The Quick Guide To Help You Prepare For Your Next Interview
We’ve prepared the following interview guide to help you prepare for all the stages of the interview process. Follow our useful tips and learn how to capitalise on every opportunity and potentially land your dream job!
On average, job interviews last between 45 – 60 minutes which really isn’t a lot of time to prove your abilities and convince a company to hire you. Therefore one needs to be well prepared and think smartly.
We’ve broken down the interview process into 3 stages:
- Pre-interview
- During the interview
- Post-interview
The PR Projects’ team has over 46 years of combined experience in recruitment, and have listed some of the most important tips for candidates to remember throughout the process to avoid common pitfalls:
Pre-Interview Stage
So, you have the interview locked in and you are just patiently waiting for your time to shine. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your interview:
- Conduct detailed research on the company, including their past and current projects, mission statement, values, about the individuals conducting your interview and their role within the company.
- Analyse the position description and identify gaps in the business. This will help you answer commonly asked questions such as “Why would you be a good fit for the company?”. Preparing answers for common questions will showcase your ability to think quickly and will prevent you from choking on the day.
- Remember, you also need to make sure the company is a right fit for you. Prepare some thoughtful questions that you would like to ask the interviewer especially around culture, work ethic and staff activities.
- If the interview is being conducted online, set-up everything you need accordingly to avoid technical difficulties. It is best to do this 30 minutes before the interview begins as this will ensure that you are on time.
- Finally, dress appropriately and professionally for the interview. Incorporating some colour can also help you to stand out. This goes for both in-person and online interviews.
During the Interview
The time has come! You have done the necessary preparation and you are about to make your first impression to some important people. Here are a few steps to help you throughout the interview:
- Arrive 15 minutes early, you may need time to find parking and locate the correct building. Take a moment to relax and gather your main points then let the company know you have arrived.
- Ensure that you are organised, be polite and professional to anyone you come into contact with in the building. You never know if the person that you’re dealing with has a say in the decision making process.
- Accept offers of a beverage. A lot of candidates decline this offer, and here’s why it’s important to accept: some might view this as courteous, others might say that it shows the interviewer that you’re comfortable and confident. These reasons might be true, but accepting a beverage when offered in an interview will allow you to take a moment to drink and gather your thoughts when presented with a difficult question.
- Be honest throughout the interview. Answer all questions truthfully and stick to what you know. Remember that all weaknesses can be turned into strengths, so if there is a skill that the interviewer requires and you do not have, offer to learn the new skill. View this as an opportunity for your professional development.
- Ensure that you actively listen to the questions that are being asked. Take a moment to think about the question and answer all questions carefully and respectfully.
- When given the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions, have these pre-prepared and keep these between 2 – 3 questions.
Post-Interview Stage
The interview is now over, but you still have an opportunity to leave a good impression. Your emotions may be high during this stage, but it is important to stay focused and direct your energy towards the following steps:
- Send follow-up communication. Thank your interviewer/s for their time and express your interest in the role.
- Take a moment to reflect on the interview. It is important to be both honest and kind with yourself during this step. Were there any questions that you were unable to answer? Did you ask enough questions? How do you feel about the job? Is the company the right fit for you?
- Once you’ve taken a moment to reflect, take some time out to relax. The interview process can be extremely stressful, and it is important to clear your thoughts so that you can make a sound decision. Remember to stay calm, and wait for the company to respond. On average, we recommend giving a company roughly 1 week to get back to you. If you haven’t heard anything back after 1 week then we recommend you check in with the interviewer and ask for feedback. Try to not jump to any conclusions during this stage.
Summary
Interviews can be daunting, but with these useful tips you will be going into your interview confident and more prepared than ever. The pre interview stage should be used to prepare yourself accordingly to provide insightful answers to interview questions and leave a good impression. During your interview focus on being polite, respectful and engage in active listening to ensure that you understand the questions that are being asked. Once the interview is over, follow up and show the company your gratitude and express that you are still interested in the role.
That’s it! What do you think about these interview tips? Let us know if you’ve used any of these techniques in the past. If you’re looking for your next opportunity, take a look at our vacancies page.
