Have you been invited to a job interview? Brilliant news! This means there was something in your CV the hiring manager liked. And now you need to sell yourself in the interview process. The important thing to remember here is that the interview is a two way street. You also must be sure you want to work at that company.
We would like to help you to prepare for your job interview by giving you some actually useful tips. So you can get a better (job) deal than Theresa May.
Effective job interview tips
1. Use “I” not “We”. Your interview needs to highlight what you have achieved in your career, not what your team has done. And prepare some figures / percentages that clearly show your contribution at your former job.
2. Ask pertinent questions about the company and the job. This could be related to the company’s growth plans, recent news about the company or the economic factors that may alter your opportunities. The employer will want to know you have looked at the company and you are really interested in working there.
3. Use short and concise answers, unless it’s a longer subject. Punchy and to the point, your answers should be around 30 seconds to 1 minute long, except in circumstances that require you to explain what you did in a certain project or situation. Be mindful and try to cut out the waffle. Just talk about the point in which they have asked you about.
4. Getting ready for the job interview implies research. You already know it, but you must make sure you anticipate and prepare to answer to all their questions as best as possible. And if you like the employer, remember you have to go there with a very clear image of your selling points. You should have a short list of three to five selling points in your mind. If you would be the employer, what would you ask a candidate? What can you bring to the company? Why are you a better fit than the other candidates? They may even want to know some succinct examples from your career.
5. Video interviews are becoming more and more popular for first stage interviews. We use video interviews here at Marton Recruitment, and we can speak from our experience when we say that candidates can be caught out by not treating it as an interview still. That means you should still be dressed formally and not slouching in your chair because you are at home (this also applies to telephone interviews). We have heard many stories where candidates have been rejected after the video interview because they did not come across professionally…
Sharpen your negotiating skills
If your first or second job interview pushes you to a potential negotiation over your salary or the benefits you are looking for, then think about what to include so you can show your value. And get the best job deal for you. What could bring more flexibility on the part of your prospective employer? What can you bring extra to the table?
If the employer can understand you can be an investment, bringing benefits and expansion to the business, there is a much greater likelihood that they can offer you what you are looking for. Use your experience, personal examples and figures. Offer an outstanding delivery of your selling points in order to make sure your job deal comes to fruition.
If you want to be a good negotiator, whether it’s a job or something else, start to use your skills and practice in your everyday life. Make sure you are negotiating your salary and benefits with the right person, don’t waste your time with someone without enough authority. See what selling techniques worked for you, and what feels most comfortable.