Ever felt those jittery pre-interview butterflies? Many people find the anticipation of a job interview to be nerve-racking, but when armed with the right strategies, you can navigate this challenging terrain with finesse. In this blog we provide top tips for preparing for interviews straight from our talented recruitment consultants.
Here, we dive into interview preparation, introducing you to the STAR structure—a powerful tool to structure your interview answers effectively, as well as guiding you through the research phase, helping you anticipate the common questions likely to come your way. Ever been stumped by a question? Our recruiters run into candidates having the same problem all the time, we’ll teach you how to handle unexpected questions with grace and confidence. And remember, interviews are not just about answering questions; they’re also about asking them. We’ll share the art of asking thoughtful questions that demonstrate your genuine interest.
Landing an interview for a job you’re excited for can bring out the nerves in the best of us, but with the right preparation and mindset we’re confident you can nail it! If you’re worried about how to approach answering questions in the interview, we suggest preparing some answers using the STAR structure.
First you should do some research into the role. Read the job description carefully so that you understand the requirements, and then from here you can consider what questions you may be asked during the interview. While you won’t be able to predict exactly what will be asked, there’s often a few common questions you can plan answers for. These are along the lines of; questions about your experience, what makes you the best person for this job, or questions about situations where you’ve overcome challenges or shown initiative.
Prepare answers for these questions using the STAR Structure, which goes as follows:
-Situation: Describe the context in which you performed a job or faced a challenge at work.
-Task: Describe your responsibility in that situation.
-Action: Describe how you completed the task or meet the challenge.
-Result: Explain the outcomes or results generated by the action taken.
Here’s an example:
Question: Can you give an example of a challenging situation you faced in a previous job and how you handled it?
S: In my previous role as a project manager, we faced a tight deadline for launching a new product at an industry event.
T: My task was to coordinate a team and ensure a successful product launch within a six-week timeframe.
A: I reallocated resources, streamlined processes, organised component delivery, and improved team communication.
R: We not only met the deadline but exceeded sales projections by 20% and improved team collaboration. This experience showcased my ability to thrive under pressure and deliver exceptional results.
We’ve all heard the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” but when it comes to job interviews, first impressions are everything! The first thing that can make or break an interview is dressing the part, make sure you dress professionally and show up looking neat and tidy. Look online at social media accounts to see if you can get an idea of the company culture and try match your outfit to fit the vibe of the organisation. If you’re having trouble figuring out what to wear, its better to be a little over dressed than to look like you just rolled out of bed.
Interviews are a chance for the hiring manager to get a look into who you are and what your personality is like. While job interviews can sometimes feel like you’re onstage with the spotlight pointed at you, it’s important to be authentic to yourself. While it’s important that you’re competent at the tasks required in the job and have the qualifications, you probably wouldn’t have landed the interview if they didn’t already think you have the experience and know how. Interviews are an opportunity for employers to see if you’re a good fit for the team, and if you’ve got the right attitude, so it’s important to relax a little, be yourself, and let your personality shine, confidence is key. If you put on a front, and act differently than you normally would, you risk coming off as inauthentic later on, or you may find yourself in an environment that isn’t compatible with your natural self.
When answering interview questions, don’t be afraid to give deep or complex answers. You should answer questions clearly and assuming the interviewer doesn’t know the first thing about your job. If a question isn’t clear to you, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. Taking a moment to come up with your answer shows that you’re a thoughtful and thorough.
An interview is not the time to show how humble you are. It’s your chance to highlight your greatest strengths, and why you’d be better for the job than anyone else! While you don’t want to come off as arrogant or overconfident, you should still have a think about your greatest career accomplishments, inside and outside or work, and show them off. Explain why you’re passionate about your work, why you’re so good at it, and how you’re motivated to do your best. The interviewers want to hear about how capable you are, and key skills that will help you thrive in the role.
Often times, an interviewer might throw you a curve ball that you weren’t ready for, like asking why you’re leaving your current job, or a question might come up that you simply don’t have a great answer for. Don’t stress, it’s very hard to be 100% prepared, and have a perfect answer for every question that comes your way. What’s important in a situation like this is not to panic, keep your answer concise, honest, and upbeat. Avoid dwelling on the negatives or placing any blame. Focus on your career goals and how this role fits into your journey. Don’t be afraid to state that you’re unfamiliar or haven’t had experience with whatever the question asks about. Honesty and integrity is important in interviews.
Don’t be afraid to flip the script and ask some questions of your own. This is an opportunity to clear anything up that you’re unsure about within the role and learn more about the organisation. More importantly, asking questions demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and the company. The interviewer will often ask if you have any questions for them, and if you have nothing to say here you run the risk of seeming not truly interested, or coming across like you’re not actually as knowledgeable about the role as you should be. Have a good think before going in about some good industry related questions, as well as some more personal ones about company culture. For example, you could ask what a typical week would look like, immediate projects that will be addressed, or where is the company headed in the next few years.
Remember, an interview is a two-way street. While the company is assessing you, you’re assessing whether this place is the right fit for you. If an interview doesn’t go as planned, maybe you weren’t the right fit and would end up unhappy with the role. Use setbacks as a learning experience and opportunities to improve your interview skills.
Thanks for your interest in what we do here at FIND. We love meeting and helping amazing kiwis every day and will always do our best for our clients and candidates. We've been simplifying the recruitment game since 2008, so don't hesitate to get in touch if you need our help!
