17 Dec Interview Tips and Tricks
There aren’t too many people who enjoy going to a job interview, but with the right preparation, they can be enjoyable (yes, really!) and, overall, increase your chance of success. Here are our tips and tricks to help you put your best foot forward.
Before the Interview
Know Yourself: Thoroughly review your CV and practice your elevator pitch, highlighting your skills and experience.
Research the Company and People: Gain insights into the organisation’s values, recent news, their latest annual report and, importantly, the interviewers’ backgrounds (stalk them on LinkedIn and Google searches).
Understand the Role: Carefully read the job description and consider how your skills and experience align with the requirements.
Practice Interview Questions: There are usually two types of interview styles – behavioural interviews and conversational interviews.
Let’s focus on behavioural first
Behavioural interviews are traditionally interviews that focus on eliciting work examples. The questions may start with – “Tell me about a time when…..” “What best describes a situation where….”
Most employers ask these questions because the idea is that past behaviour and results will predict future behaviour. Through telling your story (sharing the example), they can really see how you work.
Here’s some sample questions to get you thinking!
Influence
1. Tell us about a time when you needed to influence a group with opposing views and gain a consensus.
2. What influencing strategies do you use – and an example of how you have applied these?
Stakeholder engagement
1. Can you share an example of how you keep your stakeholders abreast with the work you / the team are doing?
2. Can you share an example of a stakeholder relationship you had to work extra hard to build?
Communication
1. Tell us about a time when your attempt to communicate an idea or concept failed.
2. What’s an example that best demonstrates how you ensure your communication extends across your client group
Innovation / Change
1. Tell us about an innovation you have introduced that has positively impacted how people work.
2. Can you share an example of an improvement you introduced where others failed to do so?
Resilience
1. Where have the goalposts or deliverables changed, and have you had to reset them?
2. Where has your resilience (as an individual or a leader) been tested, and why?
Leadership
1. Where have you failed as a leader? What did you learn from this?
2. How do you motivate your people?
Conversational interviews are just that – conversations
Questions arising from conversation might be:
“So, what would you have done in that situation.” or “This is the current situation, how can you help us?” or “This is what our structure / our KPI’s / our incident data looks like now, what are your thoughts?”
Don’t get lulled into providing general answers to these questions – the trick is to still provide an example that demonstrates your experience in the area being discussed.
Practice Getting to Know You Questions
These don’t usually require an example as they are eliciting your motivators, but still require practice! A sample to get you practising is below:
- Why have you applied for this role? (tip: this is sooooo important to get right and the worst answer we’ve heard is ‘well I wasn’t looking, but the recruiter called me’ (that might be a fact, but the organisation wants to hear your genuine interest in the role)
- What value will you bring us? (tip: highlight 2-3 areas of your experience that align to the job)
- What are your strengths? (tip: add a blend of technical and personal strengths)
- What development areas are you working on? (tip: if you feel well rounded, focus on what you would like more exposure to in the next role).
- How would you map your first 60-90 days? (tip: remember to include getting to know your team and spending time with your boss!)
- What work environments/cultures do you thrive in? (tip: tie in your values that align to their values)
- How do you like to work with your leader? (tip: be honest to ensure the best fit)
- If you leave your current role, what would they say is your legacy? (tip: something tangible, not just that you are a caring and nice person).
Prepare Questions to Ask
This is where you can further demonstrate your engagement by asking insightful questions at the end of the interview question. (tip: follow up on things discussed at the interview too – e.g. if a project is mentioned, ask more questions about that). Other types of questions you might like to think about asking could be:
- What do you see as the immediate opportunities?
- Can you tell me a little about the safety team and their reputation in the business?
- What might I tell you about my observations of the safety culture?
- Can you tell me how involved the CEO/Board are in leading safety?
During the Interview
Dress Professionally and Maintain Eye Contact: Make a positive first impression with both your attire and body language.
Be Enthusiastic and Authentic: Show genuine interest in the role, the company and the people in front of you.
Active Listening: Pay close attention to the questions and respond thoughtfully.
Clear and Concise Answers: Provide specific examples to illustrate your skills and experience – and don’t waffle.
Ask Questions: Seek clarification if needed when you are asked a question.
After the Interview
Reflect and Take Notes: Jot down key takeaways and any questions you may have for a follow-up interview.
Follow Up: Call your recruiter with your feedback…or….if interviewing directly, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the position.
Final Word
By following these tips and tricks, you can approach your next interview with confidence and increase your chances of landing your dream job. Remember, preparation is key, so invest time in researching, practising, and improving your interview skills.
And we are here to help. If you’re one of our candidates on a shortlist, you’ll know we coach you just as much as you need, but even if you’re not, we’re always available.
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