"Good luck is when opportunity meets preparation, while bad luck is when lack of preparation meets reality." —Eliyahu Goldratt
1. Be prepared with knowledge of the company.
Safe Search will always provide- Job descriptions, websites and materials. Make sure you have read the job description and have thoroughly researched the company you are hoping to work for. If you show up with no knowledge, it shows a lack of interest and preparation, two things that will surely sink your chances of being offered the job.
2. Prepare a professional story.
After your initial pre-screen meeting with one of the Safe Search consultants, we will help you prepare an interest generating statement if you would like to use it on an interview (upon request) Your professional story needs to describe your greatest accomplishments and your best professional attributes. Keep it brief and memorable. While you don’t want to bore the interviewer with a long-winded story that isn’t relevant, a short answer that reveals nothing won't help either. So please keep professional.
3. Prepare impressive answers.
Ask your friends or family to help prepare role-related questions and have a small set of answers which you can develop when a related question is asked. Not every question you prepare for will be asked, and you'll probably get asked something you didn’t specifically prepare for. In this case, you will have to think of something on the spot or reword one of your answers to fit the new question.
4. Be prepared to talk about your failures.
The interviewer is not looking for perfection, so give examples of situations where you failed and how you managed to recover from this. These show that you are human and willing to learn from your mistakes. Nobody wants to hire someone who won't admit they have done wrong, someone who takes responsibility for their errors appears more attractive for a job.
5. Prepare examples of leadership and other job-relevant skills.
Think of some professional examples that demonstrate you have the skills required e.g when you lead a team successfully or effectively managed a complicated project. It's important to list your top skills on your CV, but they’ll look even stronger with a story of how you used them ready upon request.
6. Prepare your journey time and method of transport.
Arrive at least fifteen minutes early to give yourself time if there are any delays in getting to the interview. If you are travelling to a new area, consider doing a test run to make sure you have allocated enough travelling time. If it does look like you are going to be late, contact the company and let them know: a phone call is better than just showing up ten minutes after the interview was supposed to begin.
If the interview is online, make sure everything is working ahead of time to prevent any technical issues. This can be especially important for technology-focused roles, as you will likely be expected to be capable of using computers and something as simple as your zoom link not working gives a bad impression.
7. Be prepared to be asked about your past company.
Be honest and straightforward, but do not dwell on any conflicts that may have occurred. The interviewer will likely want to know why you left your previous roles, so you should be ready to explain. Be truthful about your reasons for leaving, even if it puts you in a negative light, and explain what happened without giving all of the details.
8. Prepare your outfit.
Appearance nine-tenths of the law! Wear professional clothing that is appropriate for the role you are interviewing for, and that you feel confident and comfortable in. Depending on the role and the company, there can be lots of different options, but above all, you should be smart and put together. Your behaviour, knowledge and attitude during the interview will decide whether or not you get the job, but having a good first impression can often improve your chances of being offered the role.
9. Prepare a few questions for the interviewer.
We love when you ask questions! Asking questions helps you gain useful information and convinces the interviewer that you are interested in the role. There may be some queries you have that weren’t addressed in the job description or the rest of the interview, and it's good to ask questions before you begin working for the company, as they may affect whether or not you want the job. Even if the questions aren’t hugely significant, it always helps to ask something when prompted, as it shows you are engaged with the interview.
10. Prepare to make a great first impression.
Be confident and polite, greet the interviewer with a smile. Your first impression is highly important when it comes to securing your dream job as it sets the tone of the interview. Your interviewer will change their behaviour and attitude according to yours, and while they should still be professional, the interview may not go as smoothly if you get off to a bad start.
Thank you for your time reading my tips and tricks for when you may be interviewing for a new career, I hope this can help.
I wish you all the best in your job seeking. For further tips and jobs opportunities please contact us:
+44 (0) 113 3508587
info@safesearchinternational.com
www.safesearchinternational.com
Written by Paige Pipe @ Safe Search International.