A Guide to Successful Interviewing

For many people, job interviews are nightmarish occasions, often involving considerable discomfort and trepidation, which is perfectly understandable. You are after all subjecting yourself, your skills and your personality to judgment in a situation where there is a very real possibility of out-right rejection. In order to give yourself the best chance of success you need to prepare properly. Here are some of our best tips to help you with your next interview. 

Understand the Interviewer’s Job:

The interviewer is responsible for assessing:

• ‘cultural fit’ - your compatibility with the organisation, team and the role;
• your competencies - how capable you are of performing the job tasks; and
• your motivations for applying.

Preparing for the Interview:

• When you’re invited to attend an interview, make sure you ask questions about the format of the interview, how many people will be interviewing you, their names and positions and what you need to bring.

• Find out information about its services/products, clients/customers, structure, mission/strategy, competitors, systems and technology. Be prepared to answer the question: ‘What do you know about our organisation?’
• Review your application and analyse the position description and selection criteria. If you know what the role involves, you can prepare your stories and examples.

• Make a list of potential questions based on the job requirements. Prepare answers which demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience meet those requirements. For behavioural questions, use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to structure your responses.
• Know your resume backwards. Interviewers are especially likely to ask about any gaps in dates, relevant experience and unique hobbies or interests.
• Prepare some of your own questions for the interviewer eg induction process, cultural fit, work-life balance, professional development opportunities, next steps.

• Role-play the interview with a friend, video yourself or practise in front of the mirror.
• Try relaxation techniques such as breathing, visualisation and power posing to ease feelings of anxiety.
• Plan your journey so that you arrive 10-15 minutes early.

During the Interview:

• Be confident. Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake.
• Remember the interviewer’s name and use it during the interview and in follow-up conversations.
• Use open body language and be authentic and enthusiastic.
• Express your thoughts succinctly. Take your time to think through a question and make sure your answer is on point.
• Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question.
• Thank the interviewer(s) for their time.

After the Interview:

• Send a