So you're looking for a job! You've managed to create yourself a fantastic resume that will separate you from the crowd. You have just submitted it to a few companies you have always wanted to work with, as well as online through your favourite employment website. The phone calls start coming through, and you've just landed yourself two interviews for Monday morning!
So what do you do now?
You do what 95% of others in your situation would do and type in "interview questions" and "how to answer interview questions" into Google don't you! This is all good and well, but the result is that in the eyes of the interviewer, everyone begins to sound the same, like robots!
So how do you give yourself that advantage?
The majority of websites will tell you to prepare with some answers that cover your strengths, your weaknesses, how you would cope under pressure, what you would do in an awkward or confronting situation etc etc etc. These are all great things to have gone over, however don’t take them as the 'be all and end all' of your interview. There is much more to an interview than a few ‘one liners’!
Below are a few ideas that are slightly "left of centre" and will put a different spin on your interview!
A simple and quick advantage can be gained by visiting a few websites. Ideally you will know the name of the company, so jump on their website and do your research! Next, do a Google search of the industry and see if you can find who their nearest competitors are.
Knowing who their competitors are, and what they are doing will give you a better understanding of how the company can benefit from having you as their next employee! For example, the companies’ competitor may be venturing into an industry that you have had experience in, and you could potentially help the company move into that industry as well. Don’t be afraid to throw the idea around if the opportunity arises!
First impressions last! We all know this, but how can we prepare ourselves to make that vital first impression a genuinely good one? Should we have a joke prepared? Do we want to shake hands in a particular way? Is it all about our body language and how we present ourselves?
Trying to predict the first 10 seconds of your interview is a sure fire way to get yourself so worked up that your nerves get the better of you and destroy your chances!
The key is to relax, focus, and be yourself!
Keep your thoughts focused on what people are saying and listen! Don’t let your mind wonder and think “should I be doing this…” or “should I have said that…”.
Stay calm, be yourself, and take questions as they come!
Once you’re in your interview and have settled into the nitty gritty of things, do your best to take the attention away from you and your WANTS and DESIRES, and towards the needs of the company and how you will be able to meet and exceed them. Details about your salary, your exact hours, the perks that you will receive and the span of control you will have are important, but can be addressed before you sign on the dotted line!
Too many people get hyped up in thinking that they must lay their ‘demands’ on the table in their first interview, or they will go unnoticed! Truth is, if you genuinely bring to the company what you say you do, they will want to secure you as their next star, and will offer you what they are able to!
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