Nail your job interview with these handy hints

Preparing for a job interview can be daunting. It is one of the last hurdles standing between you and that dream job. Here, we’ve broken down some concise methods to help you dazzle your interviewers and demonstrate your best self and your achievements.

Presentation is key!

You want to make a lasting, positive impression. This starts as soon as you enter the building: allow plenty of time to arrive and collect yourself so you can walk in with a smile and a handshake (or a COVID-safe elbow bump).

Be professional, well-groomed, and wear business attire. In the words of Oscar Wilde: “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.”

Know the role and plan ahead!

Relate past experiences to key selection criteria and prerequisites ahead of time. This allows you to recall relevant examples and achievements to the top of your mind. Knowing a little about your interviewers can’t hurt either. It is a great icebreaker and allows you to gain a feel of the company culture.

Tackling interview questions can be challenging. Interviewers are always looking for a concise and relevant answer. The STAR method is tried and tested and will help you stay on track, framing relevant examples and situations in a logical way.

Situation: Describe a situation you were in.
A staff member was struggling with performance.

Task: Tell them what you decided to do.
I arranged a meeting with my staff member to discuss the issues impeding performance.

Action: Describe what you actually did.
I devised a performance uplift plan in collaboration with the staff member.

Result: Tell them what happened as a result of your actions.
Their performance improved dramatically. Wherever possible, relate your examples back to the specifications of the role in question.

Avoid generic terms and buzzwords.

Interviewers want to hear about how YOU, as an unique individual, are the ideal candidate for the role. Be specific in your answers and avoid using generalised buzzwords that don’t have much substance. Some examples include: “dedicated”, “motivated”, “team player”, “excellent communicator”, and “proactive”. If you plan on using generalised descriptors in your interview, back them up with relevant anecdotes.

Don’t be humble.

There is always a time and a place for humility but an interview is not one of those places. Avoid using ‘we’ when describing performance and achievements. Interviewers want you to take ownership of your accomplishments. If the accomplishment you use involved working in a team, be sure to focus on YOUR contribution and the impact your involvement had.

You want to flaunt what you’ve got and flaunt it well. Don’t be shy about your accomplishments. Your potential employer wants to know that you’ll be the right fit and that you can deliver something to the company, so give them all the reasons that you can provide that for them.

If you methodically prepare your relevant experiences and accomplishments ahead of time, it is easier for your personal brand to shine through during the interview.

Career insights from Johnson Recruitment

Johnson Recruitment is an independent recruitment and consulting firm specialising in the Community Services, Social Purpose, Health and Medical sectors, as well as in the recruitment of Practice Managers and support staff, across all sectors. Contact us on 03 9946 7320 or info@johnsonrecruitment.com.au to learn more about how we can assist you with a vacancy or new role today. Follow our LinkedIn and Facebook pages for more information and to keep up to date with the latest jobs, events and career advice.