Interviews
Attending and performing well at interviews can be a daunting prospect. It is important to remember that an interview is not a test that you pass or fail, it is an opportunity to discuss your skills, experience and achievements.
Interview questions
The interviewer will ask questions about your skills and experience in relation to the job description.
Run through the job description and try and predict what questions they will ask. They may also want you to elaborate on an example you gave in your application so read over your job application.
It is always useful to prepare some answers about why you want the job, your biggest achievements and how your work experience relates to the role.
When answering interview questions is can be helpful to use the STAR method to describe your skills and experience.
Situation (How, who, where, when?)
Task (What was the task you were faced with?)
Action (What action did you take?)
Result (What was the result? And what did you learn from the experience?)
Remember: Don’t be afraid to take notes during the interview or ask for clarification on a question if you don’t understand.
Questions
Always draft up your own questions about the role and the company, taking time to think about how you see yourself in the job. This demonstrates that you have thought about the potential challenges you may face in the role and about the company.
Presentation
You may be asked to deliver a presentation. When preparing make sure you follow the brief provided, ask in advance how the presentation should be formatted (i.e. PowerPoint), and what facilities you will have access too.
Make sure the presentation is well researched and you refer to key documents, organisational strategies or key projects currently being run by the organisation.
Giving a presentation can be nerve wracking and people tend to talk faster and more quietly when they are nervous. The interviewer will understand that you’re nervous but remember when you’re the presenter, you are the expert.
Presentation tips:
Practice your presentation enough so you can speak clearly and confidently.
Access requirements
If you have any access or mobility needs and the employer hasn’t already enquired about them do not be afraid to inform the employer. It is the duty of the employer to provide reasonable adjustments for those will access or mobility requirements.
Video Interviews
Video interviews are becoming more and more common as they allow organisations to interview and vet candidates before meeting them in person. They can also be beneficial if you can’t travel to the interview.
There are usually two types of video interview
- Live / Skype interview
- Pre – recorded interview
A pre – recorded interview will usually ask you to record an answer to a given question and you will have an opportunity to practice, before submitting the video.
For both it is important to remember:
- To make eye contact with the camera
- Be mindful of your back ground and record your video against a white wall or tidy background
- Make sure you record in a quite room free from interruptions and with a strong internet connection
- Answer questions clearly and concise