The interview process can vary between job roles – and that can make it hard to feel prepared on the day.
But by breaking interviews down into the most common stages, you can practice the questions you might get asked – and the answers that will make you stand out.
Think about who you are
Many interviews start with “Tell me about yourself.”
Even though this question seems simple, think about why you have been asked this.
Interviewers want to get a sense of who you are, what your interests are and whether you are a good fit for the business. Focus on personal achievements, hobbies and interests, and aspects of your personality that make you stand out.
Leave out information on your education and work history for now – this is a moment to talk about you.
Know the job description inside out
It is important to understand the job advert and how it matches with your skills and experience. You will be asked about times when you used a certain skill, so you need to have specific examples ready.
These examples can come from work or education, as well as moments in your personal life like hobbies or helping a friend. Transferable skills and personality traits are as important as qualifications.
Turn failures into successes
No one is perfect – and interviews will ask about something you found challenging or a time when things did not go well at work. This is to demonstrate how you cope in difficult situations and how you resolved them.
It shows your interviewers that you have learnt from the experienced too – and how it has influenced your approach to certain things moving forward. The key is to find the positive side of a negative experience.
Prepare your own questions
Interviews usually end with the interviewers asking if you have any questions for them. Responding with “No” can make you sound uninterested in the role, so it is important to prepare a list of questions to discuss.
You could ask about parts of the job role you are still unsure on or ask the interviewers what they enjoy most about the company – as well as times when they have experienced challenges at work.
It is also a chance to check things like start date or company benefits. You should also ask about the next steps in the hiring process, so you know what to expect and when.
Understand the interview process
Preparing for each stage of the interview process will help you to feel confident from the moment you walk into the room to that final handshake. Remember what makes you stand out – and what interests you the most about the role.
