyone else that applied. Your competition will not have prepared as meticulously as you have. This is your advantage.
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   If you’re nervous, take time to relax. Focus on your breathing while you wait. This can be more useful than revision. If you can relax a little you’ll think on your feet.
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   Pay attention to your surroundings, this could pay off in more ways than you think.

Method 2 of 5: The Interview Question

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   Calm yourself. Because you will be feeling nervous your mind will be running on double-time. Take your time. Breathe. Think about your answers. Rather take your time and give the right answer than rush and talk nonsense.
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   Know the answer to the fundamental interview question. The fundamental purpose of the interview is to ask one simple thing: “Why should we give you a job?” Good question. And why should they? You need to let them know that you are passionate:
   • “…I enjoy working with people.”
   • “…I have a great respect for this company.”
   • “…I have always been passionate about…”
   • It’s fine if you have lifted these ready-made-phrases directly from your application form because that will show consistency.
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   Try visualization to overcome nerves. If you get nervous you may talk nonsense. Imagine your answers as aiming at a bullseye on a darts board: if you aren’t hitting the bullseye you’re wasting your time. You have two options if you start to talk nonsense: first, stop yourself, smile politely and say, “I think I’ve answered your question. Second: Take a breath and get back on track. Either way they’ll appreciate your openness.

Method 3 of 5: Weaknesses and Strengths

People always worry about this one. “What if they ask me what my weaknesses are?”

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   Change the approach. It’s a bit of a cliché but that’s not to say that this question is never asked. The trick here is to turn your weakness into a positive:
   • “I always lacked confidence so I joined a public speaking course two years ago”
   • “I can be obsessive about detail but a little bit of that can go a long way.”
   • “I sometimes struggle to let go of a project I’ve worked hard on when it’s time to hand over to others”
   • It can be a tight-rope walk answering this sort of question without sounding smarmy so have a good think and make sure your answer really reflects who you are. If your weakness-to-strength story is a real one from your life you will sound sincere and open.

Method 4 of 5: The Final Question

The final question tends to be, “Do you have any questions for us?” This can really throw people.

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   Think of things to ask. While you were waiting to be called you may have had a look at your surroundings. You could ask: “While I was waiting I noticed that….?”
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   You may want to ask a functional question about shift-patterns, uniforms or opening times.
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   You may have gleaned some information from the website: “I see you are expanding into…will this be a new focus…?”
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   You may simply want to ask them when they will be making their decision about the vacancy you are being interviewed for.

Method 5 of 5: Be remembered

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   Always engage the interviewer/s as you leave: use eye contact and thank them for their time.