Tell me your best job interview tips…

[pixietinkdust]

I’ve recently been looking for a new job, itchy feet at the old place and abit of lack of care for staff going on. Anyway, tomorrow I have a second interview for a pretty senior technology role in financial services. I know I can do this job with my eyes closed but I do have a habit of underselling myself or not necessarily bigging myself up as much as others can.

Anyone any tips on the best way to handle the interview/things to say/even the dreaded “buzz words” or phrases will do. I think I just need a bit of psyching up.

Research the company.

Make a list of things you achieved.

Put yourself at the centre of each answer 'I did this' not 'we did this'

Practice your answers out loud. Feels wierd but really helps

Dont sit down in the waiting area, stay standing or perch on the egde of the sofa arm. It puts you in a subconscious position of weakness/inferiority when they come to get you and they have to reach down to you to shake your hand or say hello.

Look over your CV very shortly before so you have dates, durations, key achievements mentally to hand.

Take a deep breath.

Pause before replying sometimes even of you know what you are going to say in reply so you don't appear too manic/scripted.

Have some questions prepared for the "is there anything you want to ask us?" part.

Think of some situations where you made a difference, did something successfully

What specific skills/attitudes will you be bringing that this company needs?

Have you researched their future plans &/or checked on Glassdoor?

Why do you want to work there/what appeals?
Can you see posts from the company or any employee on LinkedIn to give an idea of the culture?

What's the hardest part of your job?
What gives you most satisfaction?

Dress smartly, but be comfortable

Good luck!

If you get the chance to meet the other candidates, imply that you have the advantage in some way. I’ve done this in the past by chatting to existing employees in front of the other candidates in a friendly and relatively familiar manner so it could appear that I already know them; on another occasion my co-applicant (who I vaguely knew) said he thought he’d messed up one of the tasks and instead of saying, ‘I’m sure you haven’t’ or other reassuring words I said ‘oh dear, never mind, there are always other jobs’… Anything to suggest that you know you’re much more likely to get the job than they are… it’s evil but it really throws them

Go through the competencies in the role description and think of the questions they will ask to test whether you meet them - include examples from your experience for each

Think of answers to the following types of questions:

• why are you interested in the role
• what part do you play in a team/how do you contribute to a team
• how do you see your team contributing to the organisation's goals - what part would you play in helping them achieve it
• examples when you have solved a problem
• examples of when you have changed your mind on a subject, examples of areas where you have learned the most
• where are your weaker areas of the new role - how will you address them?
• if you will have any line management responsibilities - what is your management style; how have you addressed performance issues

Dont sit down in the waiting area, stay standing or perch on the egde of the sofa arm
Honestly OP if they show you to a waiting area with a sofa and instead you stand there for what could be 10 mins, they'll think you are odd.

@eeek88

If you get the chance to meet the other candidates, imply that you have the advantage in some way. I’ve done this in the past by chatting to existing employees in front of the other candidates in a friendly and relatively familiar manner so it could appear that I already know them; on another occasion my co-applicant (who I vaguely knew) said he thought he’d messed up one of the tasks and instead of saying, ‘I’m sure you haven’t’ or other reassuring words I said ‘oh dear, never mind, there are always other jobs’… Anything to suggest that you know you’re much more likely to get the job than they are… it’s evil but it really throws them

If you came into my place of work and spoke to other candidates like this we'd all be praying you didn't get the job

@Bouledeneige

Go through the competencies in the role description and think of the questions they will ask to test whether you meet them - include examples from your experience for each

Think of answers to the following types of questions:

• why are you interested in the role
• what part do you play in a team/how do you contribute to a team
• how do you see your team contributing to the organisation's goals - what part would you play in helping them achieve it
• examples when you have solved a problem
• examples of when you have changed your mind on a subject, examples of areas where you have learned the most
• where are your weaker areas of the new role - how will you address them?
• if you will have any line management responsibilities - what is your management style; how have you addressed performance issues

This.

Really consider how you would answer common interview questions (general and industry specific) I did 20 possible questions and answers recently. "Can you give us an example of a time when you..." is such a common question.

Good luck!

In addition to the above:
Take two or three spare copies of your cv to give to the interviewers in case any of them don't have any / picked up an old version from the database (happened to me)

Take a copy of your cv for yourself to refer to- you may wish to make notes/highlight areas to focus on

Always ask them if there's anything else they'd like to know/ if they have any doubts over your fit for the role

Find out how they see the role developing / how they would like to grow and/or tell them how you think the role could develop

If you're aware of anything that might have impacted the industry or business function, ask about it

Find out about the culture as much as possible (you're interviewing them too remember!)

Big smile, easy breathing, confident manner and own that room!

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Consider the psychological type questions, e.g. If you choose a biscuit, etc, then I'd focus on situational aspects of the particular industry and based around that, if possible before hand using social engineering methods, try to find out all you need to about the role, the people , ect, go deeper than just the website information, also read the companies accounts , if they publish them etc.

An interview is a two way street. They need someone who would be good for the team/workplace but you also want to see if you get a good feeling about the place, and them.

They hold most of the deck but not all.

@bonfireheart

Dont sit down in the waiting area, stay standing or perch on the egde of the sofa arm Honestly OP if they show you to a waiting area with a sofa and instead you stand there for what could be 10 mins, they'll think you are odd.

I disagree and have never sat down in any waiting area for any job - including my current one.

I also thinks it's really awkward when I go to pick someone up from reception for their interview and they have to fumble about heaving themselves out of a sitting position while I am standing over them.

I like to be calm and collected as I go in for an interview, not feeling at a disadvantage.

Is it online or in real life? Either way, smile, look engaged, be enthusiastic and look the interviewer(s) in the eye when answering. Try not and waffle.

The key to successful job interview is to be able to show what improvements in processes and systems you have made in your career .
Cross reference transferable skills against required skills and being able to show flexibility etc
Honestly it doesn't matter if you sit or stand up in reception, senior roles are about way more than superficial stuff

Be confident, picture yourself as someone at that company: what would their demeanor be like? How would they answer the questions?

Don't overthink it, I know I can psyche myself out. If it's tomorrow, I advise a good nights rest and don't look at this thread too much as it might make you feel overwhelmed.

If it's not already been discussed, it's a good idea to ask what they would like you to have achieved in the first 6 months - a year in this role. Shows you are thinking forward & practically.

Remember that you are there to see if you like them, just as much as they want to see if they like you. It's a two-way process, and thinking of it in those terms can help take the pressure off.

Oh, and you can definitely sit whilst waiting without being disadvantaged 😂 - normal people just stand up as they're approached