Best Interview advice I could give from guiding over 300 candidates through interviews over the past three years...
1. Make them articulate the ‘best-case’ scenario for this hire. It forces them to frame in their minds exactly what they want from this, whilst subconsciously associating YOU with that outcome.
An example like the one below works well:
“All being well, and I was successful in this process, what would you need to see from me over the next 12 months that would make you think this was a good hire.”
2. An interview is 50% convincing them you’re competent enough to do the job and 50% professional speed-dating.
With most roles, there’s usually more than one person with the skill-set they need - they’ll end up hiring the person they like the most. If they don’t like you / feel indifferent towards you, they’re unlikely to want to spend 40+ hours a week with you. A simple LinkedIn / social media search can give you insight on what they enjoy outside of work. Find a way to organically bring this into the conversation and let them talk about it. Do this and you immediately move to the top of the list of people they’d want to work with.
3. You must prep. Extensively. No matter how senior you are, how competent you may be in the day-to-day, if you can’t SELL yourself, you’re unlikely to get the job.
People rarely rise to the occasion at interview, too often they fall to their lowest level of preparation. You’ll be put on the spot to articulate the value you can add in concise, data-driven and memorable statements.
You’re unlikely to instil confidence in a total stranger that you’re as competent as you know you are, if you can’t deliver these statements on-demand, with fluidity and without pause. Role-play with a friend, spouse or recruiter if you must, an interview is part performance, part organic interaction. I’ve met very few (including senior leadership) who can do this on demand. I’ve met too many, who underperform compared to their competency, simply from lack of preparation.
4. Show up early!! Early is on-time, on-time is late.
Stuck in traffic? Understandable! But you should’ve left earlier. TEAMS glitching and being slow to load? It happens! But you should’ve joined earlier. No-one will empathise more than me that things happen and life can get in the way…but the easiest way to mitigate surprises is being early. This is the 1st impression you’re making with a stranger. No matter how great you interview, showing up late can be hard to recover from…
5. Strike the balance between giving enough detail and not waffling.
A good tip is to keep a timer next to your screen. If you catch yourself talking for more than 3 minutes, bring your point to a close and ask them a question. Interviews should be a back-and-forth dialogue. If they’re talking at you or you at them, for too long, it becomes tiresome and dull – avoid this at all costs!!
6. If you can convince yourself this will be enjoyable...you might actually enjoy it. There's a reason they've decided to give their time to meet you, so take that for what it is and go in with confidence and positivity. This type of energy is palpable, and there's a greater chance your interview will be memorable which will go further than you think in progressing you to a final stage, then hopefully, an offer!
